The Alaska Federation of Natives convention opens Thursday in Anchorage. Here’s an overview and schedule.

The Alaska Federation of Natives convention starts Thursday at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage and runs through Saturday. This year’s theme is “Our Children - Our Future Ancestors.”

The AFN is the state’s largest Native organization and includes 177 federally recognized tribes, 154 village corporations, nine regional corporations and nine regional nonprofit and tribal consortiums. It represents more than 140,000 Native people, almost 20% of the state’s population.

The convention operates as a forum for debate and policy development for the Alaska Native community and includes several cultural presentations and events. There are a number of draft resolutions being considered on topics ranging from education to natural resources.

Aside from speakers and presentations, there will be major panels. Topics to be covered this year include Alaska’s brain drain, equality, funding for children’s programs and subsistence rights.

It is free and open to the public, so no registration is required to attend. Along with policy platforms, there are will be cultural showcases and presentations.

Quyana Alaska started in 1982 as an opportunity to showcase traditional dance and pass the cultural experience to future generations. It has expanded to two nights with more than 10 groups from throughout the state. This year’s performances are sold out.

The Alaska Native Customary Art Fair is a tradition at AFN, with artists from Alaska and the Lower 48 showcasing their work. The fair will be on the first and second floors of the Dena’ina Center on Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The AFN Exhibit Fair runs Thursday through Saturday and includes more than 100 exhibitors from organizations to political campaigns and state agencies.

The AFN Banquet puts a cap on the weekend, celebrating Indigenous cultures and reflecting on the week’s work. The banquet is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday at the Dena’ina Center. Tickets are $100 each or with tables that seat 10 starting at $1,000 and up to $2,000 for VIP tables. This year’s entertainment is Deg Xit’an songster and storyteller George Holly and Hawaii reggae band H3. Cody Paqueno is the banquet host.

[Thousands of Alaska Natives gather in Anchorage for AFN convention]

Travel discounts are available for lodging and with an Alaska Airlines discount code. Delegates can ride the People Mover city buses in Anchorage for free during the convention.

AFN, including Quyana Alaska cultural performances, is exclusively broadcast statewide by KTOO 360TV. Viewers can watch over the air, on cable or satellite and streaming at KTOO 360TV.

Alaska Federation of Natives convention schedule

THURSDAY

8 a.m.: Qasgirmiut Dancers

9 a.m.: Call to order, invocation and national anthem

9:40 a.m.: Welcome Remarks from Dena’ina Leaders

9:50 a.m.: Welcome from Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance

10 a.m.: Video welcome from Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy

10:05 a.m.: Keynote address from former former AFN President Julie Kitka

11:05 a.m.: President’s Report from Benjamin Mallott

11:25 a.m.: Citizen of the Year Award

11:50 a.m.: Alaska Native Heritage Center CEO Emily Edenshaw on the 2024 convention theme

Noon: Lunch

12:30 p.m.: Chevak Tanqik Dancers

1 p.m.: Preliminary Credentials Report

1:05 p.m.: Video remarks from Administrator Robin Carnahan, U.S. General Services Administration

1:15 p.m.: Panel titled “Addressing Alaska Brain Drain: Creating Greater Opportunities for Young Alaska Native Peoples”

2:10 p.m.: General Tom Bussiere, Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command and Commander

2:25 p.m.: Congresswoman Mary Sattler Peltola

2:45 p.m.: Video remarks from U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland

3:00 p.m.: Panel titled “Strengthening Subsistence Rights: Legal Frameworks and Pathways to Improved Access for Alaska Native Communities”

Recess

FRIDAY

8:30 a.m.: Qissunamiut Yurartet

9 a.m.: Call to order and invocation

9:05 a.m.: AFN Co-Chair Candidate Presentations

9:20 a.m.: Marisa Cummings, Senior Advisor to the ACF Assistant Secretary, Administration for Children and Families

9:35 a.m.: Panel titled “The Way Forward Report of the Alyce Spotted Bear & Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children”

10:20 a.m.: U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan

10:40 a.m.: AFN President’s Awards

Noon: Lunch

12:30 p.m.: Parka Parade Presentation by Monica Riedel

1 p.m.: Credentials report

1:05 p.m.: Navigator Program and Alaska Tribal SSBCI Consortium Update

1:20 p.m.: Alaska Homeland Defense Update

1:35 p.m.: Elders and Youth Conference Update

[Photos: 2024 Elders & Youth Conference in Anchorage]

1:45 p.m.: White House Office of Management and Budget and Domestic Policy Council update

2:10 p.m.: Panel titled Securing the Promise of Equality for Alaska Natives One Hundred Years After the Passage of the Indian Citizenship Act

2:50 p.m.: Alaska Bush Caucus Update

3:10 p.m.: Unlocking the Power of the Native Vote

3:40 p.m.: Power in Ranking

4 p.m.: Panel titled “Securing Funding for Children’s Programs by Making Alaska Natives Count in Census Surveys”

Recess

SATURDAY

9 a.m.: Call to Order, invocation and Final Credentials Report

9:05 a.m.: Alyeska Section 29 Update

9:15 a.m.: Video remarks from Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy

9:30 a.m.: State Justice Update – Alaska Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Henderson

9:50 a.m.: Sara Olsvig, Chair, Inuit Circumpolar Council

10 a.m.: Election of 2024 AFN Co-Chair and Announcement of AFN Village Representatives

10:10 a.m.: Consideration of 2024 Resolutions

Recess

1 p.m.: Call to order

1:05 p.m.: U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski

1:30 p.m.: Denali Award Presentation

1:50 p.m.: Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Update

2:10 p.m.: Federal Bureau of Investigation State of the Justice Update

2:30 p.m.: Impacts of the Chevron and Loper Bright Decisions

2:45 p.m.: Closing Comments

3 p.m.: Adjournment