Denakkanaaga Conference Helps Bridge the Gap Between Elders
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Dena’ Nena’ Henash - - Our Land Speaks Vol. 37, No. 7 A Report to the Member Tribes of the Tanana Chiefs Conference August 2013 Denakkanaaga Conference helps bridge the gap between elders & youth Story by Rachel Saylor, TCC Communications Coordinator This year Denakkanaaga’s Annual Elders and Youth Confer- ence was held in Ruby with the theme ‘Where we are Bridging Our Past with Our Future’. The theme represents the purpose of the annual conference, which brings together elders and youth from throughout the TCC Region. This year three new members were elected on to the Dena- kkanaaga Board of Directors including Rev. Anna Frank, Fred Alexie and Angela Demientieff. Tristan Madros of Kaltag was elected as the Denakkanaaga Youth Representative for the sec- ond year in a row. Madros was first elected last year in Nikolai. “I always enjoy going to Dena- kkanaaga and getting to know the elders and youth throughout the region,” said TCC President Jerry Isaac, “I would like to thank the community of Ruby for their warmth and hospitality while host- ing this year’s conference.” Next year the conference plans to be held in Minto. More Photos on Page 4... Background checks required in 2014 TCC Presidential Elections On March 19, 2009, the TCC Full Board of directors adopted Resolu- Often times an applicant will miss a portion of the application and the tion 2009-30 “Barrier Crimes” directing TCC to come into compliance application will have to be altered before sent off so TCC encourages with federal and state background check requirements for its employ- potential candidates to turn in their background check application to ees. At the January 29, 2013 TCC Executive Board meeting, TCC HR before February 10. employee background checks became policy. The Executive Board TCC HR will keep all potential names confidential and no TCC officer approved the Standard Operating Procedures on employee back- or manager outside of TCC HR will have access to those background ground checks on October 15, 2012. check applications without permission from the applicant or until the The TCC President is a full time employee of the Tanana Chiefs candidate has declared candidacy in writing to the TCC Executive Conference, requiring all candidates for the office of TCC President Secretary. to successfully pass a background check in accordance to the Indian Once the potential candidates have passed the background checks Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act (ICPA) and the they must submit their name in writing to the TCC Executive Secretary Alaska barrier crimes statutes and regulations. by February 28th to be eligible to run for President. The TCC legal All potential candidates are encouraged to submit a completed department will ensure each candidate is eligible to become Presi- background check application to TCC HR starting September 17, dent in accordance with TCC bylaws and state and federal law. The 2013 as background checks are only good for 6 months. February 10 TCC Executive Secretary will announce to the tribes the list of eligible is the last day to submit a complete background check application in candidates. order for the state and other offices to return completed background Important Dates and Information available on Page 3... checks to TCC by the February 28 deadline to declare as a candidate. In This TCC’s New Tribal Alaska Youth TCC’s Summer Boating Development Director Academy Youth Interns Safety Issue Page 3 Page 7 Page 10 Page 11 Page 1 Tanana Chiefs Conference Mission Statement Tanana Chiefs Conference provides a unified voice in advancing sovereign tribal governments through the promotion of physical and mental wellness, education, socioeconomic development, and culture of the Interior Alaska Native people. Vision Healthy, Strong, Unified Tribes Members of the TCC Executive Board met with TCC Leadership in July. ABOVE: Nancy James, Pat McCarty, and CFO Brian Ridley meet for a Budget and Audit Committee. RIGHT: CAO Kathy Mayo, Leo Lolnitz, Julie Roberts-Hyslop, and Gloria Finney meet for the Planning and Organization Committee. TCC Executive Board Members Jerry Isaac/ Tanacross TCC President Julie Roberts-Hyslop/Tanana PUBLIC HEARING Vice President The Tanana Chiefs Conference plans to Be a part of the process… Let us know provide services under the Low Income Home how we’re doing, and share with us your Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for ideas about what can be done to make our Pat McCarty/Ruby FY 2014 is available for review online at our energy assistance and weatherization program Secretary/Treasurer website www.tananachiefs.org and at your services more responsive to your home heating local tribal office. Persons wishing to comment and home energy efficiency needs. Donald Honea Sr./Ruby on the proposed plan are asked to use the toll 1st Traditional Chief free conference number to participate in the public hearing which will take place: To Participate in the Hearing: Trimble Gilbert/Arctic Village August 16, 2013 from 2:00 – 4:00 PM Call 459-3975 (In Fairbanks) 2nd Traditional Chief At the Chief Peter John Tribal Building 122 1st Ave., Suite 600 OR 1-800-770-8251 ext. 3975 (long distance) Donald Adams/Tetlin Fairbanks, AK 99701 Upper Tanana Persons unable to attend or participate in At the prompt, Dail 0199509# the public hearing can submit their comments Nick Alexia Sr./Nikolai in writing no later than August 19, 2013 at the A voice will come on asking you to state your Upper Kuskokwim above address, attn: name and location. Press # when finished. Don Shircel, Client Development Director, or by email to [email protected] You are now connected to the teleconference Nancy James/Fort Yukon Yukon Flats Questions? Call us at 1.800.770.8251 extension 3457 Eugene Paul/Holy Cross Lower Yukon Announcement: Pollock “PJ” Simon, Jr./Allakaket Several older applications to the Native Village of Rampart were recently approved. Some Yukon Tanana notifications to approved applicants came back as undeliverable. Any applicants who would like to check on their membership status may contact: Leo Lolnitz/Koyukuk Debbie Mitchell Yukon Koyukuk [email protected] 907-452-8251 ext. 3274 Gerald Patsy/Nulato Toll-Free (in AK): 1-800-478-6822 ext. 3274 Youth Advisor Toll-Free (outside AK): 1-800-770-8251 ext. 3274 Page 2 The Council Newsletter Tanana Chiefs Conference TCC Bylaws and the Presidential Election TCC bylaws, TCC election rules, and federal and state law govern the 2014 TCC Presidential Election Important Dates Advertisement of Vacant Seats: The TCC bylaws state Federal Law: Indian Child Protection and Family for 2013 TCC “There will be an open period of thirty (30) days during Violence Prevention Act (ICPA) 25 USC § 3201 et seq. which candidacy for any TCC office or advisory board Presidential must be declared with the termination of that open “Each Indian tribe or tribal organization that Elections period occurring ten (10) days before the scheduled receives funds under the Indian Self-Determination date of the next TCC Annual Meeting of the Full Board. and Education Assistance Act” is required under the To prevent the 30 day open period from ending on a ICPA “to conduct an investigation of the character of September 17th: weekend, the open period may end as early as fourteen each individual who is employed…by such tribe or Potential candidates for days before the Annual Meeting. The slate of declared tribal organization in a position that involves regular the 2014 Presidential candidates shall be distributed to the member villages contact” with Indian children. election may submit not less than five (5) days before the annual meeting.” background check Article 4 / Section 12. Two sets of regulations apply to the implementation applications to TCC HR. of the background checks by tribal entities. BIA Responsibilities: The TCC bylaws define the TCC regulations, CFR § 63.1 et seq. and the IHS regulations, January 30th: President’s position as “The President shall be the principal 42 CFR § 136.401 et seq. executive officer of the corporation and shall, in general, The open period in which supervise and control all of the business and affairs of The IHS regulations define “regular contact with or a candidate may declare the corporation, authorized by the Executive Board of control over Indian child” to mean: responsibility for candidacy begins. Directors, any deed, mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other an Indian child(ren) within the scope of the individual’s instruments which the Executive Board of Directors has duties and responsibilities or contact with an Indian February 10th: authorized to be executed, except in cases where the child(ren) on a recurring and foreseeable basis. The last day TCC is able to signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated guarantee a background by the Executive Board of Directors or by these bylaws or by ICPA states: “No person can be employed in such check will be completed statute to some other officer or agent of the corporation. a position if the person has been found guilty of, in time for the required The President shall perform all duties incident to the office entered a plea of no contest or guilty to, a felony, or 5 day announcement of of president and such other duties as may be prescribed two or more misdemeanors, under Federal, State, or by the Executive Board of Directors from time to time. The tribal law involving crimes of violence; sexual assault, candidates before the President is not authorized to make any new purchases or molestation, exploitation, contact or prostitution; meeting. new leases of any interest in real estate, or to construct crimes against person; or offences committed against any new buildings, in Fairbanks without the express prior children”. February 28th: authorization of the majority of the Board of Directors”.