Alaska Federation of Natives

Alaska Federation of Natives. The Alaska Federation of Natives is the largest statewide organization representing the interests of Alaska Natives, including Iñupiat, Yup'ik, Aleut, Eyak, Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian, and other Athabaskan peoples. Established in 1966, it serves as a powerful political and cultural force, advocating for economic, social, and cultural self-determination. Its annual convention in Anchorage is one of the largest yearly gatherings of Indigenous peoples in the United States.

History

The organization was formed in 1966 at a gathering in Anchorage, convened by leaders like Willie Hensley and Eben Hopson, in response to looming threats of massive land claims extinguishment by the United States Congress. This mobilization was critical in the lead-up to the passage of the landmark Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act in 1971. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, it played a central role in implementing the act and later advocated for amendments like the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act Amendments of 1987. Key historical moments include its advocacy for the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act and its ongoing work on issues of subsistence hunting rights and tribal sovereignty.

Organization and structure

The federation is governed by a 37-member Board of Directors and a 15-member Executive Committee, with leadership including a President, currently long-serving Julie Kitka. Its structure is designed to represent a diverse membership from across the state's twelve distinct geographic regions, including the Arctic Slope, Bering Straits, and Cook Inlet. Policy is set through resolutions passed by its membership, which includes over 170 federally recognized Alaska Native tribal entities, 13 regional Alaska Native corporations, and 12 regional nonprofit associations. The headquarters are located in Anchorage.

Advocacy and policy priorities

Core advocacy focuses on protecting the political, economic, and cultural rights of Alaska Natives. A perennial top priority is defending subsistence hunting and fishing rights on federal and state lands, often involving litigation and lobbying the United States Congress. Other major policy areas include promoting tribal sovereignty, supporting Alaska Native corporation economic development, improving Indian Health Service delivery, and advancing educational equity. The federation is a leading voice in debates over resource development in areas like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska.

Major programs and initiatives

The organization administers several key programs, including the Alaska Native Policy Center, which conducts research on critical issues. It manages the AFN Non-Profit Consortium, providing support services to member organizations. The Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council, established through state statute, is housed within the federation to promote and revitalize Native languages. Other initiatives focus on health care access, voter education, and youth leadership development, often in partnership with entities like the First Alaskans Institute.

Relationship with Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act

The federation's history is inextricably linked to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, which it was instrumental in shaping. The act created the system of regional and village Alaska Native corporations that are central members of the federation. It has consistently worked to defend and amend the act, advocating for provisions that allow shareholders to protect their land from loss through bankruptcy or foreclosure. The organization remains a primary forum for discussing the act's implementation and its impact on communities across Alaska.

Conventions and events

The annual convention, held each October in Anchorage, is the organization's flagship event, attracting thousands of delegates and participants. It features reports from the U.S. President and the Governor of Alaska, cultural performances including Iñupiaq and Yup'ik dancing, and a large Native art market. The convention serves as the primary setting for debating and passing the policy resolutions that guide the federation's advocacy. Other significant events include the annual Quyana Alaska cultural celebration and the Molly Hootch Award dinner. Category:Alaska Native organizations Category:Organizations based in Anchorage, Alaska Category:Indigenous rights organizations in the United States