First Alaskans Institute celebrated Alaska Native intellect and encouraged young people and Elders during the 26th Anniversary of First Alaskans Institute Elders & Youth Conference held Oct. 19-20, 2009, in Anchorage. The conference stimulated dialogue between young people and Elders and encouraged them to maintain traditional Native values and practices while thriving in the modern world.

Keynote Speakers
Morgan Fawcett, Tlingit
Mary Bourdukofsky, Unangan
Tiffany Zulkosky, Yup’ik
Chad Bullock, Tobacco Awareness Advocate

Registered Participants 
The total number of registrants was 1,302 participants. There was 353 youth registrants, 525 Elder registrants, 157 chaperones, and 81 Non-Participants/Observers registered.

Exhibitor Information
Alaska Native Professional Association (ANPA) and First Alaskans Institute would like to thank the 79 participating non-profit and profit organizations for making the 2009 Expo a sucess. The Elders & Youth Services/ Business Expo was open to the participants of the First Alaskans Elders & Youth Conference, as well as to the public. The Expo set-up allowed for a hospitable atmosphere while providing networking opportunities and organizational promotion.

The 2009 Elders & Youth Council members planning this year's conference include:

Elders: Dorothy Cook (CIRI), Roy Tansey Sr. (Ahtna), Vince Tutiakoff, Sr. (Aleut), Rex Okakok, Sr. (ASRC), Daniel Karmun Sr. (Bering Straits), Anecia Kritz (Bristol Bay), Bob Aloysius (Calista), Don Kompkoff (Chugach), Dee Olin (Doyon), Nick Alokli (Koniag), Willie Goodwin Jr. (NANA), Florence Sheakley (Sealaska), George Samuel (13th Region)

Youth: Steven Holley (CIRI), Douglas Rock (Ahtna), Delores Gregory (Aleut), Selma Khan (ASRC), Vanessa Tahbone (Bering Straits), Sheryl Wassillie (Bristol Bay), Dustin Evon (Calista), Kelly Barker (Chugach), Clara Perdue (Doyon), Desiree Heglin (Koniag), Lexy Staheli (NANA), Krista Lamp (Sealaska)

A special thank you to our Conference Planning Committee:

James LaBelle, George Charles, Barbara Fleek, Shirley Tuzroyluke, Lena Hoffman, Steven Holley, Richard Perry, Chelsea Royal, and Stephanie Thompson.

Thank you to our major contributors!

• Providence Medical Center
• Alyeska Pipeline Service Company
• Fred Meyer
• Shell Exploration and Production
• Wells Fargo
• GCI