ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The Alaska Federation of Natives will not have a U.S. House forum at its annual convention, AFN President-Elect Benjamin Mallott confirmed on Monday.

“This year, just with the amount of information we have, presenters, the time kept getting squeezed and squeezed and squeezed,” Mallot said.

Mallott said after looking at the potential agenda, there was no time for a candidate forum — which has become an annual tradition — because staff wanted to focus on this year’s theme, “Our Children, Our Future Ancestors.”

Incumbent Democrat Rep. Mary Peltola, who is the first Alaska Native member of Congress, is set to face three challengers in the upcoming general election: Republican Nick Begich III, Alaska Independence candidate John Wayne Howe, and out-of-state federal prisoner Eric Hafner , who is running as a Democrat.

The annual convention serves as the Alaska Native community’s principal forum and voice for addressing critical issues. In 2022, AFN endorsed Peltola.

A similar resolution has been submitted for consideration by delegates this year, Mallott said.

Several Native corporations and organizations have already endorsed Peltola. A spokesperson for the representative’s campaign said Peltola supports the decision not to have a forum.

“We are glad AFN is not choosing to host a forum with a candidate who has routinely put down Mary for partaking in Alaska Native traditions important to her community and for celebrating the life of a loved one after her husband passed away. Mary is proud to have earned AFN’s endorsement in the last election and hopes to do so again in 2024,” Peltola’s communication director Shannon Mason said.

Begich campaign spokesperson Silver Prout disagreed with the cancelation in a statement.

“The opportunity to debate ideas and direction for our communities is a bedrock of our Republic,” Prout said. “In my view, it is a disservice to the Alaska Native community to deprive AFN members of the opportunity to make an informed decision after comparing both congressional candidates’ ideas and records.”

However, Mallot counters the convention will still offer participants a candidate questionnaire, and said candidates are still encouraged to attend the free event.

“Listen to our priorities, listen to our stories, and get to know us and vice versa,” Mallot said. “So, as such, we invite any candidate to come in, sit with the audience, talk to our delegates, talk to our team members.”

He said Alaska’s congressional delegation and Gov. Mike Dunleavy are expected to make legislative speeches at the event.

He also said a resolution is expected to be presented in support of ranked-choice voting.

The convention will be held on Oct. 17-19 at the Dena’ina Civic & Convention Center in Anchorage.