“Lighting the Lamp for Strength in Unity”

The Annual Rural Providers' Conference (RPC) will be held in Kodiak, Alaska for the second year in a row, this year beginning Monday June 7, 2010 with opening ceremonies and concluding on Friday, June 11, 2010 with a staking ceremony.

The Kodiak Area Native Association is pleased to co-sponsor the conference.   

Home of the Alutiiq culture, the “emerald isle” is located on the second largest island in America.  It is a region steeped in history as well as adventure opportunities.  On-line registration will soon be available for the conference.

The RPC is an annual gathering designed by rural Alaskans who are substance abuse service providers, youth, Elders and family members interested in celebrating and encouraging the continual growth of the Alaska Native Sobriety Movement. The RPC embraces and unites traditional Alaska Native knowledge and modern treatment methods in the battle against alcohol and drug abuse. The conference features ceremonies, talking circles and cultural events. Workshops and general sessions are geared toward clinicians working with rural Alaskans, those in recovery, as well as Elders, youth, and other adults.  UAA-Kodiak College academic credit, Alaska Commission for Behavioral Health Certification, as well as CEU credits are available for conference attendees.

Since its formation in 1984 when 60 participants gathered at Camp Carroll in Anchorage, the RPC has grown significantly with as many as 400 people attending annually. Now in it's 27th year, the conference has traveled to 11 different Alaskan communities, with each hosting the conference for two consecutive years.

Click here to download a conference agenda (8 pages). 

Monday at 5 pm registration begins, and Friday ends with closing ceremonies at 12 noon.

Traveling to RPC

There are two ways to travel to Kodiak: by plane or by the Alaska Marine Highway.  Alaska Airlines and ERA both serve Kodiak.  The ferry has routes from Whittier and Homer.  Those participants flying into Anchorage from rural communities can receive a 5-10% discount Alaska Airlines using code ECCMB1404.  Era/Frontier Airlines is offering a 15% discount.  Reservations must be made by calling 1-800-866-8394 and referencing Event ID RPC10 to receive the event fare. Travel must take place between June 4 and June 14 to receive the discount.

The conference will be held at the Kodiak High School at 722 Mill Bay Road - a central location close to downtown Kodiak.  Hotels offering RPC discounts in Kodiak are:  the Best Western Kodiak Inn and the Comfort Inn.  The Russian Heritage Inn and Shelikof Lodge are other lower cost options.  The RPC has events and activities each evening after workshops, however, if you’re looking for ideas to explore Kodiak while you’re there, click here for an online version of the Kodiak Visitor’s Guide.

For more information, contact Janice Berry at RurAL CAP,  jberry@ruralcap.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it type="text/javascript">< , or 907-865-7354 in Anchorage (toll free 1-800-478-7227 x7354) or Margie Bezona, KANA Local Committee Co-Chair at 907-486-9800.

Click here to download a list of B&Bs in Kodiak willing to offer a discount to RPC attendees.

Click here for everything you need to know about past Rural Providers' Conferences!