Interior Tribes Vote for TCC to Withdraw AFN Membership

For the last few years, Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) has been reviewing its membership with the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN). While TCC respects and appreciates all the work that AFN has done over the years, it is important that TCC align itself with partners that help further our priorities and share our same voice.

TCC Tribal leaders have made it clear that the biggest priority for them is the protection of our salmon and ways of life. Over the past few years, over 40 resolutions were passed by the full board at AFN that support a subsistence way of life, but no significant action has been taken on those directives. A lot of effort, time, and money goes toward participating in AFN and it is important that those resources be utilized to their maximum potential to advance TCC’s Tribal priorities.

After discussion with AFN leadership regarding these concerns, the issue was brought forward to TCC’s Executive Board of Directors who asked for input from the Full Board of Directors, comprised of Tribal delegates throughout the region. At the direction of the Executive Board, TCC polled all tribal delegates on whether or not TCC should remain a member of AFN. The results were a majority vote for TCC not to renew its membership to AFN.  The Executive Board thus directed TCC to withdraw from AFN and on April 28, TCC submitted its formal letter of withdrawal to AFN.

Regardless of TCC’s decision to withdraw, Tribes can still make their own decision on whether they want to remain a member of AFN and attend their annual Convention. Interior Tribes are still entitled to an Interior Seat that is representative of the majority of Alaska native organizations and tribal governmental entities, per the AFN bylaws.