{"id":54466,"date":"2019-10-17T07:55:00","date_gmt":"2019-10-17T15:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.juneauempire.com\/news\/dunleavy-draws-both-protests-and-applause-at-afn\/"},"modified":"2019-10-17T17:49:34","modified_gmt":"2019-10-18T01:49:34","slug":"dunleavy-draws-both-protests-and-applause-at-afn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.juneauempire.com\/news\/dunleavy-draws-both-protests-and-applause-at-afn\/","title":{"rendered":"Dunleavy draws both protests and applause at AFN"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t\t

A commitment to a more collaborative budget-making process and protecting the program that subsidizes power costs in rural Alaska were maybe the second and third most memorable parts of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s Thursday morning speech.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

Protests and subsequent rebukes from Alaska Native leaders made an impression during the governor’s address to the Alaska Federation of Natives annual convention.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

While addressing the Alaska Federation of Natives, audible protests and drumming could be heard competing with Dunleavy’s words in the live broadcasts, and social media posts indicated many in attendance stood with their fists held in the air.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

\"Protesters<\/a>

Protesters raise their fists during Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s speech at the Alaska Federation of Natives Contention, Thursday, Oct. 18,2019. (Courtesy Photo | Defend the Sacred Alaska)<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

Defend the Sacred Alaska, a movement meant to assert indigenous rights to public office holders, said in an email members of the movement unfurled a banner reading, “Recall is #GoodGovernment #TriballyLed #DefendTheSacredAK.”<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

“Good Government, Alaskan Driven” is the theme of this year’s AFN convention.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

Defend the Sacred Alaska contacts did not immediately return calls seeking comment.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

Dunleavy did not personally address the protesters, which included Grammy Award-winners Portugal. The <\/a>Man<\/a>, but AFN co-chair Will Mayo cut into the governor’s speech to ask the crowd to quiet down.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

Portugal. The Man joins audience members at the Alaska Federation of Natives and protests #Alaska<\/a> Governor Dunleavy during his opening remarks. #afn2019<\/a> @portugaltheman<\/a> #akleg<\/a> #akgov<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/z6NQIzA2zH<\/a><\/p>— Steph Quinn-Davidson (@SalmonStephAK) October 17, 2019<\/a><\/blockquote>