Photos: 2014 Elders and Youth Conference

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Faith Brink, 16, of Bethel, center, and Shiann Nanalook, 17, of Iliamna, right, listen to elder James Sipary of Tooksook Bay, left, speak in Yup'ik during an Alaska Native Language Circle at the First Alaskans Institute Elders and Youth Conference at the Dena'ina Center in Anchorage on Monday, Oct. 20, 2014.

The importance of Alaska Native languages to culture, identity and individual well-being took center stage Monday as the First Alaskans Institute's Elders and Youth Conference – the precursor to the biggest Native gathering of the year – began in Anchorage.

The three-day Elders & Youth Conference, celebrating its 30th year, is drawing about 1,200 participants from Barrow to Kodiak to Metlakatla, plus vendors and artists. Its theme this year is "Get Up! Stand Up!" The conference connects youths to their Alaska Native culture with song and dance and also puts attention on deeper issues including homelessness and suicide.

Read more: Native language is theme of Elders and Youth Conference