Association of Village Council Presidents: Western Alaska nonprofit serves 56 tribes.

• Author: Barbour, Tracy
• Position: Associations

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The Association of Village Council Presidents is a diverse social service agency with a distinctive mission. "We provide services and support for tribal governments in our region," says President Myron Naneng Sr. Serving 56 tribes in western Alaska, AVCP is one of 12 regional Alaska Native nonprofit organizations established by the federal government in 1964. It is operated by a board of directors composed of all 56 village council presidents.

Based in Bethel, AVCP provides its members with social services, human development and culturally relevant programs that promote tribal self-determination and self-governance and work to protect tribal culture and traditions. The organization functions in partnership with member villages of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta and Calista Corp., the regional Alaska Native corporation comprising the Bethel and Wade Hampton census areas.

AVCP operates a wide variety of services funded by federal and State grants, as well as other grant sources. These services include administration, realty, transportation, education, and employment and training services. Other AVCP departments include tribal justice, a cultural heritage services/museum and a housing improvement program.

AVCP's services are having a positive impact on its membership. For example, HIP is building 13 new homes this year in the communities of Hooper Bay, Chefornak, Nunapitchuk, Chevak, Napaskiak, Kotlik, Eek, Tuluksak, Kipnuk, Pitka's Point and Napakiak. The program is based on the premise that every American family should have an opportunity to own a decent home with a suitable living environment. In addition to constructing homes, the organization helps eligible tribal members with repairs to make their homes healthy, safe and sanitary. Funding for AVCP's housing program comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

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The association is also helping increase the quality of life for its members through training and education programs. For more than a decade, AVCP has operated a flight school that transforms villagers into certified commercial pilots. So far, more than 20 students have successfully completed the program and stepped into new careers. "They are guaranteed a job when they walk out of the building," Naneng says.

AVCP's Adult Basic Education program is also a valuable asset for the region. Earlier this year, ABE saw 26 students graduate with...