Tanana Chiefs Conference
History
Tanana Chiefs Conference’s (TCC) history dates back nearly one hundred years, but the organization wasn’t officially formed until 1962. In 1915, Athabascan tribal Chiefs from throughout the Alaskan interior banded together to protect their Alaska Native land rights, an issue that propelled Alaska into statehood in 1959, and continues today.
Tanana Chiefs Conference is organized as Dena’ Nena’ Henash or “Our Land Speaks”; an Alaska Native nonprofit corporation, charged with advancing Tribal self-determination and enhancing regional Native unity. TCC provides health and social services balancing traditional Athabascan and Alaska Native values with modern demands.
Vision: Healthy, Strong, Unified Tribes
Mission: …show more content…
The Full Board of Directors consists of 41 tribal members elected by their villages to represent their community and three officers; the President, Vice-President, and Secretary/Treasurer. The Full Board of Directors meets annually in Fairbanks to discuss issues important to the Interior, hold elections, and adopt resolutions presented by the member tribes to guide TCC through the coming year.
The TCC nine-member executive board ensures the organization stays true to its vision and works for the benefit of the regions’ people. The executive board is responsible for initiating and developing policies that further the goals of Tanana Chiefs Conference.
The Health Board is responsible for reviewing all health-related issues and policies prior to formal review and approval by the Executive Board. The Health Board meets at least quarterly.
TCC’s Traditional Chief sits on the board as an ex-officio of the Executive Board. The Traditional Chief serves as an ambassador of traditional knowledge and the Athabascan culture. The second Traditional Chief sits in the board meetings in the Traditional Chiefs