Anchorage Assembly welcomes delegates to AFN's 60th convention, Oct. 22-24

The Anchorage Assembly on Tuesday approved a resolution welcoming delegates and attendees to the 60th Alaska Federation of Natives Convention, Oct. 22-24 at the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center in Anchorage.

The measure, sponsored by Assembly Chair Anna Brawley, Vice Chair Daniel Volland, 10 other members and Mayor Suzanne LaFrance, honors the Dena'ina Athabascans, whose traditional land includes Anchorage. It also cites the city's government-to-government relationship with the Native Village of Eklutna and its more than 23,000 Alaska Native residents.

AFN formed in October 1966, when more than 400 Alaska Native leaders and delegates from 17 regional organizations met in Anchorage to speak on aboriginal land rights. That work led to the 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. AFN now includes 192 federally recognized tribes, 152 village corporations, 11 regional corporations and 11 regional nonprofit and tribal consortiums.

Rosita Worl, a Tlingit anthropologist and president of Sealaska Heritage Institute, will give the keynote address. This year's theme is "Rooted in Land and Tradition, Rising in Our Voices." Speeches, sessions, expo booths, art and dance events are free and open to the public. Several other events require tickets.