Letter From the Chief | December 2025

Dear Tribal Leaders and Tribal Members, Last month, I attended the National Congress of American Indians Annual Convention. This year, I was re-elected as the Alaska Area Vice-President, along with Clinton Cook who was elected as the Alternate Vice-President. I am honored to continue serving in this role. Representing Alaska Tribes on the Executive Council and helping unify our Tribal …

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Alaska Delegates Show Strong Presence at the 2025 NCAI Convention

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) held its 2025 Annual Convention last month, bringing Tribal leaders, advocates, and partners from across the country together to advance policies that strengthen Tribal sovereignty and support Native communities. This year’s gathering saw a strong and unified Alaska presence, with over 100 delegates from across the state participating in key discussions and decision-making …

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Prevent Impaired Driving

Impaired driving remains one of the most preventable causes of death and serious injury across our communities. Yet, its effects ripple far beyond the individual behind the wheel. Impaired driving harms families, disrupts communities, and profoundly impacts our youth. As we strive for even safer communities and healthier futures, it becomes more critical to understand how impaired driving affects us, …

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November is Diabetic Eye Awareness Month: Protect Your Vision with Regular Eye Screenings

Diabetes can affect many parts of the body, and one of the most serious complications is vision loss. Diabetic eye disease is one of the leading causes of blindness among adults—but the good news is that early detection and treatment can prevent most vision problems. For many people, changes to eyesight happens slowly and without pain. You may not notice …

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Northway Tribal Member Becomes Homeowner with Assistance from BIA and IRHA Programs

Eliza Jimmie just moved into her new home in Northway. Becoming a homeowner was made easier and more secure for her by combining funding from two sources: Interior Regional Housing Authority’s (IRHA) Home Ownership Program (HOP) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ (BIA) Housing Improvement Program (HIP), which is administered in Interior Alaska by Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC). IRHA’s HOP …

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Netr’edax Sobriety Potlatch Brings Community Together in Celebration and Healing

More than 125 people gathered in Fairbanks for the Netr’edax Sobriety Potlatch, an evening of celebration, reflection, and community hosted by Tanana Chiefs Conference. The event welcomed those who have been personally impacted by addiction, as well as friends, family, and supporters who came to honor the strength of individuals in recovery. The evening began with a prayer at 6 …

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TCC Wants to Hear Your Ideas on Small Business and Entrepreneurship

Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) Workforce Development, in partnership with Business Impact Northwest, is inviting Tribal members to share their thoughts and ideas about small business and entrepreneurship across the region. Your voice matters—by taking a few minutes to complete our short survey, you can help shape future opportunities and training programs designed to support aspiring and current Alaska Native business …

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Lung Cancer Awareness Month: Protecting the Breath of Our People

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, a time to learn, share, and take action to protect our health and our communities. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Alaska and across the United States. But by learning the risks and taking steps for early detection, we can make a difference for ourselves and our loved ones. Lung …

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Celebrating Our Adult Literacy Council Graduates

By Blanche Murphy, TCC Education Program Coordinator The TCC Education & Indigenous Learning Department would like to congratulate some recent Adult Literacy Council Graduates! On September 18th, the Literacy Council of Alaska celebrated 20 students receiving their GEDs. TCC Education & Indigenous Learning is proud to have helped finance four of the graduates, so they could complete their studies. A …

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Growing Strong Together: The Importance of Well Child Visits

By Jenny Lessner, MD, TCC Family Medicine Physician At TCC, we believe that caring for children means caring for the whole family and community. Regular well-child checks are an important way to keep babies, children, and teens healthy—not just when they’re sick, but all year long. At well-child visits, families can talk with their child’s healthcare provider about growth, development, …

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