Yaghali Du !
It is my honor and pleasure to announce that we are in receipt of a $750,000 grant award from the Rasmuson Foundation for furniture, fixtures and equipment for the new Dena'ina Wellness Center. These funds will go a long way in assisting us to furnish and equip our new facility! Thank you to the leadership and Board of Directors at Rasmuson Foundation - we are so thankful for your support!
Please note that all of the photo construction updates are posted weekly to our website - the facility is taking form incredibly fast - if you have time, it is worth the drive to Old Town to get a feel for the size and scope of the project. To all of our staff and Council - thank you for all of your hard work and support, it takes a great team to accomplish a great goal, we can all be proud of this one!
We are also very thankful for the tremendous community and state-wide support we have received for this project, including letters and resolutions of support from the City of Kenai, the Central Peninsula Borough, the Peninsula Community Health Centers, the State of Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, the State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Southcentral Foundation and the Rasmuson Foundation. We could not accomplish this without strong support and commitment from our partners.
Constructing the Dena'ina Wellness Center has been a top priority for the Kenaitze Indian Tribe for the past 12 years, and has been central to the strategic planning goals for the past 5 years. This has been a vision, goal and dream for many past Tribal Leaders, some who regrettably are no longer with us, and has been built on the foundation they laid before us. The Tribe has provided needed services in the central Kenai Peninsula since 1971 and has been recognized by the City of Kenai and the Kenai Peninsula Borough as an important partner in providing for the well-being of Alaska Natives and American Indians and their families.
Jaylene Peterson-Nyren, Executive Director
Kenaitze Indian Tribe
