2022 Alaska Federation of Natives Convention

We hope you enjoyed our gavel-to-gavel broadcast of the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention (#2022AFN) from Anchorage, AK, hosted by KNBA News Director Rhonda McBride.

AFN Newscast and Alaska’s Native Voice

Listen to our special newscast anchored by Hannah Bissett and Alaska’s Native Voice hosted by Antonia Gonzales below.

Or watch all three episodes on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

KNBA 90.3 FM in Anchorage, AK and Koahnic Broadcast Corporation are in the 26th year of providing this unique service that connects Native communities in Alaska through public radio.

October 20, 2022 Day 1

AFN Newscast

Alaska’s Native Voice: Typhoon Merbok

Indigenous communities up and down Alaska’s west coast continue to recover from a historic storm, which slammed into the state in September. Typhoon Merbok devastated Indigenous communities. People lost valuable resources from boats to fishing nets, dry houses, and other tools essential to their Indigenous hunting and fishing subsistence way of life. People also lost food they had already stored up, essential to getting them through the winter. We discuss the typhoon, emergency preparedness, and the impacts of climate change.

October 21, 2022 Day 2

AFN Newscast

Friday, October 21, 2022: Elevating Alaska Native Women

Indigenous women are leading the way, in their families, in their communities, professionally, and in politics from local, state to the national level. Women are relying on the teaching of their ancestors, using knowledge passed on from generation to generation, to help guide them along the way. History was made in September when Mary Peltola (Yup’ik) was sworn into the U.S. House becoming the first Alaska Native person to serve in Congress. We celebrate successes, examine challenges, and look at the future generations.

October 22, 2022 Day 3

AFN Newscast

Alaska’s Native Voice: Alaska Native Language and Culture

Elders, advocates, educators and tribal leaders are among those committed to making sure Indigenous languages and cultures continue to be priorities in education. Efforts are being made for younger generations through higher learning, and beyond. Language and culture are being taught in schools, in community learning groups, summer programs, and at cultural events. Language and culture are often a focus of many statewide gatherings and conferences. We talk about the importance of language and culture in schools, and how communities are embracing programs to keep them alive.

Alaska’s Native Voice (ANV), now in its 11^th year, is hosted by National Native News anchor Antonia Gonzales with freelance producer Emily Schwing. The program highlights guests and recorded voices from AFN attendees, and engages in conversation about top issues facing Alaska Native communities across the state including climate issues, education, and language and culture.