Alaska Federation of Natives

Native leaders say it's a good first step, but want the apology to be followed by more meaningful action.

Four decades ago, in the days before the internet and automatic voter registration, Alaska Natives turned out to vote at high levels. That participation has eroded badly, a situation that should be reversed, said Michelle Sparck, director of an Alaska nonpartisan organization called Get Out The Native Vote.

All six members of the caucus took to the stage during this year’s Alaska Federation of Natives annual convention in Anchorage.

Daphne Nicholai’s Anchorage-based Blackbull Native Store sells and ships village staple foods throughout Alaska. It's been honored by the Alaska Federation of Natives as the 2024 Small Business of the Year.

The Congresswoman’s comments come after revelations that some state Republicans may have killed a bill that would have eliminated a witness signature requirement for absentee ballots because of a perception that it could benefit Alaska Native voters.

Rep. Mary Peltola’s speech to the Alaska Federation of Natives, which highlighted subsistence issues, comes a day after the federal government signed multiple agreements aimed at strengthening tribal subsistence rights in Alaska.

This year’s convention theme is “Our Children, Our Future Ancestors,” and Kitka presented her comments as an open letter to her two young grandchildren.

Judges for the annual Alaska Federation of Natives subsistence photo contest had to pick a winner from than 100 images.

The event is normally a key part of statewide political campaigns but was squeezed out by other priorities, a top organizer said.

Mallott will replace Julie Kitka as president and CEO. It's the first time in more than three decades that AFN has had new leadership.