2012 AFN convention: staying fresh with dynamic innovations.

• Author: Gallion, Mari
• Position: NATIVE BUSINESS

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Alaska Federation of Natives will be holding their annual convention Oct. 18 through Oct. 20 at the Dena'ina Civic & Convention Center in Anchorage.

The theme for this year's convention is "Success Beyond Barriers," a positive acknowledgment of the Native peoples' repeated success at overcoming obstacles by finding ways to thrive beyond the challenges that persist, especially in rural Alaska. The event is subtitled "People, Ideas, Working Together," and this year's convention features various activities that are anticipated to bring these elements together to address today's barriers.

The AFN Convention is traditionally well-attended. The event attracts nearly 4,000 delegates and attendees from Native corporations, regional nonprofit associations and villages from across the state, as well as international guests and attendees from the Lower 48. In addition, thousands of web viewers from around the world attend the convention remotely as it streams on the AFN website. All those components working together make the AFN Convention the largest representative annual gathering in the United States of any Native peoples.

One integral part of the AFN Convention is the annual review of resolutions brought forth by AFN members, as well as possible subsequent approval of these resolutions by the AFN board of directors and the AFN resolutions committee. The mission of the AFN is to promote cultural, economic and political voice to the Alaska native community. The resolution policy is used to advocate for Alaska Native people, foster and encourage preservation of Alaska native cultures, promote understanding of the communities' economic needs, protect and enhance all Native owned lands and to promote systems that instill pride and confidence in all Alaska Natives.

Abiding Attributes

The vast majority of AFN Convention activities and forums are open to the public, although some require registration, and others--including performances, luncheons and banquets--require that the participants purchase tickets.

This year's AFN Convention will feature all of the traditionally expected events--including a wide array of speakers that includes government leaders, national representatives and Native leaders--as well as a statewide tribal leaders forum, two nights of traditional dance performances called Quyana Alaska, an exhibit of Native corporations and pertinent organizations, an interactive health fair and three nights of the state's...