BETHEL, Alaska (AP) – Yukon-Kuskokwim tribes are calling for a special convention on regional self-governance to be held after the Association of Village Council Presidents delayed the event.

Mike Williams, an Akiak tribal member, said nearly 30 tribes have signed a resolution demanding the convention take place March 22-23 in Bethel, KYUK-FM reported on Tuesday. The date will allow tribes to get together before subsistence.

Williams said the initiative comes after AVCP regional delegates passed a resolution at an annual convention last fall to hold a special gathering Feb. 16 on regional determination. The event never took place.

“We had been looking at a borough and constitutional form of government under the tribes,” Williams said. “We had been examining a lot of options to unite the region.”

However, AVCP Executive Vice President Mike Hoffman said the February date for a special convention was never set in stone. The executive board set the official date at a meeting last month for the convention to be held June 8-9, he said.

Williams said the association has not responded to the tribe’s demands.

Akiak Native Community Chief Ivan, who announced his resignation from the AVCP executive board Thursday, said he has signed the resolution and will attend the convention whenever it takes place.

Ivan’s resignation leaves no executive AVCP for Unit 4, which includes Akiachak, Akiak, Kwethluk and Tuluksak.

“I served on their behalf to the best of my abilities to protect their subsistence hunting and fishing life and to fight against alcohol and drug issues and our quest to continue our yuyurag as instructed by our family members and area elders,” he said.

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Information from: KYUK-AM, http://www.kyuk.org