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
Top-notch competition – and sportsmanship
Native Youth Olympics Invitational celebrates five years as part of the Peninsula Winter Games
When he was called to the stage during an awards ceremony at the 2017 Native Youth Olympics Invitational, Joseph Whittom didn’t believe his ears.
“When they called my name, I was super surprised. I was like, wait, did they say that right? I was amazed,” Whittom recalled. “When I went up there, I wasn’t smiling at first and my mom looked at me and was like, Read More
Loud and fun
Native Youth Olympics planned Jan. 20 to 22 in Kenai
The 2017 Native Youth Olympics Invitational is scheduled for Jan. 20 to 22 at Mountain View Elementary School in Kenai. The tribe’s Yaghanen Youth Program will host the event as part of the annual Peninsula Winter Games.
The NYO competition features traditional events such as the seal hop, kneel jump and one-foot high kick, among others. Sportsmanship is valued over results as teams from across Alaska compete in junior and senior divisions. Read More
Kenaitze Indian Tribe, Alaska Court System announce joint-jurisdiction project
Henu’ Community Wellness Court to serve residents across central Kenai Peninsula
The Kenaitze Indian Tribe has officially entered a historic government-to-government partnership with the Alaska Court System, signing an agreement to create a joint-jurisdiction state-tribal therapeutic court that will serve people across the central Kenai Peninsula later this year.
Representatives of the tribe, state court and the Office of the Attorney General signed the agreement Thursday afternoon in Courtroom 203 of the Rabinowitz Courthouse in downtown Fairbanks. Read More
Building bonds
Elders support Elders through tribe’s Senior Companion Program
Laura Hobson and Nancy Nelson walked into the store, one after the other, and began peering at the collection of antiques.
“Oh, this is pretty,” said Hobson, pointing to a lamp.
“Look at this,” said Nelson, running her hand along the edge of a handheld mirror.
The women stayed close, a few strides apart, slowly moving past rows of lamps, figurines and dishes. Read More
Making the Kilometers Count
Tribe hosts 4th Annual Superhero 5K Run/Walk to benefit CASA program
It’s not every day that 13-year-old Jaron Kenner gets to dress up as Star Wars hero Hans Solo.
So when he had the chance to participate in the tribe’s 4th Annual Superhero 5K Run/Walk – which not only allows superhero costumes, but encourages them – he wasn’t about to turn it down.
Even if it meant running to a finish line far, Read More
A super race, a super cause
4th Annual CASA Superhero 5K Run/Walk scheduled for Aug. 20
Get ready to channel your inner superhero.
The 4th Annual CASA Superhero 5K Run/Walk is set for 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 20. The race begins and ends at the Tribal Courthouse in Old Town Kenai.
“It’s a great time to have families get together and enjoy our beautiful state of Alaska,” said Thia Peters, the tribe’s CASA program coordinator. Read More
Sticking to Health
Dena’ina Wellness Center uses special tape to ease pain, increase mobility
When Alexandra “Sasha” Lindgren went to the hospital because of lower-body pain so severe she couldn’t walk, she faced the possibility of needing a wheelchair.
A torn left meniscus and lymphedema growth under the same knee, plus anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) issues, had left her nearly immobilized.
Compounding those difficulties, Lindgren admits she is overweight.
“You can’t lose weight if you can’t exercise, Read More
Celebrating 100 Years
Fiocla Wilson, the tribe’s eldest member, enjoys milestone birthday.
Connie Wilson remembers the moose-hunting trips and salmon-fileting sessions. Diana Zirul remembers playing piano in the entryway of her home. And Dan Hakkinen remembers the tasty soups cooking on her cast iron stove.
Longtime friends and five generations of family members filled the Heritage Place in Soldotna on June 30 to celebrate the 100th birthday of Fiocla Wilson, the tribe’s eldest member. Read More
Spreading Their Creative Wings
Tribe hosts children’s art workshop
Some of the area’s youngest artists have taken their work to new heights.
The tribe’s Environmental Protection Program recently hosted an art workshop at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center, offering instruction and encouragement to more than 25 children as they prepared paintings and drawings for the 2016 PEEPS Kids Art and Photo Exhibit. The exhibit, themed “Birds of the Kenai Peninsula,” was part of the 2016 Kenai Peninsula Birding Festival. Read More
