AFN delegates back Alaska Pacific University's new Tribal governance model

Alaska Federation of Natives delegates passed a resolution Oct. 24 backing Alaska Pacific University's new governance model, which invites Tribes, Tribal organizations, Native corporations and allies into the Anchorage university's leadership.

It asks AFN to support the model by encouraging its delegates and member organizations to join.

Under the model, Tribes and Tribal organizations that make an annual financial commitment get an appointed seat on APU's board of trustees. Those that join without a financial commitment can nominate a trustee for an at-large seat, as can non-Tribal groups and individuals who make annual contributions, according to APU's announcement of the model in December 2025.

APU says it became Tribally governed in 2016 through a membership arrangement with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. When it announced the new model, APU said ANTHC would be moving away from higher education to focus on expanding statewide health services.

"These members are core to our Alaska Native University vision," APU President Janelle Vanasse said.

APU chose to identify as an Alaska Native University after discussion with its Elders Council. It isn't a federal designation.

The resolution says APU can apply for federal Tribal university status once more than half its students are Indigenous. Alaska Native students make up 33% to 38% of its students now. Instead of waiting, APU is "becoming a self-determined Alaska Native University now," the resolution says.

The resolution says APU is federally designated an "Alaska Native-Serving Institution" and that Elder Lucy Sparck objected to the term, noting that it reflects "federal patriarchy rather than true self-determination."

It also notes that APU's founder, Peter Gordon Gould, an Unangax̂ man, saw a need "for Indigenous leadership reared, educated, and trained in Alaska for Alaska."

Delegates passed 49 resolutions on the final day of AFN's 60th convention in Anchorage. AFN is the largest statewide Native organization in Alaska.