The annual convention of the state’s largest Native organization is virtual this year.
The Alaska Federation of Natives 2020 convention takes place 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday. It will be livestreamed at www.nativefederation.org, aired on television on GCI Channel 1, ARCS and 360 North, according to AFN. While it will be in a new format, as in past years, this year’s convention features speeches and panel discussions with state and federal officials and Native leaders. The theme of this year’s convention is “Good Government, Alaskans Decide.”
The keynote address will be given at 9:40 a.m. Thursday by state House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham. Other highlights include panel discussions of coping with COVID-19 and Native-driven progress related to rethinking justice at 11 a.m. and 1:35 p.m., respectively. At 2:20 p.m., U.S. Attorney General William Barr will speak.
On Friday, U.S. Department of Energey Secretary Dan Brouillette is scheduled to speak at 9:15 a.m. A panel of senior military officials will discuss maintaining balance of power in the Arctic at 10:10 a.m. and at 2:40 p.m. state communications leaders will discuss how technology is overcoming broadband challenges in rural Alaska.
There will be a virtual Alaska Native art marketplace both days. People can shop online at: https://www.collective49.com/collections/2020-afn-customary-art-show.
— Capital City Weekly
