1. We are Tribal Citizens, Village Corporation Shareholders and Descendants, Regional Corporation Shareholders and Descendants, and customer-owners of our Tribal health system. Collectively, we are Alutiit/Sugpiat, the real people.
2. We are unwilling to give up our right to be sovereign people.
3. We understand that we are stronger together than apart.
4. We recognize and celebrate that our leaders are serving our people whether they are representing a Tribal Council, Village Corporation, Tribal Health Organization, Housing Authority, Regional Corporation, or Native nonprofit.
5. We acknowledge that each of our organizations may have differing obligations or focus areas, but all of them serve our people and it is crucial that we collaborate and use our resources to support one another, our Tribal Citizens, Shareholders, and Descendants.
6. We practice strategic advocacy, utilizing subject matter experts in our region to maximize efficiency and impact.
7. We assume good intentions, because we are all here for the right reasons – our people and our communities.
8. We know that being pro-Tribe does not mean that you are anti-Native Corporation. Similarly, being pro-Native Corporation does not mean you are anti-Tribe.
9. We seek to understand and listen first.
10. We always practice mutual respect, even when we disagree.
11. We recognize that compromise is often needed, and we must be willing to change our mind or adapt for the collective good.
12. We keep coming back to the table because not all disagreements can be resolved with one or two discussions.
13. We understand that healthy relationships are based on trust, and honesty and transparency are critical to trust. We believe that the leaders of our organizations should have healthy relationships with each other.
14. We build each other up and do not practice politics of personal destruction.
15. We don’t always see eye-to-eye but at the end of the day we are united and stand as one.
16. We are solutions focused and work through issues within our region first. We do not air our “dirty laundry.”
17. We recognize that unity does not mean we agree on everything. In fact, there are times we will agree to disagree. We must “agreeably disagree,” to ensure harmony and trust.
SIGNED THE 24th DAY OF AUGUST 2023
Afognak Native Corporation • Alutiiq Heritage Foundation DBA Alutiiq Museum • Alutiiq Tribe of Old Harbor • Kodiak Area Native Association • Kodiak Island Housing Authority • Koniag • Koniag Education Foundation • Leisnoi • Native Village of Afognak • Native Village of Akhiok • Native Village of Larsen Bay • Native Village of Ouzinkie • Native Village of Port Lions • Natives of Kodiak • Old Harbor Native Corporation • Ouzinkie Native Corporation • Sun’aq Tribe of Kodiak • Tangirnaq Native Village
