On Saturday, June 1, we hosted our 48th Annual Meeting of Shareholders at the Crow Village Sam School in Chuathbaluk. TKC Board members, staff, Shareholders and their families filled the gym on the beautiful summer day and greeted each other with hugs and handshakes.

Our guest speakers this year were freshman high school students Brian “BJ” Derendy, Jr. and Tamara Stern-Morgan from Sleetmute. They both shared inspirational speeches about The Power of Kindness. 

Their words set the stage for an impactful conversation about the values of the Middle Kuskokwim and how they have shaped the projects, and the progress of our Corporation. 

The theme this year, Values, Vision, Innovation, embodies this work.  

Our Middle Kuskokwim Values are the cornerstone of our Corporation. Those values guide our decisions, actions, and interactions with each other, our Shareholders, and the communities we serve. Integrity, respect, accountability, and stewardship are not just words on paper; they are the essence of who we are and what we stand for. Our values can be seen not only in our in-region projects, but also in the businesses we run across the nation. 

Our Vision propels us forward, inspiring us to reach new heights and create lasting impact. Nearly 50 years ago, our Elders brought ten communities together, knowing our Middle Kuskokwim was stronger together than apart. Today, we envision a future where sustainable growth harmonizes with environmental stewardship, where economic prosperity uplifts our Shareholders and communities, and where the presence of TKC is synonymous with positive change.

Innovation fuels our progress, driving us to think boldly, act decisively, and adapt swiftly to an ever-evolving landscape. Whether it’s embracing cutting-edge technologies for energy and housing, pioneering new business models that foster self-sustainability for communities in the TKC region, or fostering a corporate culture of continuous improvement in the ways we serve you, our Shareholders, we are committed to staying ahead of the curve and shaping the future of our Corporation. 

Together, our Values, Vision, and Innovation form the bedrock of our success. As we navigate the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, let us remain steadfast in our commitment to excellence, collaboration, and making a difference for all TKC Shareholders world-wide. 

A presentation highlighting our 2023 business and financial successes was given by TKC Management. They explained that after the record-breaking profits in the last two years, we would be returning to more normal profit levels for 2023. TKC closed 2023 with nearly $2.3M in pre-tax net income, a return to more normalized profit levels after record-breaking profits in both 2021 and 2022.

In addition to highlighting our business successes, TKC’s officers discussed updates about our ongoing Corporation projects, programs, and services including: the Harvest to Home (H2H) affordable housing project; our plans for affordable and sustainable energy solutions; continued efforts to provide workforce development services to all Shareholders; and the development of our TKC ROOTS program (Raising Our Own Traditional Stewards), which is designed to connect our Shareholders to our rich cultures and traditions through various learning opportunities. 

Once the final votes were counted, the 2024 Board of Directors elections results were shared. Proxy prize winners for those who voted in this year’s election were also announced.

Our time in Chuathbaluk was bookended by local elders. We started with Tribal Council member, Lucy Simeon who welcomed fellow Shareholders and community members from the region to their home. Our meeting wrapped up with sharing from Sophie Sakar, who reminded us all of TKC’s origins and how our Elders always intended us to work together towards progress. 

Quyana to the community of Chuathbaluk for their amazing hospitality and to everyone who joined us from near and far!