Tribal Leaders Call for Coordinated, Tribally Led Disaster Response at U.S. Senate Field Hearing in Bethel
BETHEL, Alaska — On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, led by Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), convened Part II of its Alaska field hearing in Bethel, titled “From Disaster to Resilience: Strengthening Tribal Communities through Federal Response, Mitigation, and Relocation Programs.” The event brought together Tribal leaders, regional organizations, and federal partners to examine urgent gaps and opportunities in disaster response and resilience across Western Alaska.
The afternoon hearing and subsequent Tribal Leader Listening Session were held at the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation Blueberry Conference Room and focused on improving coordination, strengthening funding pathways, and advancing Tribal self-determination in emergency preparedness and recovery.
The Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP) played a central role in the hearing. AVCP Chairman Thaddeus Tikiun, Jr. delivered powerful testimony on behalf of the 56 federally recognized Tribes in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic change.
“We cannot keep responding to Arctic typhoons and other disasters with a patchwork system and expect it to work,” said Chairman Tikiun. “We need a Tribally led, region-wide emergency response structure built for Western Alaska.”
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About:
Association of Village Council Presidents: Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP) is a regional non-profit tribal consortium comprising 56 federally recognized tribes of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. AVCP’s region is approximately 55,000 square miles, with a population of 27,000 residing in 48 communities along the Yukon River, Kuskokwim River, and Bering Sea coast. The residents of the region are primarily Yup’ik, Cup’ik, and Athabascan. AVCP is dedicated to supporting the interests of its member tribes, including through community development, education, social services, culturally relevant programs, and advocacy. AVCP promotes self-determination and protection and enhancement of cultural and traditional values. As part of its mission, AVCP has long been committed to advocating for the protection of the Bering Sea and its resources.
