Kenaitze Indian Tribe

The Kenaitze Indian Tribe was federally recognized as a sovereign, independent nation in 1971 under the Indian Reorganization Act as amended for Alaska. Today, we have more than 2,100 tribal members who live across the Kenai Peninsula and beyond. We employ more than 400 full-time and part-time employees. The Tribe delivers a variety of programs and services that promote the wellness of our people and the community. In 2014, we opened the Dena’ina Wellness Center, a fully integrated healthcare facility offering a wide range of services beneath one roof. We also operate a tribal justice system, education services, an Elders center, a social services program, and more. At our Annual General Council Meeting every October, we elect members to the Executive Council to serve staggered terms. The seven-member Council governs the Tribe in accordance with our constitution, by-laws, ordinances and resolutions. It appoints a Chief Judge to oversee Tribal Court and uphold tribal laws, as well as an Executive Director to manage the Tribe’s day-to-day operations. In fall 2015, we plan to open Tułen Charter School in partnership with the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. The school will teach Dena'ina language, values and culture to kindergarten through third-grade students. Our funding comes from federal, state and private grants, as well as third-party revenue generated by our healthcare programs. It’s been thousands of years since our people, the Kahtnuht’ana Dena’ina, first inhabited the Kenai Peninsula. We call this area Yaghanen, the good land. After many challenges throughout the years, today we are proud to say Naqantugheduł – the tide is coming in. We say the tide is coming in because it’s an exciting time for the Tribe and our people as we continue to work toward our Vision: To assure Kahtnuht’ana Dena’ina thrive forever.