Elders and Youth conference begins with blessing

More than a thousand Alaska Natives, young and old, from across the state are meeting today at the 33rd annual Elders and Youth conference.
The event, hosted by the First Alaskans Institute, is usually an opportunity for 13- to 18-year-olds to learn about leadership, civic engagement and consensus building alongside their elders.
Attendees are encouraged to talk seriously about issues facing their communities, and there are many afternoon workshops focused on language, culture, subsistence and p