On November 10, community members from across the Fairbanks region came together at the Chief David Salmon Tribal Hall for an evening dedicated to addressing one of the most pressing issues in our region: food security.
This gathering—organized by community members with support from Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC)—brought together TCC, Doyon, Ltd., Fairbanks Native Association, Native Movement, Bread Line, Inc., and the Fairbanks Community Food Bank. The goal was simple but powerful: help families connect with essential resources during a time of heightened food and economic strain.
Nearly 200 people attended the event, where panelists shared their insights on the challenges and opportunities surrounding food access in Interior Alaska. Speakers included Princess Johnson and Dorothy Shockley of Native Movement, Sam Kirstein of the Fairbanks Community Food Bank, Hannah Hill of Bread Line, Inc., and Desiree Joseph of TCC. Each panelist offered a unique perspective on the systemic issues affecting food security as well as the supports available to individuals and families.
The evening also included a community meal provided by Doyon, who served soup, fry bread and berries. Attendees contributed generously to the canned food drive, resulting in a pickup truck–load of donations delivered to the Food Bank. In addition, 43 food boxes were distributed directly to food-insecure families who attended the event.
Events like this remind us that strengthening food security is not just about addressing immediate needs; it’s about building long-term resilience, working together, and ensuring every family in our region has access to the resources they deserve. Mahsi’ choo to everyone who helped organize, participated, donated, and shared their voice in this important conversation.
