The Alaska Federation of Natives Convention kicked off in Anchorage on Thursday with its theme this year of "Success Beyond Barriers."

On the opening day of the convention, Natives from around the state heard from AFN President Julie Kitka, who declared to those gathered there and to those tuned in, “Our greatest strengths as Native people have been our cultural values and our strength in working together.”

That message, as well as the subsistence issues that are the main topic of this year’s convention, were not lost to the politicians in attendance this year.

Alaska’s governor Parnell was in atttendance and spoke to those gathered. He told the people that came together this year what they already knew, that it was a tough summer for salmon subsistence. Parnell said, “I’ve been very concerned about how some of you, how some of our neighbors, how many Alaskans are going to struggle through this winter.”

The governor pointed out to the crowd that a symposium was scheduled next week on the science of King Salmon returns and urged those listening to attend.

Alaska’s lone Representative to the United States Congress, Don Young went further saying that representatives in the villages along the Yukon should be managing the King Salmon returns on the river, as well as game on their own lands, saying, “You’re the only ones that loses anything.” Representative Young told convention-goers that they should not ally themselves with the Federal government to address subsistence needs, but to rather work with the state through a management commission of representatives from along the river corridors. He said “You’re stepping into the frying pan,” if Natives attempt to work with the federal government on the issue.

Anchorage’s mayor, Dan Sullivan, on the other hand said that the state is beyond the ability to return to subsistence lifestyles and the the native population need to spend more time addressing the development of our human resources. He stated that the state’s self-imposed education standards are woefully low compared to the nation’s and Alaska has to work toward and educated workforce to transform the economy.

Thursday’s keynote speaker was Carol Wren, she spoke on the AFN theme for the year, “Success beyond Barriers.” She spoke of the difficulties of growing up in Dillingham and going through the typical problems confronted by children and teenagers in rural communities, but pointed out that through the support of caring and capable family members, made it through. She told those in attendance, “We have the solutions within us. We define our own success.” Carol is the Director of Employment and Training Services at the Cook Inlet Tribal Council.

Alaska’s governor also presented the 2012 Shirley Demientieff Award at the convention. This year’s award went to Mary Jane Fate an Athabascan born in Rampart. She was a founding member of the Fairbanks Native Association, the Tundra Times newspaper, the Institute of Alaska Native Arts, and the past president of the North American Indian Women’s association.

Fate was also the first woman co-chair of AFN as well as a director of the Alaska Airlines corporate board and a University of Alaska Regent. During that term, Fate was the only indiginious member of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission. Fate wasalso the first Alaska Native woman to serve on the Alaska Judicial Council.

“Mary Jane, your life is a positive example of how we each can make a difference wherever we are,” Governor Parnell said. “You are an Alaska Native leader who has led and advanced the health and safety of Alaska Natives. And while accomplishing so many firsts, you have also always been there for those in need.”

The award is given each year by the governor of Alaska for advocacy on behalf of Alaska Native women and children.