The River Will Flow
Tribe receives school district approval for Tułen Charter School
Representatives from Kenaitze’s Tribal Council, leadership team and Education department clap upon hearing the unanimous vote in favor of the Tribe’s charter school application by the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education. The vote took place in a special meeting on Nov. 18.
The Tułen Charter School moved another step closer to reality with approval of the Tribe’s application from the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education.
“Our Tribe’s vision is ‘to assure Kahtnuht’ana Dena’ina thrive forever.’ For many years, a school grounded in traditional Dena’ina culture and values has been an integral part of that vision,” said Tribal Council Secretary Ronette Stanton. “We look forward to providing an educational experience where our culture and traditional knowledge are interwoven with all aspects of learning to foster a sense of pride, belonging and self-confidence.”
The school board approved the Tribe’s application for a five-year period during a special meeting on Nov. 18. All nine board members voted in favor of approval.
Kyle McFall, Kenaitze’s Education Director, answers a board member’s question during the special meeting.
The application is now being forwarded to the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development. The last step in the application process is approval from the State Board of Education. The state board is expected to consider the Tułen Charter School application during its March 2025 meeting.
The Tribe’s plan for Tułen Charter School is to open in the fall of 2025 for students in kindergarten through third grade, with the option for future expansion as needed. The school’s curriculum will be grounded in traditional Dena’ina language, culture and values.
Tułen is a Dena’ina word meaning “the current is flowing” or “the river will flow.”
The Tribe’s vision is for the school “to be a beacon for educational excellence and cultural pride.” The vision statement describes a school “where the richness of Dena’ina cultural heritage is interwoven into every aspect of learning, fostering a deep sense of belonging, pride, and self-confidence.”
The board listens, at right, as Kyle McFall, Kenaitze Education Director, responds to a question.
The school will be housed at the Kahtnuht’ana Duhdeldiht Campus. Traditional Dena’ina learning will be integrated with a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics curriculum.
Initial staff will include a principal/teacher, a full-time certified teacher, a full-time teacher with a special education endorsement, a three-quarter-time certified teacher, and half-time administrative assistant. These staff members will be school district employees.
The Tribe will provide support services, contracted through a memorandum of understanding with the district. Details for the MOU are being worked out.
Donita Slawson talks about how meaningful it is to her to have a new school that will focus on teaching her Dena’ina culture. Slawson is Kenaitze’s Yaghanen Language and Culture Manager.
School board members and district administrators praised the Tułen Charter School plan, with several calling it “much-needed” and “exciting,” and offering congratulations.
Board Member Sarah Douthit, who represents Kenai, said that it’s been exciting for her to watch the Kahtnuht’ana Duhdeldiht Campus take shape.
“Watching the building go from the ground up has been so exciting, and this is another step in that. I’m so excited for our neighborhood, and for our students who get to celebrate their culture, to learn more about their culture. This is something I’m excited for Kenai to have. … I’m so proud that we’re bringing this to Kenai, and really looking forward to your progress,” Douthit said.
Board Member Dianne MacRae, who represents Kasilof, summed it up with an emphatic “Chiqinik!”
District Superintendent Clayton Holland said he is looking forward to welcoming the district’s 43rd school when Tułen opens next fall.
“I want to acknowledge all of the hard work that’s gone into this charter and all of the good people working on it,” Holland said. “… It’s been a long time coming, and something needed for our community. We’ve had a great long-term partnership with Kenaitze over the years, and I look forward to continuing with that, just in a different manner. Thank you for all the good work from everyone here today.”
During the public comment portion of the special meeting, Donita Slawson, the Tribe’s Yaghanen K-12 Program Manager, said she grew up in the school district, and became a teacher because of it. She said she would love for her 1-year-old granddaughter to have the opportunity to attend Tułen Charter School and to learn about her culture, heritage and story.
“Long ago, the Dena’ina felt invisible. Today, with the Yaghanen program … we’re able to teach ourselves who we are, to give that confidence to our children, to give them the knowledge of who they are, who they represent, and be able to let them know that they represent their community, but also their family,” Slawson said.
Slawson offered thanks and gratitude to the board, both in English and Dena’ina.
“Thank you all for supporting this. I know it’s been a long road, but it’s been a dream, not only of mine, but of other parents for this charter school to happen. You’re making a dream come true for so many,” Slawson said.
To learn more about the Tułen Charter School, call Education Director Kyle McFall at 907-335-7254. If you are interested in enrolling your child, fill out an interest survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/V3PCK7Q.
