Last month, leadership from Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) met with United States Attorney Michael Heyman to discuss ways to strengthen public safety efforts across Interior Alaska and support safer, healthier communities.
The meeting focused on issues that continue to impact families and communities throughout the region, including drug trafficking and substance abuse, domestic violence, human trafficking, and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP).
During the discussion, TCC leadership shared the challenges many rural communities face when it comes to emergency response, law enforcement coverage, and access to resources. Leaders emphasized that for Tribes, public safety is about more than enforcement — it is also about protecting youth, supporting victims and survivors, caring for Elders, and strengthening communities.
“Public safety is directly connected to the health and wellbeing of our communities,” said Chief/Chairman Sharon Hildebrand of Tanana Chiefs Conference. “We appreciated the opportunity to sit down with U.S. Attorney Heyman to discuss the realities our communities face and the importance of working together to improve response, communication, and support for our Tribes and families.”
The conversation also included opportunities to strengthen coordination between Tribal, state, and federal partners and improve resources and communication for communities across the region.
The meeting reinforced a shared commitment to collaboration and culturally informed approaches to public safety and justice throughout Interior Alaska.