The Alaska Federation of Natives Convention got underway this morning in Fairbanks at 8 am. The AFN Convention is the largest representative annual gathering in the United States of any Native peoples.

The convention draws between 4,000 and 5,000 attendees each year. Among those present are native people from throughout the state as well as International observers. The convention is broadcast live each year on the web, on television and on the radio, and is received by people throughout the state and beyond.

Nomination for co-chair candidates will begin Thursday afternoon at 1:40 pm. Initial nominations will last for five minutes. Nominations will continue through the afternoon with nominations made until 4 pm between speakers.

AFN is in the process of moving to staggered terms for Co-Chairs, which means that beginning next year only one Co-Chair will be elected each year to serve a two-year term.

• One ballot – all candidates will appear on one ballot.
• Support two – members vote for two candidates.
• Top 2 – the two candidates with the most votes will be elected Co-Chairs.

The candidate with the most votes will serve a 2-year term. The candidate with the second most votes will serve a 1-year term.

More information on the nominations and rules can be seen here.

This year, 40 resolutions will be considered. A PDF of the 40 resolutions can be seen here.(PDF)

The Alaska Federation of Natives had its beginnings in 1966. It was at that time that more than 400 Natives representing 17 Native organizations gathered for three days to discuss Alaska Native aboriginal land rights. That organization is now the largest state-wide Native organization with membership from 178 villages.