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Alaska’s Native Voice (ANV) is a three-part special, which airs annually in October during KNBA’s gavel-to-gavel broadcast of the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) convention. The program, in its fifth year, features engaging discussions on issues facing Alaska Native people. ANV also highlights the First Alaskans Institute’s Elders and Youth Conference, which is held each year in the days prior to AFN. The lunch hour show includes interviews with guests and conference attendees.  ANV is hosted and produced by National Native News Anchor Antonia Gonzales and freelance producer Emily Schwing.

Alaska’s Native Voice 2016-Racial Equity:  efforts are underway in Alaska to intentionally reshape the dialogue on racism, to raise awareness about healing and seek solutions towards racial equity, which includes examining policy. Guests: Andrea Sanders and Darlene Trigg with First Alaskans Institute.  Please note: there were technical difficulties in the live broadcast, which interrupted 12 minutes around 30:46.

“Equity allows for everything that we are. Our cultures, our ways of being, our rights to hunt, fish and gather on our lands. Those things are critical. They’re not separate parts of us, they’re not past times, they’re not hobbies.” –Elizabeth Medicine Crow (President/CEO First Alaskans Institute) on racial equity. “They’re actually what maintains our identity and who we are. That’s a right that we have.”

Alaska’s Native Voice 2016-Emerging Leaders: people from rural and urban areas from across Alaska work on challenges and explore ways to improve the lives of people in their communities, which includes environmental protection and social issues. Tribal and community leaders are among those always looking to the future and future generations. Guests: Greg Bringhurst and Miciana Hutcherson.

“Don’t be afraid to go outside (your community) and learn and come back. Whatever you learn apply it at home, but at the same time when you’re out there working, learning always know where you come from and where you’re going.”-Greg Bringhurst’s (Alaska Native professional) advice to emerging leaders on higher education and careers. “And know you’re always bettering yourself to bring it back home.”

Alaska’s Native Voice 2016-Culture and Communities: culture is an important part of conversations taking place by leaders, community members and those involved in the arts. Talks include teaching traditions to young people and ensuring culture is respected in government policy.  Guests: Crystal Worl, Peter Williams, Melissa Shagaloff and Drew Michael.

“We all have a story to tell and it’s connected to the story of our ancestors. We are at an interesting time. We have change happening to our own story, and how we see ourselves, and where we want to go, and art is a tool to help facilitate conversation.” -Drew Michael (artist) on passing on tradition and culture through art. “It’s a good place to start if you want to learn about yourself, your culture, and you’ll learn about your history.”