09-05 Evaluate the representation on AFN

Published on November 10th, 2009

By ALEX DEMARBAN

Summary

An effort to reorganize AFN by 2011 should consider representation for more Native organizations, such as heat, housing or tribal entities. Develop term limits for top posts, such as chair. A final report and recommendations should be available to AFN's governance committee by 2010. Create a five-member elections committee to oversee future elections.

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Full Text

RESOLUTION 09 05

A RESOLUTION TO EVALUATE THE REPRESENTATION OF ALASKA NATIVES IN THE ALASKA FEDERATION OF NATIVES

WHEREAS: The Alaska Federation of Natives was founded in 1966, originally named the Alaska Federation of Native Associations, to protect the common interests of and negotiate a fair settlement for land claims on behalf of Alaska Native peoples; and

WHEREAS: In 1967, the Alaska Federation of Native Associations later became the Alaska Federation of Natives; and

WHEREAS: Upon passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, AFN expanded to include the newly created regional corporations as members of the organization; and

WHEREAS: At the time, AFN was structured to represent diverse Native groups within Alaska, including tribal organizations, regional non-profit organizations, individual village tribes, urban Native groups, and tribes that had federal reservations; and

WHEREAS: Today, there are newly established organizations that also represent specific interests of the Alaska Native population; and

WHEREAS: The scope, purpose, and structure of AFN continues to evolve over time to meet the needs of its Alaska Native constituents; and,

WHEREAS: The issues facing Alaska Native people change over time and with each generation; and,

WHEREAS: From time to time, the Alaska Federation of Natives must review its representation and organizational structure in order to ensure that it has the flexibility and resources to allow it to remain relevant and to represent the Alaska Native population of today; and

WHEREAS: The "Resolution" process for raising issues and creating the priority system for AFN's state and federal platforms has remained the same since 1966; and

WHEREAS: In 2002, the AFN Board of Directors recognized a need to address the reorganization of AFN, and held a Leadership Retreat from which a series of recommendations were put forth, and have not been acted upon; and

WHEREAS: The 2008 Alaska Federation of Natives Convention delegates moved and approved a motion directing the AFN Board of Directors to review the structure of AFN, including the practice of selection of co-chairs of the organization, the findings of such review to be reported to the 2009 Convention; and

WHEREAS: The current resolution procedures can be better structured to prioritize the issues, and create achievable outcomes, greater cooperation and dialogue between AFN delegates and all stakeholders; and

WHEREAS: It is imperative that Alaska Native people employ a disciplined approach to addressing Native issues to protect the credibility of our people and Alaska Federation of Natives; and,

WHEREAS: As Alaska Native people we foster strong leaders and embrace new leadership as an investment in our future; and,

WHEREAS: As Alaska Native people we are strong, resilient, and flexible; and,

WHEREAS: As Alaska Native people it is our responsibility to ensure that our future generations have the tools necessary to succeed, like our ancestors before us; and,

WHEREAS: The Delegates of the 2009 Convention of the Alaska Federation of Natives recognize the need to:

(i) strengthen and update the structure of AFN through the inclusion of additional Alaska Native organizations representing Native interests; and

(ii) align the AFN Board of Directors; and

(iii) review the resolution process; and

(iv) strengthen, respect and empower tribal governments and tribal nations; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Delegates of the 2009 Convention of the Alaska Federation of Natives, that AFN recognizes the need to invite organizations established for the benefit of Alaska Native peoples to join AFN as member organizations entitled to equitable representation on the AFN Board of Directors; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Delegates of the 2009 Convention of the Alaska Federation of Natives that the AFN Board of Directors shall undertake a process to reorganize AFN by 2011; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Delegates of the 2009 Convention of the Alaska Federation of Natives that the AFN Board of Directors be directed to examine the bylaws of the organization and determine changes to be made that are consistent with this resolution; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Delegates of the 2009 Convention of the Alaska Federation of Natives that the practice of selection of officers of AFN remain consistent with the structure contained in the amended AFN bylaws, adopted on May 19, 1994; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the delegates to the 2009 Annual Convention of the Alaska Federation of Natives, Inc., that AFN:

• Give full votes to village corporations and Tribal governments times enrollment

• A governance committee be fonned with one representative from each region

i) to develop restructuring AFN membership rules

ii) to develop rules for elections process

iii) to develop rules for term limits of the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary.

• Formation of a five member Elections Committee to oversee future elections

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED by the Delegates of the 2009 Convention of the Alaska Federation of Natives, that recommendations brought forth appropriately align the mission, vision, goal, and structure as it relates to operations, the convention and priorities, and to fully fund the operations of a modern Native advocacy organization in order to carry forward the good work of the organization in a manner that creates more dialogue and cooperation between regions to increase AFN's effectiveness and streamline issues which are statewide in nature, evaluate the establishment of an endowment for Native rights protection, advocacy and litigation, and create a sustainable organization that progresses, advocates and protects the rights of all Alaska Natives and future generations to come.

SUBMITTED BY: BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE ALASKA FEDERATION OF NATIVES

CONVENTION ACTION: AMENDED AND PASSED