09-43 School policies should favor rural and urban youths attending AFN convention

Published on November 10th, 2009

By ALEX DEMARBAN

Summary

Rural and urban schools should create attendance policies for students to allow them to attend the Elders and Youth Conference without penalty for absences and recognizing the cultural and educational significance of the conference. School districts should create a system in which participants can receive academic credit for participating.

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Full Text

RESOLUTION 09-43

SUPPORT OF RURAL AND URBAN YOUTH TO ATTEND AFN CONVENTION

WHEREAS: Over the years a number of youth have moved into urban communities and schools from their villages due to school closures, and educational and employment opportunities for their families; and

WHEREAS: Many of these youth do not adapt well to urban schools with the loss of community nurturing and love that exist in rural Alaska; and

WHEREAS: Many of these youth feel separation anxiety, loss of identity, and culture shock when they are no longer able to participate in our Native way of life through activities such as hunting and fishing, harvesting and gathering, community and cultural celebrations, with their parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, siblings, cousins, friends and communities; and

WHEREAS: Since many of these youth will grow to be future leaders of the Alaska Native community, it is imperative that they are given the opportunity to be a part of the statewide Native activities that surround AFN, including the Elders & Youth Conference, to ensure their voice is heard, their identity is nurtured, and they have an annual opportunity to engage in the current issues that face Alaska Native communities, and in particular our rural and urban youth; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the delegates of the 2009 Elders and Youth Annual Conference that the AFN delegation vote to support rural and urban school districts in creating attendance policies for students that will enable them to attend the Elders & Youth Conference without being penalized for absences and that recognize the cultural and educational significance of the Elders & Youth Conference, by developing curricula that could allow for credit for participation; and

THEREFORE BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the school districts create a system in which participants can receive academic credit for their participation in the Elders & Youth Conference, by either elective cultural enrichment credit or in a specific subject deemed relevant by scholastic boards and administrators.

SUBMITTED BY: 2009 STATEWIDE ELDERS AND YOUTH COUNCIL

COMMITTEE ACTION: TO FLOOR

CONVENTION ACTION: PASSED