Dena’ Nena’ Henash - - Our Land Speaks Vol. 39, No. 3 A Report to the Member Tribes of the Tanana Chiefs Conference MARCH 2015 Commemorating 100 Years Of Tanana Chiefs Conference History While Tanana Chiefs Conference wasn’t Land conflicts became an increasing form was born out of this meeting. officially incorporated until 1962, it was a problem and statehood in 1959 only July 2015 will mark one hundred years meeting of Tribal Chiefs in 1915 that is enhanced the threat to Native land since the original 1915 meeting of Chiefs. credited as a catalyst to the formation of interests. TCC plans to commemorate this event TCC. Although the Alaska Statehood Act with a celebration, the details of which will In response to the appearance of non- recognized Native land rights, the State be announced at a later date. Natives in the Interior, Tribal leaders quickly put forward plans for projects that During this year’s TCC Convention, a came together to protect their traditional would have severely damaged Native historical documentary will debut detailing rights. The first land dispute came in 1915 land interests. In response, Al Ketzler, the centennial history of the organization, when the Chiefs organized to protect a Sr. of Nenana helped organize a meeting the struggles faced during its formation burial ground in Nenana from the Alaska of 32 villages at Tanana in June 1962. and how Alaska Natives play an integral Railroad. Tanana Chiefs Conference in its modern role in Alaska’s history. CAIHC Now Offers Chemotherapy Services At the beginning of February, the Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center (CAIHC) treated their first chemotherapy patient in-house. “This is a groundbreaking accomplishment for TCC Health Services in that it will allow us to care for select oncology patients closer to their home and to their social support network,” said CAIHC Director Jennifer Eden. This effort was made possible through the CAIHC - Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC) Chemotherapy Pilot Program, a collaborative approach to providing cancer treatment, which allows some patients to remain closer to home for treatment. Under the clinical supervision of ANMC’s oncologist, patients are able to receive chemotherapy at CAIHC by a trained provider, nursing and pharmacy staff. “I would like to give all of those who were involved in making this dream a reality a big Thank You!” said Eden, “The CAIHC- ANMC Chemotherapy pilot program is an exciting and innovative model that we hope to grow and expand upon in the months and years to come.” In This Indian TCC 2015 In Memory of Alaska Youth Exemption Convention George Attla Academy Issue: Page 3 Page 4 - 5 Page 6-7 Page 9 Mission Statement Tanana Chiefs Conference provides a unified voice in advancing sovereign tribal President’s Report governments through the promotion of Tribes and Tribal Members, physical and mental wellness, education, socioeconomic development, and culture This year’s Tanana Chiefs Conference Annual of the Interior Alaska Native people. Convention plans to be a powerful one that will provide our Tribes and tribal members with important information as well as promote open Vision discussion on topics affecting our region. This year’s Healthy, Strong, Unified Tribes agenda items were directly influenced by discussions that TCC Staff and I had with tribal leaders and members over the past year. Some of the Agenda Items include; • Land into Trust; Kevin Washburn, Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs will provide an update on Land into Trust, Chinook Salmon and other issues important to our region. • Climate Change/Arctic Issues; Evon Peter, Vice Chancellor for TCC Executive Rural, Community and Native education with fellow panelist Larry Hinzman and Knut Kielland will discuss the impacts of climate Board Members change on our homeland. Donald Honea Sr./Ruby • Public Safety; Sergeant Jody Juneby-Potts will be leading a panel 1st Traditional Chief that will be discussing the Village Public Safety Officer Program and public safety for our communities. Trimble Gilbert/Arctic Village 2nd Traditional Chief • Subsistence; Natasha Singh, TCC General Council and Ben Stevens Hunting & Fishing Task Force Coordinator will be providing Victor Joseph/ Tanana a progress update on the goals of the task force and recent TCC President developments for this year’s King Salmon fishing season. As you can see, we will have several influential presenters this Julie Roberts-Hyslop/Tanana year. Additional agenda items will include Regional Development Vice President Projects in the Interior, Energy and Fire Crews, just to name a few. Pat McCarty/Ruby Because many of our discussions with tribal leaders focused on Housing Secretary/Treasurer and Behavioral Health, we have invited leadership from other Interior Native organizations to be present during our convention. The Interior Regional Donald Adams/Tetlin Housing Authority will be available to meet with the tribes regarding Upper Tanana housing concerns and the Fairbanks Native Association will attend to Nick Alexia Sr./Nikolai discuss the services available to TCC beneficiaries living in Fairbanks. Upper Kuskokwim I am excited to announce that we will have two keynote speakers at Nancy James/Fort Yukon this year’s convention; Second Traditional Chief Trimble Gilbert and his Yukon Flats granddaughter Charlene Stern. These two speakers perfectly represent the basis of this year’s convention theme Stronger Together for the Next 100 Eugene Paul/Holy Cross Years. One hundred years ago the Chiefs from our region came together Lower Yukon to fight for a common goal. These traditions of unity are passed on through the guidance, sacrifices and lessons of elders like Trimble Gilbert. It is up to Pollock “PJ” Simon, Jr./Allakaket the new generation to take these lessons and lead us into the next century. Yukon Tanana Leo Lolnitz/Koyukuk This will be my first convention as President of TCC and I am hoping for Yukon Koyukuk a strong outcome. I look forward to seeing all of you there for a successful and informative 2015 Convention. Peter Demoski/Nulato Elder Advisor Ana Bassee’, Victor Joseph Gerald Patsy/Nulato President of Tanana Chiefs Conference Youth Advisor 2 Tanana Chiefs Conference • The Council Newsletter New Recommendation from ANTHC on the Indian Exemption Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Indian Exemption application. Certificate Number (ECN) for you and/or every American must have health The applications sent to the federal your family in a safe place. You will need care coverage, but there are special government for processing have faced to report this number on your taxes. When exemptions that exist for Alaska Native numerous issues. Due to the ongoing filing taxes, you will report an exemption and American Indian people. Alaska issues with the paper application process, certificate number on IRS Tax Form 8965, Native and American Indian people are the ANTHC Health Reform Team has a titled “Health Coverage Exemptions.” exempt from the requirement to purchase new recommendation for those who still insurance if they can show evidence of: need an exemption to avoid the tax penalty Q: What if I sent in my exemption for not having health care coverage. application but haven’t heard anything • Enrollment in a federally recognized The ANTHC Health Reform Team on it yet? Tribe; recommends claiming the Indian A: Keep a look out for a letter from the • Alaska Native Claims Settlement Exemption when you file your taxes. “Health Insurance Marketplace.” It could Act (ANCSA) shareholder status still arrive. If you don’t receive a letter with (village or regional), or; Frequently asked questions an Exemption Certificate Number, you • Eligibility to receive services from a can claim the Indian Exemption on IRS Tribal health clinic or IHS Facility. about the ACA: Tax Form 8965, titled “Health Coverage Exemptions,” with your taxes. Previously, only members of federally Q: What if I already have health care coverage? recognized Tribes and shareholders of Q: What if I lost the letter with my A: If you have health care coverage ANCSA corporations had the option to Exemption Certificate Number? through Medicaid, Medicare, Denali apply for the Indian Exemption when filing A: If you received your Exemption KidCare, Veteran’s Benefits or your their taxes. Certificate Number in the mail and employer-provided health insurance, A recent announcement from the federal misplaced the letter, you can claim the you have met the requirements of the government allows descendants, people Indian Exemption on IRS Tax Form 8965, Individual Mandate and do not need to with a Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB) titled “Health Coverage Exemptions,” with purchase additional health care coverage and/or those who are eligible for services your taxes. through a Tribal health care provider will to avoid the tax penalty. You do not need to complete the Indian Status Exemption now be able to claim the Indian Exemption Q: If I don’t buy insurance, will I still be paperwork if you have health care when filing their taxes. able to get health care services at my coverage. However, the Indian Exemption IHS/Tribal health facility? is a lifetime exemption and can be used IRS Tax Form 8965, titled “Health A: Yes, you will still be able to get care anytime you have a gap in health care Coverage Exemptions,” can be used to at your IHS/Tribal health facility. The coverage. claim the Indian Exemption. health care services provided at IHS/ Tribal health facilities are not changing; The Alaska Native Tribal Health Q: What if I already received a response however, you will need to apply for an Consortium’s (ANTHC) Health Reform with my Exemption Certificate Number? exemption to avoid the tax penalty. team has been assisting people with A: Keep the letter with the Exemption TCC Advocates in Juneau during Legislative Session Greg Bringhurst, TCC Communications Manager March will prove to be a lively month Coalition.