<Tr> <Th> Website </Th> <Td> www.nativefederation.org </Td> </Tr> <P> The Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) is the largest statewide Native organization in Alaska . Its membership includes 178 villages (both federally recognized tribes and village corporations), thirteen regional native corporations, and twelve regional nonprofit and tribal consortiums that contract and run federal and state programs . AFN is governed by a 37 - member board, which is elected by its membership at the annual convention held each October . The mission of AFN is to enhance and promote the cultural, economic and political voice of the entire Alaska native community . </P> <P> The Alaska Federation of Natives was formed in October 1966, when more than 400 Alaska Natives representing 17 Native organizations gathered for a three - day conference to address Alaska Native aboriginal land rights . The 1968 discovery of oil prompted Native leaders to push for a land claims settlement with unprecedented urgency . It was officially incorporated on January 8, 1970 . From 1966 to 1971, AFN worked primarily to achieve passage of a just and fair land settlement . On December 18, 1971, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) was signed into law . </P> <P> In the early - and mid-1970s, AFN provided technical assistance to help Alaska Natives implement ANCSA and set up the corporations mandated by the Act . Since then, AFN has evolved to meet the changing needs of Alaska Natives and respond to new challenges as they emerge, working to address and protect Native interests at the state and federal levels . </P>

Who sponsored the first state-wide alaska native gathering