ICT is working to shape the future of journalism and stay connected with readers like you. A crucial part of that effort is understanding our audience. Share your perspective in a brief survey for a chance to win prizes.

Joaqlin Estus
ICT

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The head of the Alaska Federation of Natives has decided to leave her post after 40 years with the organization. Julie Kitka, Chugach Eskimo, told Alaska Public Media she plans to take up a new role at AFN, to be announced sometime in the near future. Kitka will be leaving the president/CEO position in 2024. A search is getting underway for her replacement.

“Julie Kitka has been a true champion for Alaska Native people through her steadfast commitment to AFN,” board Co-chair Ana Hoffman, Yup’ik, said in a statement. “Her gifts of intellect, curiosity, kindness, inclusion and creativity have established her as a statewide leader and a national resource. Her vast knowledge of our history as Alaska Native people and the foundation she’s built for the achievements yet to come, instills hope and anticipation for AFN’s next phase. Quyana cakneq, Julie,” Hoffman said as she thanked Kitka for her service.

Kitka began working for AFN in 1984 and served as special assistant for human resources, Washington, D.C. lobbyist, and then vice-president before she was elected president in 1990. In a prepared statement, the board said Kitka’s “impressive accomplishments include helping greatly expand the Native health system, advocating and pursuing policies to fulfill the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act’s vision for sustainable economies, and helping to build public-private partnerships that benefit all Alaska Native communities.”

“It is difficult to imagine an AFN without Julie Kitka, but we are committed to a thoughtful and healthy transition,” said AFN Co-chair Joe Nelson, Tlingit, in a statement. “We are fortunate to have so much talent in our communities. We have a bright future in large part because of AFN and Julie’s leadership.”

The board plans to start the application process for a successor in March through the nonprofit The Foraker Group, with the goal of having a new President in office in time to lead the October AFN annual convention.

“The Alaska Federation of Natives is the largest statewide Native organization in Alaska. Its membership includes 179 federally recognized tribes, 154 village corporations, 9 regional corporations, and 10 regional nonprofit and tribal consortiums that contract and compact to run federal and state programs. AFN is governed by a 38-member board” said the statement.

Our stories are worth telling. Our stories are worth sharing. Our stories are worth your support. Contribute $5 or $10 today to help ICT carry out its critical mission. Sign up for ICT’s free newsletter.