TCC youth summit yields six advocacy priorities for Interior Alaska

Interior Alaska Native youth closed Tanana Chiefs Conference's Emerging Leaders Youth Summit last week by naming six advocacy priorities for the coming year: drug and alcohol abuse, suicide prevention, mental health, language revitalization, gun safety, and protecting land and waters.

The list came out of a youth-led discussion that capped the four-day summit at Nankat Liberation and Wellness Center outside Fairbanks, a facility provided by Native Movement. TCC represents 42 villages across Interior Alaska, and the summit drew youth from across that region, ages 12 to 24. Participants camped on-site throughout the event.

What the Summit Covered

The summit combined leadership development, cultural learning, wellness activities, and advocacy training. Participants received CPR and Naloxone training and took part in gun safety education alongside workshops in moose hide tanning, fish net making, beadwork, canvas boot making, vest making, plant identification and salve making, fiddle dancing, and traditional dancing. Talking circles with Elders covered values, leadership, and community responsibility. Advocacy sessions addressed hunting and fishing rights, Tribal leadership, and Native voting initiatives.

Diloola Erickson led a Tribal Resource Stewardship panel during the summit. Shannon Erhart was also present, with photo documentation showing youth engaging in moose hide tanning activities.

Priorities and Acknowledgments

The summit concluded with a youth-led discussion in which participants identified the six priorities that will shape the Emerging Leaders program's advocacy work in the year ahead. TCC said: "Among the priorities established at the Summit are drug and alcohol abuse, gun safety, language revitalization, suicide prevention, mental health and protecting our land and waters."

TCC said: "TCC extends its gratitude to Native Movement for sharing their beautiful facility with us, and to the presenters, Elders, volunteers, and staff who helped make the summit possible." TCC also thanked youth participants for their leadership, enthusiasm, and commitment to their communities.