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 …
In May, Chief/Chairman Brian Ridley, Vice-President Sharon Hildebrand and TCC staff joined the Defend the Brooks Range Coalition’s recent “fly in” to Washington, DC. The trip is part of the ongoing advocacy efforts to oppose the construction of the Ambler Road. The Coalition is headed by the National Parks Conservation Association, and other partners include tribal members from Ambler, Kobuk …
On May 23rd 2023, Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) leadership gathered at Effie Kokrine Charter School with tribal communities and local stakeholders in TCC’s first ever Food Security Summit, which resulted from the request of TCC’s Full Board of Directors per resolution 2022-11. The goal of the summit is to work towards identifying and improving access to healthy foods in rural …
When Sheena Tanner last appeared in this newsletter, in January of 2020, she was an itinerant health aide. Today she is back, only this time she is a CHAP Trainer, helping others pursue their dreams of medical careers. Her employment history with Tanana Chiefs perfectly illustrates that you can start out with no experience in the health field and, with …
On July 10th at 12:00pm AKST, we are asking everyone to show up along any body of water and join us by praying, dancing, and singing. We are hoping to honor our salmon by having all body of waters hear our prayers. If you have any questions, please contact Shannon Erhart, or Janessa Newman. Share Your Photo With Us!
The Department of Energy (DOE) recently provided an update on the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants authorized under Section 40101(d) of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that would allow more Tribes access to these funds. Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) has been advocating for DOE to administer the 40101d program in a way that recognizes the sovereign rights of tribes …
This morning, the US Supreme Court made a decision in the Haaland v. Brackeen case, affirming that the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) is constitutional. The 7-2 vote by the Justices protects tribal sovereignty and resolves the growing challenges to child custody issues and traditional values of Native Tribes. “The protection of indigenous children is a top priority for Tanana …