Stories

Tribe pays off Wellness Center loan 16 years early

The tide indeed is coming back in.
As planning and construction for the Dena’ina Wellness Center progressed, the tribe focused on the concept of Naqantugheduł, the idea that the tide has turned, and with it, a return of the culture that had been eroded over the years.
Friday, July 27 marked a major milestone for the tribe as the Wellness Center construction loan was paid off in full. Read More

Chandler Satkowiak completed surface and underground mining training this spring through the University of Alaska’s Mining and Petroleum Service. Days later, he left for a promising new job at Greens Creek Mine in Juneau.
“The mine is mind-blowing,” Satkowiak said.
As a tribal member, he received support with airfare getting to and from the camp. 
“Without the tribe helping me out, I would not be 19 years old, working the job I am, Read More

Tribe celebrates First Fish Potlatch

Under ever changing weather on the Cook Inlet beach, members of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe and invited guests from other tribes in the region came together for the First Fish Potlatch during the first weekend in May.
“Today we celebrate our first fish, as we have been doing for thousands of years,” Liisia Blizzard, Tribal Council Secretary, said in her opening prayer.
Tribal Council Chairperson Wayne Wilson Jr. Read More

Tribe offers support services, but resources are limited amid strong demand

Barehanded, breath visible, Eunice Ruhl knelt down, brushed snow off the log and propped it upright. With a grunt, she slung an ax over her shoulder and thrust it toward the ground. Read More

After four decades of drug use, a tribal member discovers sobriety

Blood was seeping into the man’s brain and he was high on cocaine.
The white powder, which he had snorted, was deep in his system when the aneurysm ruptured.
He heard the pop, felt the pop, an excruciating pain.
But he could not go to the doctor. Not with drugs in his system. Not if it meant jail time. Read More

The Kenaitze Indian Tribe has signed an agreement with the State of Alaska that establishes a framework for the tribe to provide additional child welfare programs across its service area on behalf of the Alaska Office of Children’s Services.
Kenaitze was among 18 Alaska tribes and tribal organizations that signed the agreement during the 2017 Alaska Federation of Natives Convention in Anchorage, the largest annual gathering of Native peoples in the United States. Read More

With an ulu in her right hand and a salmon filet under her left, Mary Lou Bottorff leaned forward and slid the blade toward the fish’s tail. A thin strip of meat, the length of a ruler, peeled away from the slab.
“You get better leverage with an ulu than a long knife,” Bottorff said. “Always cut from the head end of the fish toward the tail.”
About 15 people huddled around the wooden table, Read More

After years of planning, the tribe has officially opened an optometry program at the Dena’ina Wellness Center.
The program, managed by Dr. Will Phillips, began serving un’ina earlier this year.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to start a new program and help provide a much needed service,” Phillips said. “It’s good to be able to provide the service, and there’s definitely a need for it.”
The program offers examinations, contact lens fitting, Read More

The Kenaitze Indian Tribe officially opened the 2017 Educational Fishery on May 1, welcoming scores of tribal members to the fishery site in Kenai for a day-long celebration that included food, music, dancing and time around the fire.
It’s the 28th year the tribe has operated the fishery along the shores of Cook Inlet, Tikahtnu, near the mouth of the Kenai River. No salmon came to the net, but that didn’t dampen the mood on season’s opening day. Read More

In this video, Mary Lou Bottorff, an Elder with the Kenaitze Indian Tribe, talks about how gathering, preparing and sharing traditional Alaska Native food helps promote health and wellness. She volunteers her time to the tribe’s youth, elders and wellness programs and helps organize a monthly traditional foods potluck.
Tribal Elder Alexandra “Sasha” Lindgren explains how the tribe is working with researchers to better understand how the tribe’s traditional diet of salmon helps to connect Dena’ina people from the past, Read More