ANCHORAGE, AK – Today the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) welcomed Attorney General Merrick Garland, U.S. Department of Justice to Alaska. Attorney General Garland was traveling on a Congressional trip invited by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski to see critical unmet needs in the state. During the meeting, AFN representatives were able to share their perspectives and concerns, including the actions taken by delegates at the AFN Annual Convention, with the Attorney General, who was receptive and engaged throughout the conversation.
The discussions were productive and informative and focused on the importance of collaboration and cooperation in addressing the challenges facing our communities. By working together, we can make progress toward a brighter future for all Alaskans.
“The public safety gaps and the need to strengthen state-tribal and federal collaboration were among the critical issues raised. We look forward to tangible results,” said Julie Kitka, AFN President
In attendance were Attorney General Merrick Garland; U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski; U.S. Representative Mary Sattler Peltola; Julie Kitka, President, AFN; Ben Mallott, Vice President of External Affairs, AFN; Joe Nelson, AFN Co-Chair; Ana Hoffman, AFN Co-Chair; Nikki Stoops, Special Assistant to the President, AFN; Tami Jerue, Executive Director, Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center; Alex Cleghorn, Alaska Native Justice Center; and Julie Roberts-Hyslop, Tribal Chief, Tanana, and AFN Board Member; Vivian Korthuis, President, AVCP and AFN Board Member; and others.
In attendance at yesterday’s meeting were: Mitch Landrieu, White House Senior Advisor to President Biden and White House Infrastructure Coordinator; Ryan F. Berni, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor for Infrastructure Implementation; Maya N. Humes, Senior Communications Advisor; Tommy Beaudreau, Department of the Interior (DOI) Deputy Secretary; Mackenzie Landa, DOI Advisor to the Deputy Secretary; Raina Thiele, DOI Senior Advisor to the Secretary for Alaska Affairs and Strategic Priorities; Katherine Pustay Currie, DOI Deputy Infrastructure Coordinator; Sally Tucker, Senior Advisor, DOI Infrastructure Communications; Julie Kitka, President, AFN; Ana Hoffman, Co-Chair AFN; Joe Nelson, Co-Chair AFN; Ben Mallott, Vice President of External Affairs, AFN; Nicole Borromeo, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, AFN; Nikki Stoops, Special Assistant to the President, AFN; Michelle Anderson, President, Ahtna, Inc., and AFN Board Member; Vivian Korthuis, President, AVCP and AFN Board Member; Nathan McCowan, CEO, St. George Tanaq Corporation and AFN Board Member; Sheri Buretta, President, Chugach Regional Corporation and AFN Board Member; Andy Stemp, Chief Financial Officer, Arctic Slope Native Association; and Tom Panamaroff, Koniag and AFN Board Member; Pat Pitney, President, University of Alaska; Garrett Boyle, Federal Co-Chair, Denali Commission; Daniel M. White, Chancellor, University of Alaska Fairbanks; and U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski.
