We Stand with Survivors In October & Always

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the 2025 theme, “With Survivors, Always,” highlights the importance of partnership, safety, and solidarity with those affected by domestic violence. This theme serves as both a love letter and a call to action for advocates committed to supporting survivors’ rights and needs. Survivors Deserve Safety Safety includes physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial well-being. …

Continue Reading

Education Update

By Isaac Bettis, TCC Youth Services Coordinator FAFSA 2026–2027 Opens October 1st! Students, don’t wait! Submit your FAFSA as soon as it opens on October 1, 2025 at studentaid.gov. Applying early gives you the best chance at securing financial aid, scholarships, and work-study opportunities before funds run low. Completing your FAFSA is a key step in planning for college and …

Continue Reading

Mental Illness Awareness Week: October 5-11, 2025

1 in 5 adults experience mental illness each year. You are not alone and support is available. Talking about mental health helps break the stigma. Take Action: Check in with yourself and your loved ones. Learn the signs and symptoms. Seek help early. Healing is possible! Together we can build understanding, compassion, and hope. Tanana Chiefs Conference – Standing for …

Continue Reading

Keep Your Home Safe: The Importance of Cleaning Your Chimney

By David Atteberry, TCC Public Safety Manager In many rural Interior Alaska villages, wood stoves are a vital source of heat throughout the long, cold winters. While they keep our homes warm and cozy, it’s important to remember that regular chimney cleaning is essential to keeping our families and homes safe. Over time, wood smoke creates a buildup of creosote, …

Continue Reading

House Vote Threatens Central Yukon Resource Management Plan

In early September, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to rescind the Central Yukon Resource Management Plan (CYRMP)—a plan more than a decade in the making, rooted in compromise, science, and Indigenous knowledge. The resolution, known as House Joint Resolution 106, passed the House on September 3 and was received in the U.S. Senate the following day, September 4. Under …

Continue Reading

Honoring Indigenous Peoples Day

Each year on the second Monday of October, we recognize Indigenous Peoples Day—a time to honor the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of the first peoples of this land. For Alaska Native communities, this day is more than a celebration; it is an affirmation of our identity, resilience, and sovereignty. Indigenous Peoples Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the …

Continue Reading

Letter from the Chief | October 2025

Dear Tribal Leaders and Tribal Members, October will be a busy month for Tanana Chiefs Conference. On October 14th, we will hold our Executive Board Meeting in Anchorage, followed by the Tribal Unity Gathering on the 15th. With our recent return to the Alaska Federation of Natives as directed by Full Board Resolution 2025-31, we will also be attending the …

Continue Reading

TCC Dedicates MMIP Memorial in Fairbanks

Last month, Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) hosted a powerful and emotional dedication ceremony honoring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) in our region. The new memorial, located beside the Chena Bingo Hall in Fairbanks, features a plaque and benches that now serve as a lasting space of reflection, remembrance, and healing for families and community members. TCC Chief/Chairman Chairman Brian …

Continue Reading

2025 Municipal and Regional Educational Attendance Area Elections

The October 7, 2025 Municipal and Regional Educational Attendance Area (REAA) elections are quickly approaching. These elections determine who represents us on school boards, city and borough councils, and as Mayor. Local office-holders like Borough Assembly Members, City Council Members, and School Board members are responsible for shaping local policies and budgets. Assemblies govern borough-wide services and taxation, Councils manage …

Continue Reading