Last month, several Alaska Native leaders attended a Fairbanks City Council meeting to advocate for the adoption of a standing Native land acknowledgement at the start of Council meetings. Leaders from Denakkanaaga, Inc., the Fairbanks Native Association (FNA), and Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) spoke in support of the ordinance, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the original stewards of the land …
On December 5th, TCC co-sponsored a special screening of the short film, “Shaaghan Neekwąįį,” known in English as “Two Old Women.” If you grew up in Alaska, Two Old Women, by Velma Wallis, was most likely required reading in middle school. It tells the harrowing and inspiring tale of two elderly women abandoned by their Tribe during famine. The short …
Protecting our salmon is protecting our way of life. Over the next several weeks, Tribal members and community advocates have two important opportunities to speak up and ensure that the experiences of Yukon River families are reflected in state and federal decision-making: the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) and the Alaska Board of Fisheries (BOF). Both bodies will be …
Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) completed its annual Elder fish distribution last week, delivering 200 boxes of wild-caught salmon to rural Elders in the Fairbanks and North Pole area. This year’s distribution included filleted, vacuum-sealed salmon, along with the heads and eggs, ensuring Elders received the full benefit of this traditional food. TCC’s Elder Nutrition Program also provided boxes of locally …
By Diloola Erickson, Tribal Resource Stewardship Division Director As you may recall, Tanana Chiefs Conference’s (TCC) Tribal Resource Stewardship (TRS) team has worked closely with the National Marine Fisheries Service over the past few years on the Chum Salmon Bycatch Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This EIS has now been finalized and published in the Federal Register. To help explain this …
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide, and it often develops so quietly that many people don’t know they have it until permanent vision loss has already occurred. Known as the “silent thief of sight,” glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, the vital link that carries images from your eyes to …
By David Atteberry, Public Safety Manager Each January, communities across the nation observe Human Trafficking Awareness Month. This is a time to bring attention to an issue that affects people everywhere, including right here in Interior Alaska. While trafficking is often portrayed as something that happens far away or only in major cities, the truth is that Alaska Native people, …
January Graf Rheeneerhaanjii Re-Opened to Support Youth in Need. TCC reopened Graf Rheeneerhaanjii, offering culturally grounded residential mental health support for youth ages 13–17.5. The program provides therapy, life skills, education, and cultural activities, with active family involvement and priority for TCC-affiliated youth.Read the Full Article Here. Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center Introduced Open Access Scheduling. This new system allows …
In December, Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) hosted a Master/Six-Pack License Training in Fairbanks. The 4-day training certified participants in the legal operation of water vessels with six or fewer passengers and is regulated by the United States Coast Guard (USCG). This license is essential for various types of commercial and residential boating activities, including fishing charters, sightseeing tours, and diving …
Last month, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 410 – the Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Extension Act of 2025. This important legislation extends the deadline for eligible Alaska Native Vietnam-era veterans—and their heirs—to apply for their federal land allotments from 2025 to December 29, 2030. Tanana Chiefs Conference has strongly advocated for this extension, recognizing the significant barriers …