Tanana Chiefs Conference: TCC Weekly Episode 60

Welcome to TCC Weekly, where each week we bring you the latest news from Tanana Chiefs Conference.

Welcome to TCC Weekly. I'm Joy Huntington, Government Affairs Director at Tanana Chiefs Conference. Let's take a look at what's happening across the region. Last week, TCC executive leadership traveled to Eagle for the Upper Tanana Subregional Meeting, where community leaders and TCC staff came together for important conversations about the region's priorities and future. TCC is grateful to the community of Eagle for hosting us and for the fellowship, good food, and meaningful conversations shared throughout the gathering.

These meetings are an important opportunity to listen, connect, and work together on the issues that matter most to our tribes and communities. We are thankful for our continued relationship with the communities of the Upper Tanana Region and look forward to continuing this work together. Also last week, executive leadership met with key staff from Alaska's congressional delegation to discuss time-sensitive and urgent federal priorities, including the 2026 disaster relief efforts, the Ninana Clinic grant extension, proposed OMB revisions to the uniform guidance, and the Farm Bill, including the federally recognized Tribe Extension Program. We also discussed increased public safety funding, strengthening our tribal voice during U.S. Department of Health and Human Services tribal consultation, and the Rural Health Transformation Program. We also extended an invitation to federal decision makers to visit our villages and meet with tribes.

We would like to thank Greg Bringhurst, Regional Director for U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, Corina Waller, State Director Regional Director for U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, Stacy Pence, Regional Director for U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, and Leslie Hadukovich, State Director for U.S. Congressman Nick Begich, for engaging with us on these priorities.

They all expressed enthusiastic support for meeting on a more regular basis to identify where they can support our tribes. These conversations are part of TCC's ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships and advance the needs of tribes and communities across Interior Alaska. Back-to-school season is almost here, and now is the perfect time to schedule your child's annual wellness visit. A Well Child Checkup helps ensure children are healthy, up to date on immunizations, and ready for a successful school year. Throughout August, Tanana Chiefs Conference will host back-to-school clinics at Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center in Fairbanks, Upper Tanana Health Center in Tok, and Edgar Nolner Health Center in Galena.

Clinics will offer well-child checkups, sports physicals, and immunizations with weekend, after-hours, and walk-in appointments available to make care more accessible for families. Families can also enjoy activities and giveaways during the clinics. Visit the Chief Andrew Ryzik Health Center Facebook page for clinic dates, times, and additional details for each participating community. And also, hunting season is upon us. As we move into the season, we have a few reminders for hunters.

Make sure your hunting license is current. A resident hunting license is $45 a year, but if your household income is at or below the federal poverty guideline, you qualify for the $5 low-income license covering hunting, fishing, and trapping. Harvest tickets and tags are free for residents on most species, moose included. You still need that ticket in hand before you hunt. Every harvest ticket you turn in, successful or not, feeds directly into how Fish and Game manages these populations.

So check your game management unit, get your license, grab your free tag, and report your harvest either way. It protects hunting opportunities for our communities. Good luck out there and hunt safe. Primary Election Day is tomorrow, August 18th. Do you know the issues?

Get informed by visiting tenonachiefs.org/elections-2026.

Make a plan to vote and get to the polls tomorrow in the primary election. That concludes this week's news and updates for our region. Thank you for listening. I'm Joy Huntington, and you're listening to TCC Weekly. Tune in every Monday morning at 9:30 on KRFF 89.1 FM, or listen anytime on Spotify and YouTube.