Working Together to Confront the MMIP Crisis

By Michael Gho, TCC Tribal Protection & Safety Division Director For generations, Alaska Native and Native American communities have experienced the heartbreaking and persistent crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP)—an issue that, for far too long, was overlooked by mainstream institutions. Thankfully, in recent years, this crisis has begun to receive the attention it deserves, with more agencies …

Continue Reading

The Importance of Continuing Education Through Clinical Skills Workshops in Urgent Care

By Elena Larranga, Physician Assistant/Urgent Care & Float Providers Team Lead Given the evolving and high-demand nature of Urgent Care, continuing education is not just a professional responsibility, it is a critical component of delivering high quality, evidence-based care. Clinical skills workshops, held regularly for Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center (CAIHC) Urgent Care staff, serve as a vital platform for …

Continue Reading

TCC Public Safety Re-examining Outstanding MMIP Cases: Community Tips Still Critical

By David Atteberry, TCC Public Safety Manager Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) Public Safety is committed to bringing justice and closure to the families affected by Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) cases. Our department is actively reviewing outstanding MMIP cases throughout the region, looking for opportunities to move these investigations forward. These efforts reflect our ongoing dedication to accountability, transparency, …

Continue Reading

TCC’s Public Safety Manager Appointed to Dunleavy Administration’s MMIP Review Commission

David Atteberry, Tanana Chiefs Conference’s (TCC) Public Safety Manager, has been appointed by Governor Dunleavy to the administration’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Review Commission. Formed earlier this year, the nine-member commission reviews unsolved MMIP cases and reports findings to the Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Alaska State Legislature. Additionally, the MMIP Review Commission analyzes trends …

Continue Reading

Welcome TCC’s New Employment & Training Coordinator Sean Rice

Please welcome Sean Patrick Rice, who started as the new Employment and Training Coordinator on March 24, 2025. Sean was born in Kotzebue, Alaska. His mother is Isabel M. Field, who later became Isabel M. Rice after marrying Sean’s stepdad, Jerry Rice. Sean’s Inupiaq name is Ipiiliq, and his aanaa (grandmother) is Iren Schene, while his taata (grandfather) is James …

Continue Reading

Get Your Alaska REAL ID Now!

TCC has partnered with Turbo Tags & Titles to ensure that our Tribal members have their REAL IDs by May 7,2025. Turbo Tags and Titles hosted a booth at the 2025 Annual Convention, and 187 Tribal members received their REAL IDs during the four day event. This successful event assisted Tribal members with becoming compliant with approaching regulations and removing …

Continue Reading

Keynote Speakers Urge Cultural Renewal Through Language and Tradition

The theme of the 2025 Tanana Chiefs Conference Annual Convention, “Guided by Culture, Focused on Tomorrow,” resonated powerfully during this year’s keynote address. The speech was delivered by Taa’ąįį Ch’igiiontà of Arctic Village, along with his daughters, Na’ni’eezh and Ch’eelil, and First Traditional Chief Trimble Gilbert. Much of the address was spoken in Dinjii Zhuh K’yàa, the Gwich’in language, and …

Continue Reading

Letter from the Chief | April 2025

Dear Tribal Leaders and Tribal Members, Last month, we gathered for our Annual Convention and Full Board of Directors meeting under the theme “Guided by Culture, Focused on Tomorrow.” This theme reflected our commitment to honoring our traditions while working toward a stronger future for our people. We were honored to have Taa’ąįį Ch’igiiontà’ as our keynote speaker, accompanied by …

Continue Reading

When It Comes to Colon Cancer, Prevention Is Key

Alaska Native people have the highest rate of colon cancer in the world. To fight this, Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) urges Alaska Native adults to start screening at age 40—five years earlier than national guidelines. Colon cancer is one of the deadliest cancers in the U.S., but it can often be prevented with regular screening. The disease usually starts as …

Continue Reading

Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center Patient Updates

To better meet the needs of our patients, we’ve made some important updates to our Patient Travel services: New Voucher Pick-Up Location: Travel vouchers can now be picked up at Building B, front desk by the entrance during operating hours. Convenient Wright Air Location: Travel vouchers and meal tickets are also available for pick-up at Wright Air when patients land. …

Continue Reading