LETTER: AFN should have put Clinton endorsement to a vote first

To the editor:

This is an open letter to Alaska Native Indigenous peoples, Tribal organizations and Regional Councils: The AFN Presidential endorsement Res. 16-5:

WHEREAS: The Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) is the largest statewide Native organization in

Alaska and its membership includes 185 federally recognized tribes, 153 village corporations, 12 regional corporations and 12 regional non-profit and tribal consortiums that contract and compact to run federal and state programs; and . . .”

AFN’s endorsement cites the regional corporations and village entity’s approval in the first point of their endorsement. It appears I am involved by association and I am appalled. It is clear that I have been taken advantage along with thousands upon thousands of Alaskan Indigenous people, unknowingly and unwillingly so.

The action taken by AFN is not fair — It should have come to a vote of the people before AFN did this, and if you did not willingly take part in this I ask you (Tribal Organizations and Regional Corporations) to intervene with your own press release with wording stressing your noninvolvement and disdain and include actions that will be taken in order for us (Alaska Native Indigenous peoples) to withdraw this endorsement.

Sincerely,

—Teresa Capo

Wasilla