Alaska Federation of Natives
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Founded | October 1966 |
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President | Julie Kitka[2] |
Maude Blair[2] | |
Benjamin Mallott[2] | |
Affiliations | AFN Education Fund[1] |
Revenue (2014) | $2,892,013[1] |
Expenses (2014) | $2,535,557[1] |
Employees (2014) | 11[1] |
Website | www |
The Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) is the largest statewide Native organization in the state of Alaska, United States. Its membership includes 178 villages (both federally recognized tribes and village corporations), thirteen regional native corporations, and twelve regional nonprofit and tribal consortiums that contract and run federal and state programs. AFN is governed by a 37-member board, which is elected by its membership at the annual convention held each October. The mission of AFN is to enhance and promote the cultural, economic and political voice of the entire Alaska native community.[3]
History
The Alaska Federation of Natives was formed in October 1966, when
In the early- and mid-1970s, AFN provided technical assistance to help Alaska Natives implement ANCSA and set up the corporations mandated by the Act.[4]
AFN was instrumental in the development and passage of federal laws including the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980, and the 1987 Amendments to ANCSA (the "1991 legislation").[4]
In the late 1980s, AFN turned its attention to social, tribal and economic issues.[7] At the state level, AFN plays an active role in the legislative process, promoting laws, policies and programs in areas such as health, education, resource development, labor and government.[8]
Mission
Alaska Native or Native Alaskan people began as members of full sovereign nations and continue to enjoy a unique political relationship with the federal government. AFN will help Native Alaskan people survive and prosper as distinct ethnic and cultural groups who will participate fully as members of the overall society. The mission of AFN is to enhance and promote the cultural, economic and political voice of the entire Alaska Native community. AFN’s major goals are to:
- Advocate for Alaska Native people, their governments and organizations, with respect to federal, state and local laws;
- Foster and encourage preservation of Alaska Native cultures;
- Promote understanding of the economic needs of Alaska Natives and encourage development consistent with those needs;
- Protect, retain and enhance all lands owned by Alaska Natives and their organizations; and
- Promote and advocate for programs and systems which instill pride and confidence in individual Alaska Natives.
Annual convention
AFN's convention is the largest representative annual gathering in the United States of any Native peoples. Delegates are elected on a population formula of one representative per twenty-five Native residents in the area and delegate participation rates at the annual convention typically exceed 95%. 3,000 to 4,000 people attend each year, including 1,000 voting delegates from across the state
Quyana Alaska
Their traditional dances remain the lifeblood of their culture and their communities: they sustain them and connect them with their rich cultural history. Passed from generation to generation, their dances ensure that the many distinct Native cultures across Alaska remain connected to their origins.[5]
For over 20 years, Alaska Natives have come together in dance to celebrate Quyana Alaska during AFN’s Annual Convention. First introduced at the 1982 Convention, Quyana Alaska was designed to restore the traditional dances and ensure that they were passed on to the future generations. To date, over 200 different dance groups have performed at Native gatherings across the state. The cultural revival has certainly exploded across rural Alaska, and Quyana Alaska is now a treasured highlight of each and every Convention.[10]
Denali Awards
The AFN's highest honor for people of non-native ancestry is named after the state's (and continent's) highest mountain. Recipients have included Tony Knowles and Ann Fienup-Riordan.
References
- ^ Guidestar. December 31, 2014.
- ^ a b c "Staff Archived 2016-05-22 at the Wayback Machine". Alaska Federation of Natives. Accessed on May 7, 2016.
- ^ "About AFN". Alaska Federation of Natives. Accessed on May 7, 2016.
- ^ a b c "Alaska Federation of Natives History". Alaska Federation of Natives. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
- ^ a b c "Alaska Federation of Natives | Visit Anchorage". www.anchorage.net. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
- ^ "Alaska Federation of Natives, Inc." Corporations, Business & Professional Licensing Division. Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. Accessed on May 7, 2016.
- ^ Arnold, Robert. Alaska Native Land Claims. Anchorage: The Alaska Native Foundation, 1976.
- ^ DeMarban, Alex (May 8, 2023). "2 major tribal organizations pull out of Alaska Federation of Natives". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
- ^ "Options to follow Alaska Federation of Natives convention Archived 2011-06-10 at the Wayback Machine". Alaska Dispatch News. October 17, 2009.
- ^ "Quyana Alaska". Alaska Federation of Natives. 2012. Archived from the original on February 27, 2012.