Young leaders from 42 Interior villages gather near Fairbanks

Young people from across Interior Alaska gathered near Fairbanks last week for four days of traditional skills, time with Elders, and leadership training, and closed the Tanana Chiefs Conference's Emerging Leaders Youth Summit by naming six priorities for the year ahead. TCC represents 42 villages across the region, and the summit drew participants ages 12 to 24 from across it.

The six, drawn from a youth-led discussion, are drug and alcohol abuse, suicide prevention, mental health, language revitalization, firearm safety, and protecting the land and waters. TCC said they will guide the Emerging Leaders program's work in the coming year.

Most of the summit was hands-on. Participants camped on-site and moved among workshops in moose hide tanning, fish net making, beadwork, canvas boot and vest making, plant identification and salve making, and fiddle and traditional dancing. They also trained in CPR, Naloxone use, and firearm safety, and sat in talking circles with Elders on values, leadership, and responsibility to community.

Other sessions covered hunting and fishing rights, Tribal leadership, and resource stewardship, including a panel led by Diloola Erickson. The summit was held at the Nankat Liberation and Wellness Center outside Fairbanks, a facility provided by Native Movement, which TCC thanked along with the Elders, presenters, volunteers, and staff who took part.