Kodiak Area Native Association

The Kodiak Area Native Association (KANA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1966. Its primary mission is to elevate the quality of life of Alaska Natives within the Koniag region, including Kodiak Island and its surrounding areas.

Service Area

KANA serves a vast service area that includes the City of Kodiak and six remote Alaska Native villages: Akhiok, Karluk, Larsen Bay, Old Harbor, Ouzinkie, and Port Lions. These areas are home to ten federally recognized tribes, with the Alutiiq (also known as Sugpiaq or Russian-Aleuts) being the predominant tribal culture.

Programs and Services

KANA provides a wide range of programs and services aimed at enhancing the well-being of Alaska Native communities. Key areas of focus include:

• Health Services: KANA offers comprehensive health care through departments such as Behavioral Health, Dental, Medical, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, and Wellness Center programs.
• Community Services: This includes Child and Family Services, Economic Development, Elder Services, Environmental Management, Infant Learning, Tribal Operations, Village Public Safety, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, and Workforce Development.
• Education and Training: Programs like Job Placement & Training, Scholarships, and Johnson O’Malley services support educational and employment objectives.
• Environmental Management: KANA works on water quality monitoring, hazardous and solid waste management, climate adaptation planning, and other environmental initiatives in partnership with local tribes and organizations.

Notable Initiatives

KANA has initiated several significant projects to address community needs:

• Cama’i Tribal Home Visiting Program: Focused on increasing positive parenting practices and reducing child neglect and abuse, this program incorporates cultural enhancements such as traditional parenting skills and crafts.
• Environmental Projects: A five-year project, starting in September 2023, focuses on studying Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) around the Kodiak Archipelago to ensure safe subsistence harvesting practices.
• Climate Resilience: KANA developed a comprehensive climate adaptation plan for the Kodiak region, identifying risks and strategies for resilient communities.

Core Values and Vision

KANA operates with core values rooted in Alutiiq traditions: courtesy, caring, respect, sharing, and pride. The organization's vision is to strengthen the people, villages, and communities it serves. Future goals include ensuring financial stability, delivering high-quality services, and maintaining strong partnerships with tribes and other community organizations.

[1] https://www.bia.gov/sites/default/files/dup/assets/bia/ois/ois/pdf/idc2-061085.pdf [2] https://kodiakhealthcare.org/who-we-are/ [3] https://acf.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ecd/kana_profile.pdf [4] https://kodiakhealthcare.org/what-we-do/community-services/environmental-management/ [5] https://kodiakhealthcare.org/who-we-are/overview/