Alaska Federation of Natives 60th Anniversary Convention Opens in Anchorage This Week Alongside Elders and Youth Conference
Two major gatherings of Alaska Native people are taking place this week at the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center in Anchorage, Alaska: the Elders and Youth Conference and the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) Convention. This year marks the 60th anniversary of AFN.
The Elders and Youth Conference, hosted by First Alaskans Institute, opened earlier in the week, bringing together several generations through games, conversations and workshops on Alaska Native cultures, history and language. Roy Agloinga (Inupiaq), president of First Alaskans Institute, said AFN was born out of a movement for Native unity, representation and self-determination, and that the gathering has evolved into a tremendous celebration, a Native New Year where artists and families from across the state gather.
The AFN Convention opens on Thursday, October 22. This year's keynote speaker is Tlingit leader Rosita Worl, president of Sealaska Heritage Institute. U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and U.S. Representative Nick Begich will also deliver remarks. A political candidates forum for the November election will be held on Friday, and on Saturday delegates will discuss and vote on resolutions touching on healthcare, public safety, education and subsistence rights. Organizers say typically up to 7,000 people attend in person and as many as 100,000 watch online. This year's convention also features two nights of dancing and drumming at Quyana Alaska on Thursday and Friday, and because it coincides with the early voting period for the general election, organizers plan to encourage attendees to cast their ballots while in Anchorage.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图片来源：Wikimedia Commons，用户 Mudflattop 拍摄（CC BY-SA 3.0），Anchorage 的 Dena'ina 市政会议中心
