Honoring Elders and protecting legacies

This October, the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) Convention will once again shine a light on the wisdom and contributions of Alaska Native Elders. Two free special events-the Elizabeth Peratrovich Legal Clinic on Oct.16, and the Elder Appreciation & Wills Clinic on Oct. 17-will take place at the AFN Convention at the Dena'ina Convention Center, Second Floor, Room 5 in Anchorage, offering a blend of celebration of Elders and legal help for Alaskans. All are welcome at these free events and there is no admission fee to attend the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention.

Elizabeth Peratrovich Legal Clinic – Oct. 16

Since 2011, the Elizabeth Peratrovich Legal Clinic (EPLC), sponsored by the Alaska Bar Association and other community partners, has offered free drop-in legal consultations, helping hundreds of Alaskans with civil legal questions. This year's clinic will be held on Thursday, October 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Dena'ina Convention Center. Volunteer attorneys will be available for 30-minute sessions covering a wide range of non-criminal legal issues, including:

Family law issues such as divorce, custody, adoption, and guardianship.

Public benefits including Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP.

Housing and land concerns, from rental issues to foreclosure and allotments.

Tribal legal matters such as Indian Child and Welfare Act issues and tribal justice.

Probate, employment, and other non-criminal legal questions.

Volunteers at this clinic will also help seniors and families complete intake forms for the following day's Elder Appreciation & Wills Clinic, ensuring smooth access to free estate planning services.

Elder Appreciation & Wills Clinic – Oct. 17

The Elder Appreciation & Wills Clinic, organized by the Alaska Bar Association and Alaska Commission on Aging with support from numerous community partners and donors, will be a one-stop hub for free senior care, resources, and estate planning legal help.

Resource Tables for Seniors

From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., drop-in resource tables will provide seniors and their loved ones with direct access to information and referrals. Among the many services available:

Memory screenings and dementia consultations with specialists from the Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska.

Education and referrals on dementia from the Alzheimer's Association of Alaska.

Research updates and outreach about dementia in Alaska Native communities from Alaska Native Community Outreach & Resources at UAA.

SNAP application help, appeals support, and case status through Alaska Legal Services Corporation advocates and the Food Bank of Alaska.

Food pantry resources from Food Bank of Alaska to support seniors and families experiencing food insecurity.

Long-term care support services and person-centered intakes with Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) staff.

Senior benefits and heating assistance support provided through ADRC and the Food Bank of Alaska.

General senior resources shared by the Alaska Commission on Aging and other community organizations.

The clinic will also offer pre-scheduled appointments with volunteer attorneys who will draft estate planning documents for clients to sign before a notary public at the event. Clients will have the chance to prepare key legal documents including wills, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives. These documents help ensure that your wishes are clearly expressed-covering matters such as who should inherit property, who should handle your affairs after you pass, and who can make medical or financial decisions if you become unable to do so.

To secure an appointment, participants must complete an intake form by Oct. 16. Assistance with the form is available by calling the Alaska Bar Association at (907) 272-7469, visiting outreach booths in Anchorage, or by watching the recorded video presentation at alaksabar.org/eawc by estate planning attorney Chelsea Riekkola about the importance of these documents and how to choose who to name in the documents to carry out wishes. Seniors and individuals who are terminally ill will be given priority for legal appointments, though all are welcome to register.

To download the intake form and find out more details about where to get help in completing it, visit the Alaska Bar Association's website at http://www.alaskabar.org/eawc. Completed forms can be submitted directly to the Alaska Bar Association by Oct. 16 or dropped off at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Legal Clinic on Oct.16. Space permitting, walk-in clients may be able to get estate planning assistance by stopping by the Elder Appreciation and Wills Clinic on the morning of Oct. 17.

Celebrating Elders, strengthening communities

Both events reflect the Alaska Federation of Native's deep commitment to honoring Alaska Natives while addressing the practical challenges they face. This year's AFN Convention theme is "Standing Strong, Standing United." These events aim to further strengthen our community by addressing Alaskans' current legal and social services support needs and helping them plan for the future.

"Honoring and helping our elders is a core value of all Alaska Native cultures. These types of services are not easy to access for most people, so we want to meet elders where they are at and help them preserve their legacies," said Inupiaq attorney and Alaska Native Law Section co-chair Maude Blair.

Zita Chikigak is a Mature Alaskans Seeking Skills Training Volunteer at Alaska Commission on Aging. She said these two free events "strengthen the unity bond, emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually, for individuals, families, and services that are available through education and networking."

The Elder Appreciation & Wills Clinic is sponsored by the Alaska Commission on Aging, Alaska Bar Association, ACLU of Alaska, and Alaska Legal Services Corporation with in-kind support from Foley & Pearson.

The Elizabeth Peratrovich Legal Clinic is sponsored by the Alaska Bar Association, the Alaska Native Law Section, ACLU of Alaska, Alaska Legal Services Corporation, and the Alaska Native Justice Center.

Both events receive in-kind support from the Alaska Federation of Natives and are supported by generous donations from local law firms and individual attorneys.

Both events are free and open to the public. Seniors, families, and community members are encouraged to attend, connect with resources, and join in honoring the essential role of Alaska's seniors.

Details on the events:

Elizabeth Peratrovich Legal Clinic (EPLC): Thursday, Oct. 16, 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., Dena'ina Convention Center, Second Floor, Room 5.

Elder Appreciation & Wills Clinic (EAWC): Friday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Dena'ina Convention Center, Second Floor, Room 5.

Lea McKenna is the pro bono director of the Alaska Bar Association.