Conference guide Dustin Unignax Newman
Conference guide Dustin Unignax Newman (Unangax/Deg Hit’an).
June Pardue presents a workshop (Alutiiq/Sugpiaq).
June Pardue presents a workshop (Alutiiq/Sugpiaq).
National anthem by Christianna Edwards (Tlingit/Haida).
National anthem by Christianna Edwards (Tlingit/Haida).
Conference guide Andrea Ts’aak Ka Juu Cook (Haida).
Conference guide Andrea Ts’aak Ka Juu Cook (Haida).
Delores Churchill, Coffeetime with Elders and Healers (Haida).
Delores Churchill, Coffeetime with Elders and Healers (Haida).
Lisa Wade and Ayla Andrew (Ahtna).
Lisa Wade and Ayla Andrew (Ahtna).
viye tr’ixidinli’an | focus
Virtually Speaking
First Alaskans Institute holds 37th Annual statewide
Elders and Youth Conference
A

pproximately 1,100 people registered for 37th Annual First Alaskans Elders and Youth Conference from Oct. 11-14. The virtual conference was the first of its kind, and hundreds of participants attended daily from all over Alaska and the world.

Dr. Rev. Traditional Chief Trimble Gilbert (Gwich’in) from Vashrąįį K’ǫǫ (Arctic Village) was the Elder Keynote speaker and Kiley Kanat’s Burton (Eyak/Aleut/Iñupiaq/Koyukon) was the Youth Keynote speaker, while Conference Guides were Dustin Unignax Newman (Unangax̂/Deg Hit’an) and Andrea Ts’aak Ka Juu Cook (Haida) moved the event along.

“We need to listen and go back to the old way. Real human life. I remember things change so fast. Elder talks about it today. Vision. ‘Everything gonna change’, they said. ‘People gonna change. World gonna change.’ That’s where we’re at with the virus. Not only that. Fire, tornado, water, earthquake. Unexpected thing happen. This virus is everywhere now.”

Dr. Rev. Traditional Chief Trimble Gilbert—Dr. Rev. Traditional Chief Trimble Gilbert (Gwich’in) of Vashrąįį K’oo (Arctic Village), Elder Keynote Speaker

Kiley Kanat“With blood quantum still used as an identifier of Native people, they will one day lose their status and recognition. The moment when Tribal members are no longer Native enough, based on colonial tactics that were used to assimilate, is the moment Indigenous people are ‘bred’ out of existence.”

— Kiley Kanat’s Burton (Eyak/Aleut/Iñupiaq/Koyukon), Youth Keynote Speaker

One of the most popular virtual offerings were the 12 “Living and Loving Our Cultures Language” sessions with language teachers from across the state. There were 16 community engagement workshops and 15 culture Workshops, with an additional eight “Lunch and Learn” sessions. The conference also featured talented performers and musicians from across the state in the “Natives Got Talent” features.

One highlight from the “Warming of the Hands Gathering” was a Coffeetime with Elders & Healers, including Healers Doug Modig (Tsimshian), Amy Modig (Deg Hit’an), Elder Delores Churchill (Haida) Haida Gwaii and Ketchikan, Elder Harold Esmailka (Koyukon) from Ruby and Fairbanks and Healer & Storyteller Keggulluk Earl Polk (Yup’ik from Bethel). Recordings can be found on First Alaskans’ webpage, Facebook page and YouTube Channel.

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