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2022 First Alaskans Institute Statewide Elders & Youth Conference Call for Proposals from Language Teachers, Artists, Cultural Bearers, Elders, and Community Organizations & Leaders

Due date: Friday, September 16, 2022

Nts'é t'ínt'eh? Tsin'ęę (how are you, thank you in Tanacross) for volunteering your time and energy to share your knowledge and lift up our Elder and youth participants! This year’s 39th Annual Statewide Elders & Youth Conference will begin on Sunday, October 16 and close out on Wednesday, October 19. It will take place in-person in Anchorage at the Dena'ina Center in a culturally-enriched way to celebrate our ability to be in person once again.

**Please submit a separate proposal for each workshop/lesson/performance you are interested in teaching/hosting.**

Conference Purpose & Objectives
  • Provide an opportunity for Elders and youth to interact with and learn from each other;
  • Inspire pride in cultural identity and heritage;
  • Grow knowledge of community, culture, traditions, family, and self towards understanding the unique role that each person plays in our collective identity;
  • Strengthen participants’ understanding and engagement with topics relevant to the Alaska Native community;
  • Empower youth leadership, innovation, commitment and sharing of their knowledge;
  • Foster statewide networking, sharing, discussion, and community building;
  • Prepare participants to be engaged and take action after the conference and in their lives by nurturing a practice of learning and leading.
Timeline
  • Start reviewing proposals on an ongoing basis (Call for Proposals will be accepted until all positions filled)
  • Requests to present emailed on an ongoing basis
  • Finalize conference format - week of September 26
  • Workshops presented - October 17 & 18
Tsíná’ęę for your thoughtful contributions and ideas that will guide us to a memorable conference.

For more information, please contact us at leadership@firstalaskans.org or call 907-677-1700.
1.Please complete the following contact information:
2.The Elders & Youth Conference is a culturally-radiant and safe place for our Elders, youth, and other participants. Whether we are in-person or virtual, we work to ensure that those presenting, working with, and sharing time with our precious participants are committed to this as well. We would never knowingly subject our participants to anyone with a history of child or Elder abuse - physical, sexual, mental, financial, or other forms of abuse. By submitting this Call for Proposals, you are confirming that you and the co-presenters understand this and are also committed to it. This is a condition of registration in order for us to best protect our conference participants and ensure a culturally vibrant and safe space.(Required.)
3.Please share more about your presentation interest:
4.Check all delivery options that interest you for this presentation:
  • Alaska Native Language Circle - teach 1.5 to 2 hour language session to encourage participants to practice and grow their love of language learning.
  • Living & Loving Our Cultures Workshop - teach 1.5 to 2 hour hands-on activity that celebrates our Native ways of life, all supplies will be provided to participants who will self-select workshops. Artists will be asked to prepare supplies and kits. Examples: storytelling, song & dance, beading, sewing, carving, survival skills, drawing, string games, hunting, etc.
  • Elder Coffeetime - For interested Elders who would be open to sharing a story or words of wisdom with the Elders & Youth participants. 
  • Men's, Women's, & LGBTQA2S+ Houses - engage, host/facilitate or provide support to a House of your choice.
  • Community Engagement Workshop - share 10 to 15 minute plenary message or lead 1.5 to 2 hour workshop on subjects important to Indigenous people.
  • Lunch & Learn - 1 hour presentation on subjects important to Indigenous people or to provide in depth information about an organization and/or opportunity. You are responsible for providing lunch.
5.Please share a bulleted outline schedule for your workshop, presentation, performance, etc. 
Example:
-Welcome & Land Acknowledgement
-Presenter & Participant Introductions
-Talking Circle about importance of salmon to our communities
-Facts about salmon habitat
-Teach salmon song & dance
-Everyone share 1 take away from this session 
-Closing
6.We value interactive and engaging workshops that create space for our Elders and youth to work together. We do not place a high value on lecture style only presentations. How will you ensure that this workshop, presentation, performance, etc. is interactive for participants?
7.Answer yes or no: I understand that if selected as a presenter or teacher I may be requested to expand or shorten my presentation time or format, depending on Elders & Youth needs and space availability. As FAI finds ways to Indigenize Elders & Youth, FAI seeks flexibility to create engaging formats for participants from the lens of the overall experience to amplify the purpose and theme.
8.Answer yes or no: I understand that if selected, presenters will be asked to register for the conference and that FAI does not provide financial compensation to presenters.