The Alaska Federation of Natives kicks off its annul convention in Anchorage today.

About 4,200 people are expected to attend the event, which runs through Saturday. AFN President Julie Kitka said tribal issues, subsistence, energy, health and economic development will probably dominate the agenda.

Today, land rights advocate Willie Hensley and his daughter Elizabeth Hensley will address the convention. Gov. Sean Parnell (R) and Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) are also on the agenda. The 2009 AFN Citizen of the Year & 2009 Denali Award will be presented later today.

Tomorrow, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is scheduled to deliver a video message. Assistant Secretary Larry EchoHawk will speak afterward.

Get the Story:
AFN convention to touch on village issues (The Anchorage Daily News 10/22)

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