March 2022 is National Social Work Month! The Policy Committee recognizes the spirit of our allies and working groups that encourage unity, empowerment, and support for social action. We are proud to collaborate with community members, agencies, and organizations that understand the importance of social work when addressing human rights and seeking social change.

The policy committee welcomes our partners in fighting for and supporting legislation that promotes positive outcomes for the lives of BIPOC people. The Alaska Black Caucus advocates for the lives and livelihoods of Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) across Alaska. We are committed to work toward eliminating all forms of racial prejudices; to keep the public aware of the adverse effects of racial, educational, political, and economic discrimination, and to resolve to take all affirmative and necessary action to secure and insure the elimination of all forms of prejudice.

On February 15, 2022, the State Senate Affair Committee hearing was held for HB 123, the Alaska Tribal Recognition Act. HB 123 is a crucial piece of legislation that will require the state of Alaska formally recognizes the sovereign status of Alaska’s 229 Native Tribes. Therefore, we were honored to join our partner Alaskans for Better Government and many more Alaskans to tell our legislators why Tribal sovereignty is so important.

The link for the HB 123 document and the live session recording:

HB 123 STATE RECOGNITION OF TRIBES  

Live Testimony:  Audio/Video