(SitNews) The Alaska Native Brotherhood and Alaska Native Sisterhood met in Anchorage for the annual Grand Camp convention at Alaska Pacific University Campus earlier this month. The annual meeting occurs at varying locations based on local camps’ invitation to host the convention.

This convention was a historic event all around as the first woman as the ANB Grand Camp President was elected in the ANB's 107-year history. The members also witnessed the signing of HB 126 establishing November of each year as Alaska Native Heritage Month in Alaska. Also of historical significance, the U.S. Mint attended and unveiled a $1 gold coin in honor of Elizabeth Peratrovich and her Civil Rights activism for Alaska's Native People, which will be available next year. The convention also celebrated and shared their Alaska Native culture with Peratrovich family members, many Alaska tribal leaders, political leaders, the U.S. Mint Chief Administrator Patrick Hernandez, and staff, guests and delegates.

The ANB and ANS have as their mission to better the lives of Native people and their families; to fight for civil rights and land rights for all Native people; to share the cultural knowledge, wisdom, and artistic beauty of Native tribal societies; and to strive for a spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood among all people.

The purpose of convention is to elect officers, receive reports of officers and committees, and to consider other business that may arise.

The new Officers for the 2019-2020 year which begins October 1 and ends September 30 the following year are:

ANB
Heather Gurko, Portland – President
James Llanos Sr., Ketchikan – 1st VP Woodrow Watson, Ketchikan – 2nd VP James Llanos, Jr., Ketchikan – Secretary Vincent Rinehart, Portland – Treasurer Josh Yates, Anchorage – Sergeant At Arms

ANS
Paulette Moreno, Sitka – President
Sandra Churchill, Wrangell -1st VP
Kevin Allen, Juneau – 2nd VP
Carol Duis, Haines – Secretary
Cynthia Llanos, Ketchikan – Treasurer
Cyndi Reeves, Anchorage – Sergeant At Arms

This year Marvin Adams (ANB Anchorage Camp 87 President) and Tasha Hotch (ANS Anchorage Camp 87 President) hosted what was reported as a memorable event. The convention in Anchorage was a first for Camp 87 both ANB Camp 87 and ANS Camp 87 as convention hosts.

Edited by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News:

Grand Camp ANB ANS

 

 

 

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