Kenaitze Indian Tribe Information

The Kenaitze Indian Tribe is federally recognized, under the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 (IRA), as amended for Alaska in 1936, as a sovereign independent nation. Tribal members number over 1236, many live on the Kenai Peninsula and in Anchorage, others live throughout Alaska and as far away as the states of New York, Florida, Texas, and California. The Tribe's Executive Council, elected at the Tribe's annual meeting to serve staggered two year terms, governs the Tribe in accordance with the Tribe's Constitution, By-Laws, Ordinances, and Resolutions. The Executive Council appoints the Executive Director to implement established Council policy and procedures through programs and services that enhance and support the continued growth and success of the Tribe. The Kenaitze are Dena'ina people. The Dena'ina are a branch of Athabascan Native Americans. Many centuries ago, Athabascan people, nomadic hunters of the boreal forest, traveled from west of the Alaska Range to the shores of Cook Inlet. Recognizing the abundance of the land they named Yaghanen, the good land, the Kenai Peninsula, they settled along the banks of its rivers and Cook Inlet. To ensure the continuance of abundant cyclic resources Our Dena'ina ancestors' complex belief system was based on reverence and respect for all life. A successful harvest and hunt depended not only on fishing and hunting skills but also on the will of the fish or animal to be harvested. Fish and animals (infinite in number) would return again and again if respect was shown. These beliefs were transmitted orally to each succeeding generation. Today, we Kenaitze honor these same values and share our ancestors' deep respect and caring for the land and its resources. The Tribe continually seeks to reaffirm and preserve our cultural traditions by promoting greater awareness of our history. Copyright © Kenaitze Indian Tribe