by Mike Williams Sr.
Yupiit Picaryarait Cultural Center
Bethel, Alaska
March 8, 9, 2017
The federally recognized Yupik and Athabascan tribes of the YK delta and officers of the Calista Corporation are holding an intertribal conference to address issues of immediate concern to the areas 56 villages. The issues include:
1. The liquor stores in Bethel: they are having a detrimental effect on the health and well-being of the surrounding villages, families and children. One more is being planned.
The Alaska State Troopers, the Office of Children’s Services, the District Attorney’s Office and delta women’s groups will provide information to the tribal leaders.
2. A Tribal State Compact on Public Safety and Law Enforcement in the YK delta by the State of Alaska and the YK delta tribes as per the Anvik/State Agreement. Deputy Attorney General Ron Henderson will address the tribes, exchange on information on the Anvik/State agreement, and discuss the possibility of doing the same with the 56 tribal governments in the YK delta.
3. Status report on the Donlin Creek Gold Mine.
4. SB 18: legislation introduced by Senator Lyman Hoffman of Bethel creating a borough in the YK Delta covering all the villages in the Calista region.
5. Murkowski language in the US Senate that would give “tribal recognition” to Alaska Native Corporations.
6. Creation of a Regional Tribal Government
The Yupik and Athabascan Intertribal Conference is going to be held on March 8, 9, 2016 at the Yupiit Piciiryarait Cultural Center in Bethel, Alaska. If you have any question regarding the conference, please call Mike Williams at 907-765-2061.
