Stories

Dear Tribal Member,
The Tribal Council is accepting nominations for the following Kenaitze Tribal Member of the Year Award categories:

Kenaitze Tribal Member Elder Recognition Award: Recognizes a Tribal Member who has shown dedication to Alaska Native culture, heritage and communities. This award is for recognition of Tribal Members who are 55 years of age and older. The individual is recognized as a leader, an educator and/or preserver of Native culture whose accomplishments and/or contributions have benefited Tribal Members or other Native peoples. Read More

 
While the snow has been piling up this winter, the Tribe’s greenhouse has been piling up the produce.
Jeff Swan, the Greenhouse Coordinator – or as he jokingly refers to himself, “Plant Manager” – spent this winter applying the lessons learned from last winter. The name of the greenhouse, Ch’k’denłyah yuyeh, means “we grow something inside” in Dena’ina. The many pounds of fresh tomatoes, kale, lettuce and other produce have been provided to the Tribe’s Elders program. Read More

The Kenaitze/Salamatof Tribally Designated Housing Entity has a program for qualified Alaska Native and American Indians, who have disproportionately suffered from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, to provide emergency rental assistance for the payment of rent, utilities, and arrearages. Please see the application for additional details or to apply for funds.
Application Read More

In September, the Dena’ina Wellness Center’s Behavioral Health program moved into Chuq’eya Qenq’a, or Birch Tree House.
Chuq’eya Qenq’a is located just across the driveway from the main doors of the Dena’ina Wellness Center. The building previously housed Na’ina Family and Social Services. The building has been remodeled throughout to accommodate Behavioral Health department needs.
The new space has a number of features that will enhance the services that Behavioral Health staff provide. Read More

It’s the season for Elderly and disabled Tribal Members living in the Tribe’s service area to contact our Housing department to get on the sanding and snowplowing list for winter. Please call 335-7228 for details on how the program works. Read More

The Tribe’s Transportation program continues to evolve to meet changing needs.
“It’s an ever-changing machine,” said Brandi Bell, the Tribe’s Transportation Coordinator. “We don’t do as much of some things right now, but other areas are exploding.”
For example, the program has always focused on transporting Elders to the Dena’ina Wellness Center for appointments, to Tyotkas Elder Center for lunch and activities, and into town for “essential life activities” such as trips to the grocery store, Read More

Kenaitze Indian Tribe is now accepting public comments for the FY20 CSBG Tribal CARES Act Plan. Please submit comments to Roberta Turner at rturner@kenaitze.org or at Kenaitze Indian Tribe, Attn: Roberta Turner, P.O. Box 988, Kenai, AK 99611 by 5 p.m. Alaska Time, Sept. 28, 2020.
Download FY20 CSBG Tribal CARES Act Plan – Fillable PDF Read More

Kenaitze Tribal Court is seeking Tribal Members interested in serving as a Tribal Court Judges. Being a Tribal Court Judge requires a heart to serve, compassion, integrity, the ability to maintain confidentiality, and the ability to look at each case objectively while remaining fair and impartial.
Thorough training is provided to all judges and begins with the Kenaitze Indian Tribe’s Court Code. Judges must be willing to travel out of Alaska for continuing education and conferences. Read More

Time is running out to participate in the 2020 U.S. Census. Don’t miss this opportunity to help your community. The Census, conducted every 10 years, is more than a population count. One use of this information is for the allocation of federal funding.
In the case of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe, the accuracy and completeness of the demographics gathered in the census process will be essential to ensure that the Tribe receives the appropriate share of the funding in our service area.  Read More

Kenaitze Indian Tribe invites members of the public to review and comment on its revised Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program plan for fiscal year 2021. Grant documents are available by appointment by calling 907-335-7600.
Comments may be submitted by email to socialservices@kenaitze.org; by mail to Kenaitze Indian Tribe, attention Social Services, P.O. Box 988, Kenai, AK 99611; by fax to 907-202-8359; or left in the drop box at 1001 Mission Ave., Read More