Photos: 2015 Alaska Federation of Natives convention

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Calvin Curtis, center, and Lena Allain, left, join an invitational dance as the Barrow Dancers perform for the clients and staff of Bean's Cafe midday Friday, October 16, 2015, downtown. The traditional Inupiaq dancing and drumming group is in Anchorage to participate in the Alaska Federation of Natives annual conference, and was scheduled to perform at the second night of Quyana Alaska, a traditional dance celebration held in conjunction with AFN. At Bean's Cafe, which provides meals to homeless people and others in need, the dance group closed with an invitational dance in which members of the audience participated.

The Alaska Federation of Natives participated in a surprise protest Thursday as hundreds of delegates raised hands with four fingers displayed, urging the governor to free the Fairbanks Four while an AFN co-chair sang a traditional grieving song usually reserved for those who die.

"There's no death, but a forceful taking away of freedom from four young men," said Jerry Isaac, co-chair of the state's largest Native organization. "We are shocked and saddened and grieving because the facts prove them innocent."

The demonstration marked the start of the 49th annual AFN convention at the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center in Anchorage. AFN calls the three-day event the largest gathering of indigenous people in the U.S., as thousands pour in from across the state to help set the year's political course for Alaska Natives.

READ MORE: AFN to Walker: 'Do the right thing' on Fairbanks Four