Dear fellow shareholders,
It was wonderful to see many of you at the Annual Meeting this year. I know the early June weather this summer was cold and unpredictable. I really appreciate those who made the trip to Glennallen to attend our meeting. We are so thankful to everyone who participated, whether in person or virtually through the livestream.
There were many positives to this year’s Annual Meeting. A standout was the opportunity to recognize the Alaska Native Brotherhood (ANB) and Alaska Native Sisterhood (ANS). They played an integral role in the formation of Ahtna, Incorporated and our success. The ANB and ANS helped the Ahtna people establish a regional organization called Ahtna’ T’aene Nene’ which later led to the formation of the Copper River Native Association. Those involved in these organizations were the same men and women who helped form the Alaska Federation of Natives, worked to pass the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, and formed Ahtna, Incorporated. After the annual meeting, several Ahtna men and women met at the Glennallen Headquarters building with our ANB/ANS guests to reactivate our ANB & ANS Camp 31. ANB Grand President Heather Gurko and ANS Grand President Daphyne Albee swore in our new officers: ANB Camp 31 President is Edward GreyBear, ANB Camp 31 Vice President is Dennis Charley, ANS Camp 31 President is Katherine McConkey, and ANS Camp 31 Vice President is Donna Renard. Phyllis Yazzie serves as the Camp 31 ANB/ANS Secretary/Treasurer and Nelly Ewan as ANB/ANS Camp 31 Sergeant of Arms. Congratulations to all!
A Memorial Potlatch for Traditional Chief Fred Ewan was held at the Gulkana Hall on June 9th and 10th. As the traditional leader of the Ahtna people, Chief Ewan was the embodiment of the Ahtna culture and way of life. He found joy in drumming and singing traditional Ahtna songs, and he loved to fiddle dance. He also took great pleasure in celebrating his birthdays, where he graciously hosted friends from both near and far. Chief Ewan played a significant role in Gulkana Chapel, warmly greeting those who came for the service and patiently waiting until he was called upon after each sermon to deliver the closing prayer.
I will always remember him for his boundless energy, remarkable knowledge of our land, language and traditional Ahtna practices, his contagious laughter, and his embodiment of an older Ahtna era. He was a beloved chief, and his people realize how fortunate we were to have him as our traditional leader. Many Ahtna staff took part in the two-day event. We are fortunate to have staff who value and honor our culture and want to participate whenever there are opportunities for their involvement.
Employees enjoyed the Ahtna Day holiday on June 19th. Our Board created the holiday to recognize our Ahtna culture, traditions, and traditional use of our lands. Our ancestors worked hard and fought to give us land for hunting and access to rivers for salmon fishing – so we would always have access to our traditional foods. Our ancestors were strong, practical, hardworking, non-materialistic people who knew what it took to survive and thrive on our homelands. Ahtna Day honors their contributions and helps to educate our staff about our traditional ways.
Ahtna successfully hosted a Yakutat-Ahtna Cultural Exchange in Glennallen. The purpose of the event was to bring Ahtna and Yakutat people together to share cultural ties and pass down important knowledge about our peoples’ connections — according to oral history, centuries ago some of the Yakutat people originally migrated from the Copper River area. The exchange included discussions on plants, dance, language and sharing of the oral history of our peoples. The gathering was special and meaningful to all who participated. I am deeply thankful to our staff who participated and made sure our visit was successful! Thank you to our shareholders who were able to take part in the 3-day event as your schedules allowed. The first day was at the Klutina Culture Camp, 2nd day at the Ahtna Cultural Center and the 3rd day in Chitina.
Many of us also received an Ahtna language lesson from Board Member Jessica Denny which was awesome! We talked about what’s next and it was unanimous that it’s time to bring a group of Ahtna people to Yakutat to continue this journey of educating, learning, and sharing of traditional knowledge so our special history is never forgotten.
Our Shareholder Records department has been hosting a series of Testamentary Disposition workshops in our villages. A Testamentary Disposition form provides clear and concise instructions to Ahtna for determining the heirs of your Ahtna shares. This process is different from gifting shares when a shareholder is still living. A Testamentary Disposition is not a complete personal will, but directs us on your wishes for your Ahtna shares. The Testamentary Disposition form also allows you to appoint a representative to handle any memorial fund donations you are eligible for from Ahtna after your passing. It is extremely important for shareholders to have a valid Testamentary Disposition on file with Ahtna.
When a shareholder passes on and they do not have a Testamentary Disposition on file with Ahtna, the transfer of shares becomes more complicated and could take months, or even years, delaying what could be a relatively quick and simple process. Without a Testamentary Disposition or a formal will, when you pass your shares will be transferred according to Alaska intestate law, which may not match your wishes.
Congratulations to our class of 2023 shareholder graduates! It is your time to shine, and we are delighted to be able to share your accomplishments in this issue. Your commitment to furthering your education is admirable, and you are making not only your family proud, but everyone here at Ahtna. New this year, we hosted Graduate and Student Banquets in Anchorage and Kluti-Kaah. The events were held simultaneously and connected online so that each room could see the other. It was a lot of fun and I am glad that our graduates felt encouraged and celebrated. Great job Tracy Parent and Mercedes (Starr) Knighten for making it possible to connect both locations so we could celebrate the accomplishments of both Glennallen and Anchorage Ahtna Graduates.
There have been many heartwarming and soulful happenings this last quarter. We are truly blessed, and I am very thankful.
Tsin’aen,
Michelle Anderson, President
Ahtna, Incorporated