We spend much of the summer and fall gathering and getting ready for the long winters we know are coming. Fishing, hunting, and harvesting before freeze-up. And then, as the seasons turn, we look to spending time together, and that’s what we did this early winter. TKC sponsored three convenings in late 2024; The Middle Kuskokwim Gathering, a Shareholder family dinner in Anchorage, and a luncheon during the BIA Provider’s Conference.
MIDDLE KUSKOKWIM GATHERING
Hosted by TKC Fish Wheel at the Arviiq Center in Aniak, the Middle Kuskokwim Gathering took place Nov. 6-9. This year being the 5th installment of the gathering, there was a shift in focus that started with attendees. Each of our 10 communities were invited to send one Elder, one youth, one Tribal leader, and one other community leader to represent them in three days of dialogue, cultural learning, solution mapping, and wellness building activities. One highlight was Yuraq led by Tumaq, Cody Pequeño which allowed for Elder Clara Morgan to have her first Yupi’k dance.
The Gathering culminated with hearing directly from the youth of our region and prioritizing focus areas for us to work on through a handful of task forces. The top four priorities are: Food Security, Housing, Health Care, and Cultural Wellness and Education. We will look to establish the task forces and have them convene in early 2025. This year’s gathering brought much healing and really laid out a path to a better future for all of us.
Shareholder Family Dinner
We know that sometimes you just need to get together to share a meal. In October, TKC hosted a Shareholder Family Dinner in Anchorage which provided an opportunity for our Board, staff, and Shareholders to interact casually and spend quality time together. With no agenda and business to attend to, people gathered to hug old friends, win door prizes, and visit with family. We were reminded the importance of just checking in on each other and look forward to more opportunities like this in the coming year.
BIA Tribal Providers conference Luncheon
Every year, Tribes from across the state gather at the BIA Tribal Provider’s Conference. This well-attended event gives us a chance to host a lunch for those attending the conference on behalf of Middle Kuskokwim Tribes. This year, we had at least one person from each of our 10 communities at the lunch, and TKC gave quick updates on energy and broadband projects, as well as highlights from the Middle Kuskokwim Gathering.
Quyana to everyone who joined us this fall and winter. We can’t wait to enjoy more gatherings together in 2025!
