The AFN Convention is the largest representative annual gathering in the United States of any Native peoples.
Delegates are elected on a population formula of one representative per twenty-five Native residents in the
area and delegate participation rates at the annual convention typically exceed 95%. 4,000–5,000 delegates
attend each year, and the proceedings are broadcast live via television and radio reaching Alaska Natives and
non-Natives alike from Barrow to Ketchikan, from the Aleutian Chain to the Canadian border. During the convention,
the entire state of Alaska is blanketed with discussion on current events and issues. International observers
are present at most meetings, both exchanging information and learning from the Alaska Native experience. Each
year the convention adopts a theme, last year's the theme was Follow the Lights: Native Ways of Knowing with
a focus on Alaska Native education.
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