Dear Tribal Leaders and Tribal Members,
Last month, we welcomed Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to the Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center. During this visit, I, along with the Executive Board, had the opportunity to share issues that are critically important to Interior Alaska. We spoke about the importance of food security and subsistence access as essential to both health and cultural identity, the continued lack of piped water and sewer systems in 13 Interior Alaska villages, the shortage of behavioral health providers and the urgent need for culturally grounded services, and the importance of federal programs such as Medicaid expansion, HRSA, and SAMHSA to support care for both Tribal and non-Tribal residents. These conversations are vital to ensuring that Tribal voices are heard and that the needs of our communities remain a priority at the federal level.
In addition, I recently participated in a roundtable discussion with Senator Lisa Murkowski in Anchorage alongside other Tribal Leaders for the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. The purpose of this meeting was to review and provide feedback on the draft Native Children’s Commission Implementation Act, which has the potential to strengthen services and supports for our youth and families across Alaska.
We also concluded our fall subregional meetings last month. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to each of the hosting communities for welcoming us into your villages. These gatherings are invaluable, as they allow us to hear directly from community members about successes, challenges, and priorities. I deeply value my time in the villages, as I believe being on the ground is the best way to truly understand the needs and strengths of our communities.
Now that we are in hunting season and many of you will be out on the land, spending time with family and preparing to put away food for the winter, I want to remind everyone to stay safe. Please practice proper gun safety, let others know where you are going and when you plan to return, and look out for one another. Let’s make sure that everyone comes home safe and continues caring for our families and communities.
Mahsi’ Choo,
Chief Brian Ridley
Tanana Chiefs Conference