If only high school teachers who feel discouraged about how much they really impact students could meet people like Heather Kangas, the health aide in Ruby. Her path to becoming a first responder to her community began with her high school teacher encouraging her to take a college level anatomy and physiology class. Learning about the miracles of how the …
By Niisha Walsh On July 26th-27th, young people from all regions of Alaska who are in Tribal or State custody came together for the first Youth Gathering hosted by Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) Tribal Social Services. Youth ages 10 and older had the opportunity to learn new skills and make new connections during the day-and-a-half event. Guest speaker, Johon Echo …
Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) has long stood in solidarity with United States and Canadian boarding school survivors in acknowledging September 30th as a Day for Truth and Reconciliation. In 2023, we remain firmly supportive of honoring the lost children who suffered and disappeared in boarding schools in both countries. Each year we invite you to wear orange on September 30th …
Tanana Chiefs Conference and the University of Alaska Fairbanks successfully co-hosted the 39th Annual Tribal Court Conference from August 1st to 4th, 2023. The conference planning committee also included tribal partners from Alaska Native Justice Center and Alaska Native Women Resource Center. The conference, centered on the theme ‘Balance Today for Safe Communities Tomorrow: How can our tribal justice systems …
In order to understand rural Alaska – you have to experience it. In July, Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) provided the opportunity for key representatives and leaders from various organizations to experience village life first-hand through a boat tour of the Lower Yukon Subregion. TCC’s Annual Partner’s Boat Trip aims to bridge the gap between those involved in Alaska’s decision-making process …
On August 22, 2023, Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) leadership and Tribal Leaders had the opportunity to meet with U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. The Attorney General and Senator Lisa Murkowski travelled to Galena to tour the community and sit down with Tribal Leaders and community members to learn about the public safety challenges faced in rural Alaska. Chief/Chairman Brian Ridley, …
Recently, Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC), Fairbanks Native Association (FNA) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) kicked off meetings and listening sessions to work toward the development of a Tribal Community Response Plan, which will serve as a roadmap on the best way to respond to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) cases in the future. A tribal working group …
Over the past year, Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) has heard many concerns from our patients regarding the patient travel and housing process. We wanted to share some information on what we have been doing to improve these experiences. Closing the Willow House Recently, TCC made the decision to close the Willow House, our patient hotel. This decision was not taken …
Fairbanks’ first annual Homeless Persons Memorial, hosted in collaboration between local non-profits, Bread Line, Inc., the Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC), and Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC), honored the lives of Alaska’s overlooked population – unhoused individuals. Taking place at the Chief David Salmon Tribal Hall on winter solstice, the event also unveiled a thought-provoking piece of functional art created …
In June, Tanana Chiefs Conference leadership attended the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Mid-Year Convention in Prior Lake, Minnesota. During the meeting, TCC submitted a resolution titles ‘Improvements to Grid Resilience Grants for Tribal Nations’ which asks NCAI to call on the US Department of Energy to administer the 40101d program in a way that recognizes the sovereign rights …