On November 10th, Tribal leaders gathered in Bethel to provide testimony to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA), led by Vice-Chair Senator Lisa Murkowski. The field hearing was called in short order and is titled, “The Impact of the Historic Salmon Declines on the Health and Well-Being of Alaska Native Communities along Arctic, Yukon, and Kuskokwim Rivers.” “The Tribes …
On November 2nd, Tribal Leaders and community members spoke out against the Ambler Road Project and urged a no action alternative during the Bureau of Land Managements (BLM) public meeting in Fairbanks. BLM is hosting a series of public meetings to seek input on the draft supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) for the Ambler Road project proposed by the Alaska …
It is with heavy hearts that we at Tanana Chiefs Conference mourn the passing of First Chief Wilmer Beetus of Hughes. Chief Beetus was an exceptional leader and a tireless advocate for his community and the region. He not only served as First Chief but he also served on the local school board, the village corporation and other economic development …
The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) final draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) released earlier today reinforces the Tanana Chiefs Conference’s (TCC) opposition to the proposed Ambler industrial mining road. The 37 Tribes of Interior Alaska have lived on and with the lands being threatened by the proposed industrial mining road for millennia. Our ancestors recognized in forming TCC that …
This week, Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) was awarded a $35 million grant to install affordable, reliable high-speed broadband in three underserved TCC communities. The 100% fiber-based network will be installed in the villages of Venetie, Chalkyitsik and Circle. The project is part of the Alaska FiberOptic Project, which is a larger collaboration between Calista Corporation; Doyon, Limited; Gana-A ‘Yoo Limited; …
It is with deep sadness that Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) announces the passing of respected Elder, Alaska Native advocate and TCC’s first President, Alfred “Al” Ketzler Sr. of Nenana. Al Ketzler Sr. served as President of TCC several times throughout his lifetime; 1962 to 1964, 1968 to 1972 and again from 1976 to 1978. He was an unwavering advocate and …
Each year Tanana Chiefs Conference publishes an annual calendar featuring photos from throughout our region submitted by Tribal Members! Do you have an amazing photo that you would like to contribute to next year’s calendar? Send it to us! Photos can be submitted using our form: https://www.tananachiefs.org/2024-tcc-calendar-submissions/ The deadline to submit your photos is October 13th at 5pm. We can’t …
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 …