Chookán, Lakrisha Brady, Youth & Cultural Education Coordinator
AASB’s Annual Legislative Fly-in and Youth Advocacy Institute (YAI) was held on February 7th and 8th in Juneau, Alaska. This Institute has been a great opportunity for school board members and youth leaders from across the state to gather and review statewide legislation that will affect schools across the state.
This year, YAI had representatives from 17 different school districts, and a total of 42 students and 21 chaperones. Each student had opportunities to explore various bills that were of interest to them. These included SB 204 Sub Teaching and School Board Eligibility, SB 209 High School Grad Requirements and Proficiency, and SB 210 Indigenous Cultural Heritage Education. With peers across the state, students discussed the three bills, and how they might impact their day-to-day lives in school, as well as impact the lives of those coming up behind them.
This year, students delivered testimony ranging from the importance of having access to their traditional knowledge, to how the cell phone bans would take away any autonomy, and the importance of funding education. They shared vulnerable stories about what schools and their communities look like now, and that they haven’t lived in a time when schools were fully funded. They all took multiple steps forward on their journey of sharing their voices.
Students were taught the importance of advocacy, and how it ranges from preparing and delivering testimony to legislators, to written testimony, to showing up at local school board meetings, and more.
Participants also had a chance to tour the Capitol building, and were able to ask questions and visit with Representative Rebecca Himschoot, Representative Nellie Unangiq Jimmie, Senator Löki Tobin, and Senator Jesse Bjorkman. Some questions included, “What are you doing to provide more cultural activities in school?”, “How does the state ensure that school districts with fewer local resources are funded equitably compared to wealthier schools?”, “How can the legislature provide incentives for new teachers to come to Alaska, and how can we grow our own?”, and more. Gunalchéesh to the legislators for their time and dedication to today’s Alaskan youth.
Students, alongside board members, testified to the Joint Education Committee, and you can see these testimonies here. Participants were also taught how to send written testimonies to various committees.
If you’re interested in learning more about developing youth leadership skills and creating opportunities for student voice in your district, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Youth Leadership team. Find out more by emailing Chookán, Lakrisha Brady.