Denakkanaaga

08/08/2026

2026 Elders Mentoring Elders Culture Camp
August 7th
Final Day

Today was the final day of the 2026 Elders Mentoring Elders Camp at the Howard Luke Camp on the Tanana River.
This year elders, youth and others learned various traditional activities related to white fish, including how to cut it up properly, to dry it, to make fish ice cream, make fish nets and create jewelry from the skin. Attendees also learned how to cut up a caribou head, make salves and participate in language games.
On the final day, participants shared their thoughts on the camp and white fish in a sharing circle, and received items made in a closing ceremony.
Denakkanaaga thanks the many supporters who made the camp possible:
Interior Regional Housing Authority for their donation of new stairs on the river bank for safer access to the camp.
Alaska Humanities Forum for their donation of a wall tent and stove.
Sarah McConnell’s financial contribution.
The people who donated white fish, including Shawn Huffman, Lisa Bifelt and children and grandchildren of Huslia.
Doyon Facilities for transporting items to camp.
The camp is made possible through a grant from the
Center for Indigenous innovation in Health Excellence, Office of Minority Health.
Denakkanaaga thanks all who participated and made the camp a truly special gathering.

08/07/2026

August 6, 2026
Day Three
Elders Mentoring Elders Culture Camp
‘White Fish’

The third day of the 2026 Elders Mentoring Elders Culture Camp was held today at the Howard Luke Camp on the Tanana River.
Participants continued making fish nets and processing the white fish skins to tan. They also made fish ice cream, did language activities, and made fish skin earrings and salves.
Interior Regional Housing Authority (IRHA) Executive Director Eugene Paul stopped by to visit the elders and youth. IRHA graciously built and donated stairs on the camp’s riverbank to make it easier for elders to get to camp.
Tomorrow is the last day of the camp, which will feature a sharing circle, and closing ceremony in which items made will be distributed.
The camp is made possible by a grant from the Center for Indigenous innovation in Health Excellence, Office of Minority Health.

08/06/2026

08/06/2026

August 5, 2026
Day Two
Elders Mentoring Elders Culture Camp

On Wednesday, August 5, elders, youth and others gathered for the second day of the 2026 Elders Mentoring Elders Culture Camp.
Held at the Howard Luke Camp on the Tanana River, the camp features activities focused on white fish. Today participants learned how to make fish nets for white fish, and how to properly cut the fish and process the skin to make fish skin leather.
Denakkanaaga First Chief Andy Jimmie, who is 91 years old, also taught participants how to cut up a caribou head and demonstrated for youth, his technique for cutting fish.
Tanana Chiefs Conference Chief Sharon Hildebrand attended the camp today and met with the elders and youth.
The camp continues until Friday. It is made possible by a grant from the Center for Indigenous innovation in Health Excellence, Office of Minority Health.

08/05/2026

August 4, 2026

Elders departing to the 2026 Elders Mentoring Elders Culture Camp held at the Howard Luke Camp on the Tanana River.

08/05/2026

2026 Elders Mentoring Elders Culture Camp
August 4th

Today some 55 elders, volunteers, workers and videographers set up the fifth annual Elders Mentoring Elders Camp at the Howard Luke Camp on the Tanana River.
This year’s gathering focuses on the white fish and its place in Interior Native cultures. Today elders shared their memories of fishing for white fish, and the various ways to prepare it.
Camp activities will begin tomorrow, August 5th and continue until Friday, August 7th.
Students from the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District and Effie Kokrine Charter School will begin attending the camp on Wednesday.
Denakkanaaga thanks Interior Regional Housing Authority for their donation of new stairs on the river bank for safer access to the camp, Alaska Humanities Forum for their donation of a wall tent and stove, Sarah McConnell’s financial contribution and to those who donated white fish, including Shawn Huffman, Lisa Bifelt and children and grandchildren of Huslia. Denakkanaaga also thanks Doyon Facilities for transporting items to camp.
The camp is made possible through a grant from the
Center for Indigenous innovation in Health Excellence, Office of Minority Health.

07/29/2026

Today at 2 pm at Denakkanaaga!

Chair Yoga for Elders takes place today at 2 pm at Denakkanaaga. Please join us if you're in Fairbanks!
For more information, please call 907-451-3900.

07/24/2026

The 2026 Elders Mentoring Elders Culture Camp will soon be taking place! We look forward to all those who have registered attend the camp!
From August 4th to the 7th elders, youth, and other participants will gather at the Howard Luke Camp on the Tanana River to learn about white fish activities, salve making, language games, gill net making and much more.
At this time we are still in need of some additional white fish and moose fat. We would welcome any donations of these items and are happy to pay for the frieght to send them to us.
We thank Tiffany Yatlin and Lisa Diane who have already donated white fish. We are very thankful for their support.
For more information please call Denakkanaaga at 907-451-3900. More information on the camp can be found at www.denakkanaaga.org.

07/22/2026

Chair Yoga for Elders takes place today at 2 pm at Denakkanaaga. Please join us if you're in Fairbanks!
For more information, please call 907-451-3900.