Del Dumi Drum Group
This group encourages sobriety, respect and pride through traditional drum songs. The group performs at significant tribal gatherings and travels to non-local events. All students in seventh through 12th grades are encouraged to participate.
Healthy Choices
This program encourages students to make healthy lifestyle choices, focusing on nutrition, teen pregnancy, and avoiding drugs and alcohol. Designed and operated in partnership with the Division of Juvenile Justice, this program is open to youth in grades seven through 12.
Jabila’ina Dance Group
This group has a rich and deep tradition and has performed at many local and state events, including the Arctic Winter Games, Peninsula Winter Games, Festival of Native Arts, Alaska Federation of Natives Convention, and the annual Dena’ina Festival in Kenai. Jabila’ina means “People of the Rainbow.” Tribal Elder Peter Kalifornsky gave us this name, and the group works to uphold and preserve his legacy.
Nach’anik’na Program
Meaning “our children,” this winter program includes ice fishing, camping at cabins maintained by the U.S. Forest Service, snowshoeing, movie nights and more. This is a great program for youth looking to keep busy during the shortest, coldest days of the year.
Native Youth Olympics
One of our most popular programs, members of the Ggugguyni Native Youth Olympics Team practice traditional sports and learn the importance of sportsmanship. Participants develop strength, balance, endurance and coordination, and compete in events across the state. The junior team is open to youth in first through sixth grades, while the senior team is open to those in seventh through 12th grades.
Environmental Protection Program
The Environmental Protection Program embodies two important traditional Kahtnuht’ana Dena’ina values – stewardship and education. We strongly believe in the respectful use of land, resources and all creations, as well as passing down cultural knowledge and traditions and supporting formal education.
The program hosts youth science camps every summer, teaching campers traditional stewardship values and introducing them to environmental conservation practices. Throughout the year, we partner with many organizations on events and projects supporting environmental protection.
We have completed wetlands protection and other conservation efforts over the years, and continue to set new goals to ensure our resources are protected well into the future.
