AFN Conference

The Alaska Federation of Natives annual convention was noticeably different this year. I found the atmosphere and discussions to be very non-controversial. While there are important issues before the Native people of the state, there seems to be overwhelming agreement on them.

AFN has been very active in the ongoing fight to maintain subsistence rights in the past year. Native leaders have become frustrated with the continued stalemate at the state legislative level, and are seeking other avenues to settle this ongoing issue. AFN President Julie Kitka has done an outstanding job as our ambassador for Native rights and has represented our cause at the federal and international level. Wade Henderson, the Executive Director of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, stated that Julie has represented the Alaska Native human rights cause exceptionally well. He also referred to Katie John as the "Rosa Parks" of Alaska Natives.

In my opinion, Father Michael Oleska put the issue of subsistence in the proper light. In making his point, he referred to his first three village assignments as a priest of the Russian Orthodox Church. The first village taught him "the beauty of language." The second taught him "the beauty of working together." The third taught him "the beauty of hard work." Subsistence is all that and more, a complete way of living connected to the language, community, spirit, culture and social aspects of Native life. I felt that this was a wonderful observation on his part and I appreciate the wisdom he has gained in a lifetime of work with our people. Coincidentally, he made a cross-cultural presentation in Kotzebue the week prior to the convention.

I was pleased to see that AFN involved youth in the keynote address. Francesa Marr'aq Sutton of Togiak gave a compassionate (if somewhat nervous!) speech on ending the vicious cycle of alcohol and drug abuse. Among her memorable remarks was the following: "I see before me a roomful of Alaska Native leaders, showing the same intelligence as our ancestors . . . as an ingenious people. This same genius still exists. I stand here as testimony to that fact. We have the potential to stop this intergenerational cycle within our generation." I hope everyone was listening closely.

The recipient of the Roger Lang Youth Leadership award was Zazell Staheli, a sophomore from Kiana. As many in our region are aware, Zazell is very active within her school and community and is a very positive young lady. In making her acceptance speech, she addressed the adults with the words: "When you talk about leadership to youth, its important that we learn from what you say as well as well as how you act." She received a standing ovation from the crowd.

I would like to congratulate Zazell for receiving her award, as well as Sally Harvey of Noorvik for receiving the Health award and Reggie Joule for receiving the Public Service award. It was a great year for our region.