If that's the case, then Alaska's first peoples are tracking much of the rest of the United States.
Some of that is healthy. Any democratic process has division. But as Thomas pointed out, fighting within a group makes it harder to deal with challenges to the whole group. He cited high energy costs in rural Alaska, costs that hit predominantly Native villages hard.
AFN's convention always has been a unifying force in more ways than one.
For Native delegates, it's a huge reunion of people from every corner of the state. Debate may be lively, but a walk through the Dena'ina Center this week can be a tour of renewed friendships and family ties.
For the host city -- Anchorage this year -- the convention brings all of Alaska to call. Names on maps become names and faces of people, and the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers don't seem so far away. The Bering Sea erosion, the flooding of Crooked Creek and high cost of fuel in Huslia (and in every other village) become a little more real.
We can get wrapped up in the corridor along road and rail. But every October comes a gathering that reminds us of Alaska's range -- and gives us a chance to make connections that strengthen unity.
In sync with its theme, AFN will hold sessions on Native relations with state government, with the federal government -- and a dialogue on unity, moderated by Liz Medicine Crow of the First Alaskans Institute.
At a time when much of country's leadership seems bent on battle and eager to feed division, perhaps at least Alaskans will be able to take heart and a lesson from what AFN's delegates have to offer.
A warm welcome to the convention. We could all use a stronger sense of unity.
BOTTOM LINE: AFN theme isn't exclusive to convention.
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