By SUZANNE DOWNING
Oct. 11, 2026 – The Alaska Federation of Natives will gather in Anchorage Oct. 22–24 for its annual convention, with an agenda that includes Alaska’s congressional delegation, a candidates forum, and a presentation opposing the repeal of ranked-choice voting. There is no presentation favoring the repeal.
The current draft agenda has some other omissions: Gov. Mike Dunleavy has no listed speaking slot, and neither US Senate candidate Mary Peltola nor congressional candidate Bill Hill is named individually on the program. Both are Alaska Native and Peltola has been featured at previous AFN conventions, while Bill Hill is a newcomer to the state political scene.
AFN is marking its 60th anniversary under the theme “Rooted in Land and Tradition, Rising in Our Voices.” The gathering, set for the
All three members of Alaska’s congressional delegation are scheduled to address delegates Thursday, Oct. 22. Sen. Lisa Murkowski is listed at 11 am, Sen. Dan Sullivan at 2 pm, and Rep. Nick Begich at 2:15 pm.
Their appearances are listed under their current federal offices, separately from Friday’s candidates forum.
Dunleavy’s absence stands out. With his second term ending this year, the convention would be his final opportunity to address AFN as governor after eight years in office.
Several slots remain marked “TBD,” however, so the schedule could change.
Friday afternoon is reserved for a candidates forum beginning at 1:05 pm, but the draft does not identify its participants.
Peltola has a personal connection to AFN leadership: Convention co-chair Joe Nelson was her second husband, and they have two children together. Her third husband was the late Eugene “Buzzy” Peltola Jr.
Nelson also has ties to Sealaska, the Southeast Alaska Native corporation, where he serves on the board of directors. Sealaska’s published general-election announcement supports both Sullivan and Peltola for Senate, and both Begich and Hill for the House. It endorses only Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins for governor.
AFN and Sealaska are separate organizations. AFN is a statewide federation whose membership encompasses tribes, Native corporations, and regional nonprofit and tribal organizations. An individual corporation’s endorsements should not be treated as AFN’s position.
AFN’s board has determined that the organization will not endorse specific candidates in the 2026 general election. A board-approved resolution posted on AFN’s website emphasizes voter participation while respecting differences in candidate preferences.
Other scheduled topics include Alaska’s subsistence framework, salmon, cultural tourism, Native youth wellbeing, and federal Indian policy. Dr. Rosita Worl will deliver Thursday’s keynote address. Delegates are scheduled to consider convention resolutions Saturday morning, with adjournment at 3 pm that afternoon.
For now, the draft gives the sitting congressional delegation individual speaking slots and opponents of Ballot Measure 2 a designated presentation. Whether Dunleavy will give one final address, and which candidates will participate in Friday’s forum, remains unanswered by the published draft agenda.
6 thoughts on “AFN agenda features ‘No on 2’ presentation, congressional delegation — but no Dunleavy, no Peltola”
The Native community is facing political divisions between Native groups. I seeing many Alaskan natives losing interest in the group as well as many native Alaskans are out migrating for careers, higher education, and employment or a new life (and peace) away from family and culture dysfunction. Just like what happened to Hawaiian Nstives. You white liberals would like to hear this. The rural lands are almost available.
I used to like going to AFN. Now, it’s just Ghetto, and you look ghetto for being there. That’s not a very good image.
I see AFN as a “Union” community, a few that place themselves in charge and force their members to think like them.
Indians fought each other to the death over land, resources, and dung. Apparently, nothing has changed.
AFN, A wholly owned subsidiary of the Democratic Party
AFN has this down. There is strong sentiment for Senator Dan among Native corporation leadership. He stepped up to support the substantial government contract preferences afforded to Native corporations against political challenges from the left (Sen. Claire McCaskill) and the right (anti-DEI forces in the administration). In fact, he single-handedly unwound McCaskill’s legislative limits on large-dollar 8(a) contracts to Native corporations—a limitation that snuck into a defense bill with Mark Begich asleep at the wheel. That doesn’t mean Mary will have a bad AFN. She can adopt the same tactic Mark Begich did in defeating Ted: organize around the convention, even as the main stage tries to remain neutral. AFN will also come out of this unscathed, and many Alaska Natives will be happy with the choices: a Native U.S. senator versus a U.S. senator married into a prominent Athabascan family from Rampart which continues to carry the culture forward. That’s kind of an embarrassment of riches.