Three day celebration opens Dena'ina Wellness Center

Three day celebration opens Dena’ina Wellness Center

The decades-long dream of an integrated health care facility for the Kenaitze Indian Tribe is now a beautiful reality in Old Town Kenai. Last week the community joined in a three day dedication and celebration of the uniquely designed Dena’ina Wellness Center. The building incorporates many historical materials including century old woods reclaimed from the Wards Cove Cannery on the south bank of the Kenai River. The use of colors and textures reflects the Kenaitze region beginning with the ocean shore and beach gathering space into the forest in exam rooms and the mountains on the second floor dental area. Tile work on some of the interior walls are influenced by traditional Dena’ina beadwork designs. “I’m so grateful to be here today celebrating the grand opening of a facility that has been forty years in the making,” said Jaylene Peterson-Nyren, executive director for the Kenaitze Indian Tribe.

The 52,000 square foot building on 4 acres features 15 exam rooms, 4 treatment rooms and 4 consultation rooms, 6 classrooms and a demonstration kitchen. “We worked hard to design the facility to be a space that is open and welcoming and we wanted people to want to be in the Center, we want people to want to be well. I overheard elders visiting the other day and they hadn’t seen each other in years and then one of their nephews came in and sat next to them that they hadn’t seen in a while and they sat and had a long visit and that is what health and wellness is about, it’s about community and taking care of each other looking out for one another and taking responsibility for their own health and wellness and it was very nice to see that already happening here at the Center,” explained Nyren. The Center is open 7:00am – 7:00pm Monday through Saturday to the Alaska and American Indian community with behavioral health and chemical dependency services open to all people, “We are the local behavioral health provider for the State of Alaska in Kenai so we encourage people to come in and learn about what we have to offer. We are thankful to the community for their support now and in the future as we work to fulfill our mission to assure the Kahtnuht’ana Dena’ina thrive forever. The Dena’ina Wellness Center will play a key role in achieving this mission,” she added.

Three day celebration opens Dena'ina Wellness Center
Three day celebration opens Dena'ina Wellness Center
Three day celebration opens Dena'ina Wellness Center

More in News

Welcome messages in multiple languages are painted on windows at the University of Alaska Anchorage at the start of the semester in January. (University of Alaska Anchorage photo)
Juneau refugee family gets ‘leave immediately’ notice; 4 people affiliated with UAA have visas revoked

Actions part of nationwide sweep as Trump ignores legal orders against detentions, deportations.

The Soldotna Field House is seen on a sunny Monday, March 31, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna sets fees, staffing, policy for field house

After a grand opening ceremony on Aug. 16, the facility will be expected to operate in seasons.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Officers who shot and killed man in Kasilof found ‘justified’

The three officers were found to be justified in their force by the Office of Special Prosecutions.

A screenshot of a Zoom meeting where Superintendent Clayton Holland (right) interviews Dr. Henry Burns (left) on Wednesday, April 9, while Assistant Superintendent Kari Dendurent (center) takes notes.
KPBSD considers 4 candidates for Homer High School principal position

School district held public interviews Wednesday, April 9.

Organizer George Matz monitors shorebirds at the former viewing platform at Mariner Park Lagoon. The platform no longer exists, after being removed by landowner Doyon during the development of the area. (Photo courtesy of Kachemak Bay Birders)
Kachemak Bay Birders kicks off 17th year of shorebird monitoring project

The first monitoring session of 2025 will take place Saturday.

The Alaska State Senate meets Thursday, where a bill boosting per-student education funding by $1,000 was introduced on the floor. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Education bill with $1,000 BSA hike — and nothing else — gets to Senate floor; veto by Dunleavy expected

Senate president says action on lower per-student education funding increase likely if veto override fails.

A table used by parties to a case sits empty in Courtroom 4 of the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Trial for troopers indicted for felony assault delayed to 2026

The change comes four months after a judge set a “date-certain” trial for June.

Members of the Alaska State Employees Association and AFSCME Local 52 holds a protest at the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
State employee salaries fall short of levels intended to be competitive, long-delayed study finds

31 of 36 occupation groups are 85%-98% of target level; 21 of 36 are below public/private sector average.

Most Read