Delores Churchill and Donald Varnell, both traditional artists from Ketchikan, will headline this year's convention Oct. 15-17.
KDLG: On Wednesday the Alaska Federation of Natives announced the keynote speakers for the 2015 annual convention.
This year renowned Haida weaver Delores Churchill and her grandson Haida master carver Donald Varnell will the deliver the address the morning of Thursday, October 15.
Both Churchill and Varnell hail from Ketchikan. Their works appear in collections around the world.
“AFN is pleased that Delores and Donald have accepted our invitation. Having two keynoters is a way for AFN to showcase the actual sharing of our cultural traditions between generations and they are an inspiration to the entire Native community,” AFN President Julie Kitka said. “This year’s theme was chosen as a way to recognize and celebrate the many heroes living among us, the people working humbly to strengthen our communities.”
AFN annual convention is the largest gathering in the United States of any Native peoples. The convention and the Alaska Native Customary Art Show are both open to the public.
The convention will be held October 15-17 at the Dena’ina Convention Center in Anchorage.