The Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) will hold its 2009 Annual Convention on Oct. 22-24 in Anchorage at the Dena’ina Civic & Convention Center. The convention is AFN’s signature event and a gathering point for Alaska Natives and Alaska Native organizations from around the state.
The theme for this year’s convention is “Northern Dreams – Our Historic Journey Continues.” Highlights of the convention will include keynote speakers Willie Hensley and Elizabeth Hensley and a screening of “For the Rights of All: Ending Jim Crow in Alaska,” a one-hour documentary film airing this November on PBS. The documentary traces the history of Alaska’s civil rights movement, including the passage of the Anti Discrimination Act in 1945 and Tlingit activists Elizabeth and Roy Peratrovich.
Quyana Alaska I and II, the popular Alaska Native dance performance events, will be held on Oct. 22 and 23 from 7 to 10:30 p.m. at the Dena’ina Center. For more information on tickets, call (907) 677-1700. The Native Arts & Crafts Show and the Exhibit Fair/Trade Show will be held at the Dena’ina Center from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Oct. 22 and 23, and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 24. The AFN Banquet will be held on Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. at the Dena’ina Center; e-mail jjaworski@nativefederation.org for more information on tickets.
The AFN convention will be preceded by the First Alaskans Institute/AFN Elders & Youth Conference, which will take place at the Dena’ina Center earlier in the week on Oct. 19-20, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
For more information on the convention, please go online to AFN’s website, www.nativefederation.org or call (907) 274-3611.More information about the Elders & Youth Conference can be found online at www.firstalaskans.org.
