2027 Organizations
Qizhjeh Vena Alaska
Eagle River, AK • EIN: 88-2169017
To create a world-class gathering center inspired by Dena'ina values and culture.
About
Qizhjeh Vena means a 'place where people gathered lake' in the Dena'ina Athabaskan language and is the original name for Lake Clark. Qizhjeh Vena Alaska (QVA) was established as a nonprofit in 2022 with a goal of shifting the narrative of 'business' for the region. As descendants of the original caretakers of the Qizhjeh Vena area, we are dedicated to protecting the ełnena for future generations. We are made up of an all Dena'ina women Board of Directors and staff from all areas of Dena'ina country; thus re-establishing the connections and trade routes of our Ancestors. There are four baskets that we work in. The first is environmental stewardship by protecting sacred and vital habitat, lands, and waters for future generations. The second basket is outdoor education and leadership development through the Dena'ina and western worldviews woven together. The third basket is food sovereignty by renovating two greenhouses and revitalizing the garden with the local community support around the lake. The fourth basket is connecting to the land and one's self through the arts. All of our programs happen on Qizhjeh Vena; either at historic Kijik or the QVA Center. We are fortunate to own several parcels of land around the vena (lake) to host programs for youth and adults. We purchased a lodge in 2024, which we are renovating to be able to host the baskets of work listed above. If you'd like to learn more about our work, please visit our website www.aplacewherepeoplegather.org.
How Pick.Click.Give. makes a difference
Qizhjeh Vena Alaska (QVA) operates under donations and grants. The financial support received by programs like Pick.Click.Give uplifts our efforts immensely with advertising and with the additional support. The donations through Pick.Click.Give. supports programming, educational materials, and expanding our leadership development programs.We are a one staff member nonprofit with plans to expand and hire from local communities. The Board President and Executive Director are a mother-daughter team; an intergenerational pair who both grew up in the Qizhjeh Vena area. The power of lineages working together is the continuity of knowledge of place and the importance of nurturing the next generation to lead.
The first two baskets QVA has begun to expand upon is environmental stewardship and the outdoor education and leadership development . The Board President is a retired anthropologist from the Lake Clark National Park and Preserve and has over 20 years of preserving Dena'ina place names, history, stories, and traditions. Along with decades of work, she established Quk' Taz'un Outdoor Leadership camp with over 12 years of operating in collaboration with the Nondalton Tribal Council and the Lake Clark National Park. Since 2024, QVA has supported the camp and taken over a lot of the logistics and planning. Quk' Taz'un means 'the sun is rising' in the Dena'ina Athabaskan language and the reason why they chose this name was to represent the youth who attend; they are the new suns rising with so much opportunity and light. Quk' Taz'un teaches Dena'ina and western outdoor skills; like squirrel snare trapping, fire making, fish net making, shelter making, cold water submersion, and more. Along with the life skills taught, the youth are taught Dena'ina language and story, they hike to the historic Kijik site where the Ancestors of Nondalton once live and are taught archeology, and crafts like beading, birch bark basket making, weaving, and fish and moose tanning. The goal of the camp has always been to provide tools and activities that uplift the gifts of everyone attending and support the uncovering of the brilliance of who they are as humans.
Financial support from Pick.Click.Give. will support us expand the opportunities for the youth and young adults of the region and beyond.
Contact
Physical Address
Eagle River, AK 99577Mailing Address
10108 Colville StreetEagle River, AK 99577
Cause Types
Arts & CultureGiving History
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