When the nonprofit Data for Indigenous Justice filed public records requests with the Alaska Department of Public Safety concerning cases it had investigated, the state rejected them.
By Kyle Hopkins, Anchorage Daily News
August 29, 2025
On August 25, 2025, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) Epidemiology Department successfully hosted its annual Scientific Advisory Council (SAC) meeting under the theme “Sharing Knowledge, Serving Communities, Strengthening Tribal Public Health.” Held at the Southcentral Foundation’s NUKA Building, the event brought together over 100 attendees, including representatives from 12 Tribal Health Organizations (THOs), the Alaska Division of Public Health, education partners, and CDC.
The SAC meeting serves as a vital platform for strengthening partnerships in Epidemiology, as well as for all involved, by sharing key data and resources and gathering input from Tribal leaders on health priorities and training needs. Attendees engaged in rich discussions and provided valuable feedback on Epidemiology-led projects, shaping the future direction of the department.
The agenda featured a diverse array of sessions, including:
This year’s SAC meeting highlighted the importance of collaborative partnerships and community-driven strategies in advancing public health for Alaska Native communities. The ANTHC Epidemiology Department extends its gratitude to all attendees and partners who contributed to the event’s success and looks forward to continued collaboration in the year ahead.
Participant Comments:
“I made a connection with an ANTHC employee working on shared goals. I look forward to hearing more about their work.”
“I have renewed faith in public health in Alaska, and increased knowledge in the EpiCenter’s functions.”
In August, our team partnered with RMTEC to host three concurrent workshops designed to support TECs in telling the story of their work in their communities.
One of the three sessions was a digital storytelling workshop led by Jen Nowicki. Over the course of three days, participants came together to explore creative ways of sharing their experiences and the impact of their work through short digital stories.
We’re so excited to share four of the stories created during the workshop. Each one highlights the passion, purpose, and people that power Tribal public health programs.
Digital storytelling is a powerful way to uplift personal voices and connect them to the bigger picture of community health and wellness. We’re grateful to everyone who participated and shared so openly, and to our partners for helping make this gathering possible.
Over the past five years, the average screening rate among Tribal health organization partners increased from 46% to 62%, representing a 35% improvement. This progress has contributed to a meaningful reduction in colorectal cancer incidence and mortality among Alaska Native people. Colorectal cancer screening is recommended for Alaska Native people 40 and older, and all adults ages 45 and up.
The program supported seven Tribal health organizations across the state by providing technical assistance, provider education, and ongoing support through community calls and peer learning opportunities. These efforts created space for partners to learn from one another and share best practices. The program also assisted with mass mail-outs of at-home stool test kits, distributed culturally relevant education materials, and promoted consistent, collaborative engagement to expand access and awareness.
Additional efforts included addressing the colorectal cancer screening referral backlog at the Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC), which improved access to colonoscopy services and helped reduce the burden on clinical staff.
Culturally tailored outreach was a significant success. Alaska-themed colorectal cancer screening media were developed and translated into Yupik, helping to engage rural and Alaska Native communities in a meaningful way.
Additionally, the Colorectal Cancer Program also focused on policy updates, which included updating and revising the ANMC Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines (2021), supported the passage of an Alaska Federation of Natives-approved resolution (#21-14) to promote screening and address cancer disparities, and submitted a letter of support for proposed changes to Title 7 of the Alaska Administrative Code to expand Medicaid coverage for colorectal cancer screening.
Together, these efforts have advanced health equity and strengthened Alaska’s statewide approach to colorectal cancer prevention, early detection, and improved patient outcomes.
To learn more about the ANTHC Colorectal Cancer Control Program, visit: https://epi.anthc.org/crc/
If you are 40 and would like to schedule a colorectal cancer screening, speak to your primary care provider, or call the ANMC Colorectal Cancer Screening Clinic at 907-729-4444. The clinic will work with you and your provider to schedule the appropriate referral.
View the Booklet here: https://simplebooklet.com/tribalsuccessstories
