Alaska Tribal Conference on Environmental Management: Safe, Healthy and Sustainable Alaska Communities

Alaska Tribal Conference on Environmental Management: Safe, Healthy and Sustainable Alaska Communities

April 17, 2025

The 31st annual Alaska Tribal Conference on Environmental Management (ATCEM), organized by the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC), convened in Anchorage, bringing together Indigenous leaders, environmental experts, policymakers, and community stakeholders to share experiences, inform change, and drive action. This year's event featured a range of discussions, workshops, and presentations customized to ATCEM's six tracks: capacity building, community infrastructure, solid waste, contaminated sites, One Health and resilience.

A central theme throughout the conference was increasing youth engagement and how public and private organizations working in environmental management can benefit from the Traditional Knowledge and insights that Tribes can provide. Attendees explored how this intergenerational collaboration can address complex environmental challenges.

"ATCEM is an event that facilitates essential networking, information-sharing, and cultural activities-all with a full focus on the needs of the audience," said Sarah Ingram, ANTHC Project Manager II for the Tribal Capacity and Training Program.

Conference highlights included:

• Panel Discussions and Presentations: Experts addressed environmental adaptation, sustainable resource management, emergency planning and management, and the integration of traditional ecological knowledge with contemporary science.
• Workshops: Interactive sessions offered hands-on solutions for environmental management, from community-led conservation to new cutting-edge technologies.
• Networking Opportunities: The event facilitated collaboration among community leaders, state and federal government representatives, and environmental advocates.
• Cultural Exchange: Alaska Native and American Indian cultures were celebrated through traditional performances, arts, and storytelling, underscoring the deep connection between Indigenous people and the land.

"It's always refreshing to see new and familiar faces of all ages doing amazing work for their communities and the future of the younger generations," said Tasha Mockta, ANTHC Program Administrator for the Tribal Capacity and Training Program.

About ATCEM:

The Alaska Tribal Conference on Environmental Management (ATCEM) has been a key resource for Tribal environmental managers in Alaska for over 30 years. The annual conference connects Tribal environmental professionals and partner organizations, providing access to valuable resources and fostering collaboration. Learn more at: https://www.anthc.org/what-we-do/community-environment-and-health/the-alaska-tribal-conference-on-environmental-management-atcem/

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