Native America Calling

The Alaska Federation of Natives was formed by tribal leaders in 1966 to protect land and preserve tribal governance. Now, at the 60th convention, tribal leaders and members from across the state gather to discuss current issues of politics, sovereignty, and culture. This year’s central issues include subsistence fishing and hunting, the rising cost of living, climate change, and voting rights and participation. We’ll speak with a longtime Native journalist about these top issues and how they might affect the upcoming midterm elections. About 800 people from rural villages in Western Alaska are still living in Anchorage, a year after being displaced by powerful storms leftover from Typhoon Halong. At the time, the event left two people dead, caused the mass evacuation of several villages, and destroyed hundreds of homes and community structures. With the slow pace of recovery, evacuees contend with not knowing when they’ll be able to return. We’ll hear more about the aftermath of Typhoon Halong. GUESTS Joaqlin Estus (Tlingit), longtime journalist and former correspondent at ICT Noah Attie (Yup’ik), veteran and elder from Kipnuk Alice Rearden (Yup’ik), cultural education manager at the Calista Education and Culture State Rep. Nellie Jimmie (Yup’ik), member of the Alaska House of Representatives representing District 38 Scott Nelson, telecommunications engineer with Alaska Emergency Management

Declining salmon numbers are threatening the way of life for Alaska Natives, according to a report by the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN), the largest Native organization in Alaska. And report findings are similar across regions: concern about the future of food security in rural villages, frustration with state and federal management of waterways, and difficulty maintaining sacred traditions. Many residents also face fishing restrictions on rivers like the Kuskokwim and Yukon. It’s a key issue for Native voters to weigh during midterm elections. We’re broadcasting live from the AFN Convention in Anchorage. GUESTS Charlie Wright (Athabascan), secretary and treasurer for Tanana Chiefs Conference Frank Grunert (Native Village of Chignik Lagoon), fisher

Hundreds of Native people from across the state will discuss issues such as declining salmon populations, voting rights, and education funding at this year’s Alaska Federation of Natives Convention in Anchorage. For some, the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People crisis remains a top priority. In recent years, law enforcement agencies in Alaska have worked to improve protocols for handling missing persons cases and even established a MMIP Review Commission. But some Indigenous advocates say critical issues, like how cases are classified, how homicide cases are investigated, and how jurisdiction is determined, persist in creating obstacles for justice. We’ll hear from Native MMIP advocates about new and longstanding challenges. GUESTS Charlene Aqpik Apok (Iñupiaq), executive director of Data For Indigenous Justice Michael Livingston (Unangax̂), retired Alaska Native police officer Deilah Johnson (Iñupiaq), tribal resources director and council member for the Village of Solomon Shaun Griswold (Laguna, Jemez, and Zuni Pueblo), reporter with Buffalo’s Fire

In 1966, as Alaska Native leaders worked to secure their lands, Emil Notti (Koyukon Athabascan) helped form the Alaska Federation of Natives. Notti became its first president and later served as a key negotiator of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, which was passed nearly 55 years ago. He also held various roles in government and business. At AFN’s 60th anniversary, we’ll speak with Notti, now 93, about his work. We’ll also speak with Miaraq, Warren Jones (Gwich’in, Yup’ik, and Iñupiaq), an accomplished writer and philosopher, whose work focuses on the Cicumpolar North. Jones is also a longtime advocate for Native subsistence and land rights. GUESTS Emil Notti (Koyukon Athabascan), founding president of the Alaska Federation of Natives Warren Jones (Gwich’in, Yup’ik and Iñupiaq), philosopher, writer, and Native rights advocate Wallace Ungwiluk (Yupik), 2026 AFN Roger Lang Youth Leadership awardee

As recorder of Pima County in Arizona, Gabriella Cázares-Kelly (Tohono O’odham) is responsible for administering early voting and keeping track of more than 600,000 voter registrations. While in office during the past six years, she’s helped make voting more accessible to tribal members and rural communities, including recently installing eight new drop-off ballot boxes across the county. Even before she ran for office, she was helping people with understanding the voting process and advocating for voting access on the Tohono O’odham reservation. Cázares-Kelly is an educator-turned-politician and our October Native in the Spotlight.