Dear Tribal Leaders and Tribal Members,
As summer moves across our region, many of us are spending time on the land, at camp, gathering with family, and reconnecting with the traditions that have sustained our people for generations. We are reminded by our elders that it is so important for us to continue these practices and remain grounded by our traditions.
Last month, TCC joined leaders from the Association of Village Council Presidents, Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, and the Alaska Federation of Natives at the National Congress of American Indians Mid-Year Convention to share an important message with Tribal Nations from across Indian Country: protecting Alaska’s salmon requires collective action.
Salmon are far more than a resource to our people, they are woven into our cultures, identities, and way of life. We are deeply grateful to the Tribal leaders and members who stood alongside us on the stage as we asked Tribal Nations across the country to stand with Alaska in protecting this precious resource. The presentation was effective and helped to raise awareness and garner support across the country. What impacts one tribe ultimately impacts us all. You can learn more on the cover story of this newsletter.
We also had the privilege of hosting our annual Partners Trip in the Upper Kuskokwim Subregion. Representatives from federal and state agencies, and other partners traveled with us to visit communities and hear directly from Tribal leaders and community members. These visits are always meaningful. It is essential that decision-makers experience our communities firsthand and hear directly from the people who live there. Those experiences build understanding and strengthen the partnerships needed to move our priorities forward.
We were also honored to attend the Denakkanaaga Elders and Youth Conference in Fort Yukon. This gathering is especially important because our Elders and youth are at the heart of our communities. Our Elders carry the teachings and wisdom of those who came before us, while our youth carry the future of our people. Hearing the stories and guidance shared by our Elders, reminds me of the teachings of my grandparents in Nulato and I loved to see our young people build strong connections throughout the region. We look forward to next years Elders and Youth Conference to be held in Nulato. Congratulations to Peter Demoski on his re-election as Elder Advisor to the TCC Executive Board. We are grateful for his continued leadership and service.
As TCC continues to grow and evolve, we have been taking a thoughtful look at how we are organized and where additional support is needed. By looking at our work in new ways, we can ensure that we are operating at our very best so that Tribal members continue to receive the critical services they need and deserve.
With this in mind, we are excited to welcome several leaders into new roles within TCC, including Joy Huntington as Government Affairs Director, Doreen Joseph as Tribal Priorities Advancement Director, Marilyn Andon as Director of Clinical Health Services, and Jacoline Bergstrom as Director of Health Administrative Services. We look forward to their leadership and I know that they will continue to support our vision of Healthy, Strong, Unified Tribes.
Ana Masee’,
Sharon Hildebrand
Chief/Chairman
Tanana Chiefs Conference
