The federation's board of directors voted last week to again hold its convention at the new Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center, just like this year.
The vote was a blow to Fairbanks leaders who had hoped to attract the group to their city next year. The annual gathering has alternated between Fairbanks and Anchorage over the past four years and federation leaders had talked about continuing that trend.
The convention each October draws thousands of visitors to the host city.
"This doesn't mean that AFN will never come back to Fairbanks," said George Irvin, a senior adviser to the federation.
Fairbanks had made a bid for next year's convention and the 2010 event. Irvin said Monday the board likely will not vote on a 2010 site until late next year.
Fairbanks and Anchorage have competed in recent years for the attention of Alaska Native organizations. The World Eskimo-Indian Olympics moved to Anchorage last year, for a one-year trial run, after more than four decades in Fairbanks.
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