The Association of Village Council Presidents has joined the Alaska Federation of Natives and Tribal groups across the nation in opposing the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court.
According to AVCP’s Communications Director Azara Mohammadi, the AVCP Executive Board sent a letter to Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski on Thursday stating their solidarity with AFN. An excerpt of the letter reads: "I write to emphasize that the Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP) stands in solidarity with our sister tribal consortia, tribal organizations, and the Tribes themselves (both in Alaska and throughout the contiguous United States) in Indian Country’s opposition to Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the United States Supreme Court.”
The Alaska Federation of Natives announced its opposition to Kavanaugh’s confirmation last week on the grounds that his confirmation could jeopardize Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian self-determination, legal status, and land claims.
AVCP declined to release its letter or provide further comment.
Murkowski is seen as a key Republican swing vote in the Senate. Alaska Native groups have historically supported Murkowski and wield important influence over her voting base. In 2010, AFN’s endorsement of Murkowski is attributed to helping her win a Republican senate seat as a write-in candidate.
Currently, the confirmation process for Judge Kavanaugh is delayed, at least temporarily, while the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee prepares to investigate allegations made by a California professor that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her while they were in high school in the 1980s. Kavanaugh has denied the allegations.
