Alaska Federation of Natives

The Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) is a statewide organization representing Alaska Native communities, tribes, regional Native corporations, and nonprofit and tribal consortiums. Its stated purpose is to strengthen the cultural, economic, and political voice of Alaska Native people through legal, legislative, and community-oriented work. AFN is not a consumer brand or commercial corporation; it is a representative and advocacy institution whose activities include policy development, government relations, cultural preservation, technical assistance, and the coordination of Native organizations across Alaska. AFN was formed in October 1966 after Emil Notti convened approximately 400 Alaska Natives from 17 Native organizations. The meeting focused on the unresolved issue of Alaska Native aboriginal land rights. The discovery of oil at Prudhoe Bay in 1968 increased the urgency of resolving land claims, because development raised major questions about land ownership, resource rights, compensation, and the future political and economic position of Alaska Native communities. AFN subsequently became a central participant in the effort that led to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), signed into law on December 18, 1971. Following ANCSA, AFN provided technical and organizational assistance as Alaska Native communities and regional entities established and operated the corporations created by the settlement. Its policy agenda later expanded beyond land claims to include tribal governance, health, education, employment, resource development, social services, and government programs. AFN also contributed to discussions surrounding the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 and later amendments to ANCSA. The organization describes itself as Alaska's largest statewide Native organization. Its membership includes more than 170 villages, including federally recognized tribes and village corporations; 13 regional Native corporations; and 12 regional nonprofit and tribal consortiums that administer federal and state programs. Collectively, these members represent more than 140,000 Alaska Native people. AFN is governed by a 37-member board elected by its membership at an annual convention held each October. The annual AFN convention is the organization's principal representative and deliberative gathering. It generally attracts thousands of participants, including voting delegates from communities throughout Alaska. Delegates consider current political, economic, cultural, and social issues and adopt an annual theme. Convention proceedings have also served as a major public forum for discussion of statewide policy and elections, although the format and programming can change from year to year. Cultural programming is an important part of AFN's public role. Quyana Alaska, introduced at the 1982 convention, gives Alaska Native dance groups a prominent setting for cultural transmission and intercommunity celebration. The convention also includes an Alaska Native Customary Art Fair, an exhibit fair, a banquet, and the Denali Awards, which recognize notable contributions by people of non-Native ancestry. Through these activities, AFN combines political representation with cultural renewal and public education. As of October 1, 2024, Benjamin Mallott serves as AFN president, succeeding Julie Kitka, who held the presidency for approximately 34 years. AFN remains an active statewide institution focused on unity, representation, cultural continuity, and the advancement of Alaska Native priorities in public policy.

The Alaska Federation of Natives was established in October 1966 after Emil Notti organized a three-day gathering of approximately 400 Alaska Natives representing 17 organizations. The central concern was the status of Alaska Native aboriginal land rights. At the time, unresolved claims created uncertainty over land ownership, resource development, compensation, and the political relationship between Native communities and federal and state governments. The organization gained importance as Alaska's resource economy developed. The discovery of oil at Prudhoe Bay in 1968 made a land settlement particularly urgent, since oil development depended on decisions about land and resource control. AFN helped organize statewide Native advocacy for a comprehensive and equitable resolution. That effort contributed to the passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, which was signed on December 18, 1971. ANCSA established a framework involving land transfers, monetary compensation, and the creation of regional and village Native corporations. AFN was formally incorporated on January 8, 1970, before ANCSA became law. During the early and middle 1970s, it assisted Alaska Native communities and organizations with the practical implementation of the settlement. This included technical support connected with the formation and operation of the corporations required under ANCSA. The federation thereby moved from a primarily land-claims-focused role into a broader institution supporting Native organizational capacity and participation in public affairs. During the 1980s, AFN participated in work surrounding major federal legislation affecting Alaska's lands and Native communities, including the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 and amendments to ANCSA. Its policy interests also expanded to health, education, labor, resource development, social conditions, tribal affairs, and the design and administration of government programs. AFN's membership structure brought together tribal governments, villages, regional corporations, and regional nonprofit or tribal consortiums, enabling statewide coordination among entities with different legal forms and responsibilities. The annual convention became the federation's principal venue for representative decision-making and public discussion. Held each October, it brings together delegates and thousands of other participants from across Alaska. The convention addresses current affairs and adopts a yearly theme, while its meetings have historically provided opportunities for dialogue with public officials, candidates, agencies, organizations, and observers from outside Alaska. Broadcast and webcast coverage has extended the convention's reach beyond those physically present. AFN has also made cultural continuity a central part of its institutional identity. Quyana Alaska was introduced at the 1982 convention to support the continuation of traditional Alaska Native dances and to connect younger generations with the cultural histories of their communities. Over time, dance groups from across the state have participated. The convention's customary art fair, exhibit fair, banquet, storytelling, and Denali Awards similarly combine cultural celebration with public gathering and organizational business. In May 2023, the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska announced a decision to withdraw from AFN, pointing to the perceived cost and reduced necessity of membership. Around the same period, the Tanana Chiefs Conference expressed a similar view that its resources could be used more directly for its own tribal priorities. These developments illustrated the continuing challenge of maintaining coordination among a large and diverse membership. The groups were later reported to have rejoined in 2025, citing the need for greater unity amid the American political climate. AFN also attracted attention in 2024 when its convention did not hold its usual U.S. House candidate forum. The decision generated disagreement between campaigns, with Nick Begich III criticizing the absence of the forum and Mary Peltola's campaign defending the decision. As of October 1, 2024, Benjamin Mallott was president, succeeding Julie Kitka after her long tenure of approximately 34 years. AFN continues to function as a statewide platform for Alaska Native representation, policy advocacy, cultural preservation, and collective action.

• 2024

  Benjamin Mallott becomes president

  [1]Alaska Federation of Nativesen.wikipedia.org

  Benjamin Mallott succeeded Julie Kitka as AFN president on October 1, 2024.

• 1982

  Quyana Alaska is introduced

  [1]Alaska Federation of Nativesen.wikipedia.org

  The cultural dance program debuted at the annual convention to support the transmission and renewal of Alaska Native dance traditions.

• 1980

  AFN participates in Alaska lands policy

  [1]Alaska Federation of Nativesen.wikipedia.org

  AFN contributed to policy work associated with the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act.

• 1971

  Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act is enacted

  [1]Alaska Federation of Nativesen.wikipedia.org

  ANCSA was signed on December 18, 1971, establishing a major legal and economic framework for Alaska Native land claims.

• 1970

  AFN is incorporated

  [1]Alaska Federation of Nativesen.wikipedia.org

  The federation was formally incorporated on January 8, 1970.

• 1968

  Prudhoe Bay oil discovery increases land-claims urgency

  [1]Alaska Federation of Nativesen.wikipedia.org

  The discovery of oil at Prudhoe Bay intensified pressure for a comprehensive settlement of Alaska Native land claims and resource issues.

• 1966

  AFN is formed

  [1]Alaska Federation of Nativesen.wikipedia.org

  Emil Notti convened approximately 400 Alaska Natives from 17 organizations to address Alaska Native land rights, leading to the formation of AFN.

A statewide representative and advocacy institution for Alaska Native peoples, combining policy leadership, interorganizational coordination, cultural preservation, and public convening.

• Representative assembly

  Annual AFN Convention

  AFN's annual convention is its principal statewide gathering for delegates, member organizations, community participants, public officials, and observers. It provides a venue for organizational governance, policy discussion, resolutions, cultural programming, exhibits, and public debate on issues affecting Alaska Native communities.

• Cultural program · 1982

  Quyana Alaska

  Quyana Alaska is a convention-based cultural dance program created to help preserve and transmit traditional Alaska Native dances. It brings together groups from different communities and presents cultural expression as a living connection between current generations and their histories.

• Arts fair

  Alaska Native Customary Art Fair

  The customary art fair held in connection with the annual convention gives artists from Alaska and elsewhere an opportunity to exhibit and sell Alaska Native customary art. It supports cultural visibility, artist participation, and direct engagement between makers and convention attendees.

• Recognition program

  Denali Awards

  The Denali Awards are AFN's highest honors for people of non-Native ancestry who have made significant contributions to Alaska Native communities or related causes. The awards are named for Denali, Alaska's highest mountain and the highest peak in North America.

• 2025

  Former members reportedly return to AFNStrategy

  Background

  The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska and the Tanana Chiefs Conference had withdrawn or questioned membership in 2023 because of perceived costs and limited necessity.

  Action taken

  The organizations were reported to have rejoined AFN, emphasizing collective unity among Alaska Native peoples.

  Aftermath

  The reported returns reinforced AFN's role as a statewide coordination platform during a politically unsettled period.

• 2024

  AFN omits the usual U.S. House candidate forumOther

  Background

  The annual convention had traditionally included a forum in which candidates seeking statewide office could discuss their platforms.

  Action taken

  AFN decided not to hold the customary U.S. House candidate forum at the 2024 convention.

  Aftermath

  Nick Begich III criticized the decision as a disservice, while Mary Peltola's campaign supported the decision and argued that AFN should not provide a platform to a candidate it viewed as hostile to Peltola's relationship with Alaska Native traditions.

1. 1Alaska Federation of Nativesen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Alaska Federation of Natives official websitenativefederation.org