Tanana Chiefs Conference: TCC Weekly Episode 63

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

Welcome to TCC Weekly. I am Tiffany Antlin, employment and training case manager with Tanana Chiefs Conference. Let's jump into what's happening across the region. Hunting season is underway across interior Alaska. And we want to remind everyone heading out on the land and river to stay safe.

Wear a life jacket when traveling by boat, practice firearm safety, and make sure someone knows where you are going and when you plan to return. Conditions can change quickly this time of the year, so plan ahead, travel prepared, and look out for one another. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. And TCC Wellness and Prevention is hosting a Suicide Prevention Awareness Month walk on Thursday, September 10th from noon to 1:00 PM. Participants will meet at the Chief Peter John Tribal Building Pavilion before walking to the Golden Heart Plaza and back.

The event will include an opening prayer and a brief presentation on suicide awareness and 988 resources. We walk to remember and honor friends and family members lost to suicide while bringing awareness to suicide prevention services and resources. We encourage rural communities across the region to join us in sharing a message of hope, connection, and support. In the wake of Mukluk Fire in Tok, it's important to remember that support is available. Behavioral health staff at the Upper Tanana Health Center are available to talk with community members on an appointment or walk-in basis.

Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, worried, or having trouble coping, or simply need someone to talk to, you don't have to go through it alone. Please reach out to Upper Tanana Health Center if you need support.

It's that time of the year again. Submit your photos for the 2027 TCC calendar. We are looking for images that celebrate the land, culture, and people of the Interior of Alaska. Tribal members from our region are encouraged to send original photos taken in 2026. Please avoid download screenshots or edit photos so that we have the highest quality for print.

And as always, per guidance from our elders, please do not submit photos of hunters with their harvested animals. The deadline is Friday, October 16th. You can submit online, tananachiefs.org/2027calendar.

This calendar is a way to showcase the beauty and the strength of our people and places, and we cannot wait to see what you share.

Do you have a young driver, or are you ready to take the next step towards getting your driver's license? TCC Employment and Training is offering a North Star driving class September 12th through the 18th, 2026. Space is limited to the first 6 tribal members who sign up, so be sure to apply early. Participants who do not need travel assistance should apply by September 4th. To participate, you must register with Northstar Drive-In School on their website at northstardrivin.org.

Next, complete the employment and training application on the TCC website and submit all required documents. Participants are also encouraged to review the State of Alaska Driver Manual and take the practice knowledge test before the course to prepare their in-permit test. Questions, contact me, Tiffany Atlan, at 907-452-8251, extension 4997, or [email protected]. Only 6 spots are available, so sign up early. And finally, a reminder about holiday hours.

TCC administrative office are closed today, Monday, September 7th. All clinical services with exception of urgent care are also closed. Urgent Care is open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and the patient shuttle will continue to run from 5:30 AM until 6:00 PM. Normal business hours will resume at 8:00 AM Tuesday, September 8th. That's all for this week's TCC Weekly.

Thank you for joining us, and we'll see you next time. Tune in Monday morning at 9:00 AM on KRFF 89.1 FM, or listen anytime on Spotify or YouTube.