Alaska Federation of Natives Convention

This year's Convention theme will spotlight ?Village Survival!,? with a special emphasis on exploring education, movement of peoples, sustainable economies and contributing to our country?s economic recovery. The AFN Convention is the largest representative annual gathering in the United States of any Native peoples. Delegates are elected on a population formula of one representative per twenty-five Native residents in the area and delegate participation rates at the annual convention typically exceed 95%. 4,000?5,000 delegates attend each year, and the proceedings are broadcast live via television, radio and webcast reaching Alaska Natives and non-Natives alike from Barrow to Ketchikan, from the Aleutian Chain to the Canadian border. During the convention, the entire state of Alaska is blanketed with discussion on current events and issues. International observers are present at most meetings, both exchanging information and learning from the Alaska Native experience. Each year the convention adopts a theme.