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Kenaitze Indian Tribe

Kahtnuht’ana Dena’ina

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Tribal Member Youth Invited To Apply For Board, Commission & Committee Seats

November 22, 2022

The Tribal Council is currently accepting letters of interest from Kenaitze Youth Tribal Members for upcoming youth vacancies on some of the Tribe’s Boards, Commissions and Committees.

In general, Boards, Commissions and Committees meet on a monthly basis and provide advisory recommendations for Tribal Council’s consideration regarding each of their respective areas.

Attached please find a summary of all the responsibilities, duties, and youth term limits for the Board, Commission or Committees that have a youth seat.

If you are interested in serving on one of the Boards, Commissions, or Committees as a youth member, please submit a detailed letter of interest.

Letters of interest must be received no later than Wednesday, December 7, 2022 by 5:00 p.m. and may be emailed to jcrump@kenaitze.org or mailed to:

Kenaitze Indian Tribe
Tribal Programs Department
P.O. Box 988
Kenai, AK 99611

Please contact Jessica Crump, Tribal Member Services Supervisor, regarding further assistance at (907) 335-7204.

Board, Commission and Committee Descriptions

Constitution Committee – One year non-voting term (youth age 16-24)
The Committee’s purpose is to review revisions to the Constitution and to make recommendations to the Tribal Council and Membership. Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

  • Recommend revisions to the Constitution and participate in public meetings of the Tribal Members regarding the proposed revisions.
    Review of new and/or established Ordinances to ensure compliance with the Constitution.

Court Code Committee – One-year term as ex officio (youth age 16-24)
The Committee’s purpose is to review, revise and update the Kenaitze Tribal Court Codes, including related policies and procedures, to serve and empower the sovereignty of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe and to make recommendations to the Tribal Council. Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

  • Protect the Tribal rights of Kenaitze Tribal Members, Alaska Natives and other community members who request the services of the Tribal Court.
    Review recommendations from the Title IV-E Committee.

Education Committee – One year voting term (youth age 16-24)
The Committee’s purpose is to provide culturally appropriate, Kenaitze Dena’ina support and guidance during the design, planning and implementation of a Tribal Education System and to make recommendations to the Tribal Council. Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

  • Review of the education-related programs and services offered and the Dena’ina Language and Culture Revitalization Project (DLCRP).
    Provide insight, knowledge and ideas of sharing, teaching and developing the Dena’ina language, culture and traditional knowledge.

Environmental Protection Committee – One year voting term (youth age 16-24)
The Committees purpose is to research, protect and monitor all air, lands and waters customarily and traditionally used by the Kahtnuh’tana to the fullest extent of the Law and recommend policies to the Tribal Council that will assist the Tribe in meeting its Mission, Vision, and Strategic Plan. Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

  • To research and make recommendations to Tribal Council regarding climate change and renewable energy resources.
    To review and make recommendations to the Tribal Council regarding the establishment of the conservation district.

Finance Committee – One year non-voting term (youth age 18-24)
The Committee’s purpose is to provide advice and to make recommendations to the Tribal Council regarding financial matters and financial policies. Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

  • Review of financial audit reports and forward the auditor’s recommendations to the Tribal Council.
    Review of financial policies, annual draft budgets and budget amendments.

Hunting, Fishing and Gathering Commission – One year voting term (youth age 16-24)
The Commission’s purpose is to provide oversight for the Tribe’s traditional hunting, fishing and gathering activities and to make recommendations to the Tribal Council. Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

  • Review of the End-of-Year Fishery Report and the Annual Fishery Plan and Curriculum.
    Recommend policy, rules and regulations of the Tribe’s fishing, hunting and gathering and recommend equipment and facility requests to the Tribal Council.

Land Committee – One year voting term (youth age 16-24)
The Committee’s purpose is to make recommendations to the Tribal Council regarding policies regarding all lands, air and waters customarily and traditionally used by Kenaitze people. Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

  • Research, identify and maintain an updated inventory of all Tribal lands.
    Monitor reports of the environmental impact and the cultural significance of sites on lands owned by the Tribe.

Filed Under: Stories

Kenaitze Indian Tribe

Locations

Kenaitze Administration • (907) 335-7200
Dena'ina Wellness Center • (907) 335-7500
Early Childhood Center • (907) 335-7260
Yaghanen Youth Programs • (907) 335-7290
Tyotkas Elder Services • (907) 335-7280
Na’ini Family and Social Services • (907) 335-7600
Kenaitze Tribal Court • (907) 335-7219

Directions & Maps

Photos

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Heidi King, NCAC II, CDCS

Recovery Support Manager/Counselor
Heidi has eight years of experience in the chemical dependency field. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with a minor in Women’s Studies, from the University of Alaska. She is a nationally accredited Chemical Dependency Clinician, and a state accredited Chemical Dependency Clinical Supervisor.

Heidi has a background in providing residential chemical dependency counseling. She is certified as a Conflict Resolution and Relapse Prevention Trainer with the National Association of Addiction Counselors. She is also a certified Peer Supports Trainer and Supervisor through the Alaska Commission of Behavioral Health Certification.

When she’s not serving un’ina, Heidi teaches yoga as a certified and registered instructor. She also enjoys hiking, fishing, and spending time with her child, spouse, and numerous pets, camping all over Alaska.

Heidi provides chemical dependency counseling services in group settings and individual sessions.

Heidi can personally relate to chemical dependency and is passionate about helping those seeking recovery supports. For Heidi, healing is community, and community is an important part of connection with one’s self. She sees the positive ripple effect that healing can provide throughout the community.

Fridrik Rafn Gudmundsson, MSW, LCSW

Recovery Support Manager
Fridrik has earned his master’s degree in Social Work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He studied massage therapy in Iceland, and became fascinated with the mind-body connection. He completed his undergraduate degree in philosophy with a psychology minor.

Fridrik has had the opportunity to live in four countries and to travel to many others. He counts finding and marrying the love of his life and adopting his son among his greatest accomplishments. He is grateful to be able to live in this beautiful and sacred part of the world and to serve the Tribe and un’ina, “those who come to us.”

When he’s not serving un’ina, Fridrik loves spending time with his family, hiking, kayaking, camping, fishing, traveling, and having fun. He enjoys learning, listening to music, and taking time for spiritual practice.

Fridrik provides assessments and individual, family and group psychotherapy at Chuq’eya Qenq’a, Birch Tree House.

For Fridrik, coming to the Kenaitze Indian Tribe felt like coming home. The more he learned about the Tribe and its history, as well as the history of the Alaska Native people, the more he knew he had found a place to be of service.

Teresa A. Ford, MSW, LMSW

Behavioral Health Clinician
Teresa earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Work at Limestone University in South Carolina, and her master’s degree in Social Work from Campbellsville University in Kentucky. Teresa’s experience includes serving homeless and other disadvantaged populations, as well as work in outpatient rehabilitation, hospice, chemical dependency, adult and adolescent counseling, and prevention.

Teresa appreciates the Kenaitze Indian Tribe’s traditional values. She sees them as a driving force in how we treat ourselves and others, and how we serve those in need of help.

When not serving un’ina, “those who come to us,” Teresa spends her time bonding with her family, creating and traveling. She also enjoys learning about Alaska Native culture, exploring new hobbies, and gardening.

Teresa provides individual, family, and group therapy services. Teresa takes a variety of approaches to therapy, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Focused Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy.

Teresa has always been a helper at heart. Being able to overcome the things she experienced growing up in South Carolina empowered and inspired her to help others navigate through their life journeys.