Just 40 air miles southwest of Anchorage, situated along the west bank of the Cook Inlet, sits the Native Village of Tyonek. In February, the village held a Return of the Light community gathering and invited Southcentral Foundation to join in the celebration.
Valuing people and relationships is a cornerstone to Southcentral Foundation’s success. As a community-minded organization, SCF is proud to serve more than 65,000 Alaska Native and American Indian people in Southcentral Alaska, and partners with other Anchorage nonprofits to serve some of the city’s most vulnerable populations.
In a thoughtfully designed classroom nestled inside of the Alaska Native Heritage Center, a diminishing language is being given a breath of life. Executive Director of Cook Inlet Native Head Start Ethan Petticrew can hardly contain his glee about the Yup’ik Immersion Program that takes place here, “This is a big deal; we are literally changing the course of history.”
The Ida’Ina Friendship Gathering debuted in the spring of 2011 to bring friends together and celebrate all cultures.
With the promise of spring in the air, accompanied by a beautiful clear blue sky, no one can deny that March 23 was a gorgeous day for giving.
After nearly an hour of spirited remarks by Alaska Native leaders and policymakers, attendees of Southcentral Foundation’s 21st Annual Gathering found their seats in preparation for SCF’s first indigenous cooking competition, Chopped Alaska.