The Alaska Federation of Natives, was founded in 1966 during a tumultuous period in our Native history. In that moment, we came together to the call of "Take our Land -- Take our Life" to protect our land and traditions. We formed a grassroots movement that depended on word of mouth, and one small Native newspaper -- the Tundra Times -- to inform our communities about what actions were being taken by a small, but very active Native leadership. Guided by our Elders, our leadership accomplished what was unthinkable at the time -- an entirely unprecedented land settlement with the United States government. Our leaders worked with a commitment to protect and advance the economic and cultural well being of our communities. We crafted an innovative agreement that established our unique relationship with the Federal Government, retained ownership of 44 million acres of our traditional lands and laid the foundation for our Native corporations.

Now, over four decades later, we are again faced with a challenging moment in history. The US economy has entered what will probably be the deepest recession any one of us will experience in our lifetimes—but these especially tough economic times bear with them especially exciting opportunities.

Alaska Natives will need to be proactive in taking advantage of the opportunities presented in these extraordinary times. We must again be the drivers of change. We must encourage entrepreneurship to jumpstart the economic engines of our communities. We must not get distracted by the negative headlines, but instead remain focused on the opportunities at hand. We must rethink our assumptions about the future, rethink our strategies in light of the transformation taking place and focus on laying the groundwork for economic success in the 21st century.

2009 promises to be a year of change. It is up to us what shape that change will take in our lives and in our communities. AFN is kicking the year off with two exciting competitions aimed at driving entrepreneurship and innovation in rural Alaska: the 4th Alaska Marketplace and an all new essay competition - "Native Insight: Thoughts on Recession, Recovery & Opportunity."

We invite each of you to get involved and to take ownership of this process. Together we will again overcome great obstacles to achieve great success. It is what our people do best.

Warm regards,

Julie Kitka, President

Tax deductible donations can be made to AFN through the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) Fund.