Dena’ina Communities
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The Dena’ina territory is one the largest and most varied of all the Dene languages in Alaska. The Dena’ina traditional territory stretches from the Kuskokwim River to Lake Clark and Lake Iliamna, across the Alaska Range to Cook Inlet, the Susitna Valley, and the Kenai Peninsula.
Hek’dichen Hdakaq’ (Lime Village)
Nunvendaltin (Nondalton)
Qizhjeh (Kijik)
Kijik Village was once one of the largest Athabascan villages in Alaska. Although Kijik is no longer continuously inhabited, the village site remains an important cultural gathering place.
Ch’ak’dalitnu (Iliamna)
Tubughnenq’ (Tyonek)
Tsat’ukegh (Susitna Station)
Niteh (Knik)
Idlughet (Eklutna)
Kahtnu (Kenai)
The present day town of Kenai and the surrounding area of the Kenai Peninsula is the home to the Kenaitze Indian Tribe, an IRA tribe and governing body for the Kenai Peninsula Dena’ina. The name Kahtnu refers to the Kenai River. The old Kenai village site is called by the name Ch’k’ituk’t. Prior to European colonialization, the Kenai River between Kenai and Cooper Landing was one of the most densely populated areas of Alaska. The Kenai Peninsula Dena’ina developed innovative food preservation technologies which allowed them to exploit the rich resources of the Kenai River.