| The 2021 AFN Convention will once again be a “virtual convention, sensitive to the continuing danger of Covid-19, and is scheduled for Dec. 13-14. Many of Alaska’s most well-known elected leaders will take part in the event, with addresses from Mayor Dave Bronson, Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Congressman Don Young, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Sen. Dan Sullivan, and a host of other dignitaries, including Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland. View the entire agenda here. Also giving remarks on camera will be Alaska Supreme Court Justice Sue Carney, Chief and President of Native Village of Eklutna Aaron Leggett, and panelists discussing the 50-year history of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, including Nelson Angapak, Willie Hensley, Roy Huhndorf, Sam Kito, Jr. Georgianna Lincoln, and Rosita Worl. People can participate by logging into the convention virtual meeting platform. Click here for access to agenda updates, information on presenters, sponsors and exhibitors, community chat rooms, and more. You can watch the convention live on TV on 360 North, GCI and Yukon TV Channel 1, ARCS, and listen on Koahnic public radio. The convention webcast can be watched live at AFN’s website and on Facebook. The 2021 agenda reflects a much-less radicalized AFN than in recent years, when AFN emphasized climate change, anti-Trump, and anti-business stances. This year, it is focusing on space, technology, and Arctic defense, with lesser emphasis on oil and climate. But notably, the sponsorship from Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, a major oil services Native corporation, has not returned, after it withdrew as a sponsor due to the anti-oil agenda of AFN. This year, the organization has 24 corporate supporters, including: GCI AARP Alaska Alaska Airlines Chugach Donlin Gold ExxonMobil NANA Walmart Foundation Wells Fargo Ahtna Alaska Commercial Co. Alaskans for Better Elections Alyeska Pipeline Service Company Bristol Bay Native Corporation ConocoPhillips First National Bank Alaska Alaska IBEW Local 1547 Landye Bennett Blumstein LLP Northern Air Cargo One Alaska Southcentral Foundation Tanana Chiefs Conference Teck Visit Anchorage |
