Revitalizing the Dena’ina Language

About the Program

Yagheli da?  Welcome.

The Dena’ina language, Dena’ina Qenaga (known as Dena’ina Hnaga in the Upper Inlet Dialect), is the voice of a people whose connection to the Cook Inlet region stretches back millennia. It is the only Athabascan language in Alaska spoken along both coastal and interior landscapes, carrying within it the knowledge of tides, seasons, rivers, and mountains. Today, with very few fluent speakers remaining, the Dena’ina language is classified as severely endangered. Every word preserved is an act of cultural survival.

The Tebughna Foundation’s Dena’ina Language Program is dedicated specifically to revitalizing the Upper Inlet Dialect,  the traditional language of the Upper Cook Inlet Basin, including the communities of Tyonek, Knik, Susitna, and Eklutna. While Tebughna is historically connected to both the Upper and Outer Inlet dialects, our relatives across the inlet are leading the charge in revitalizing the Outer Inlet dialect, and we are deeply grateful for their work and stewardship. As stewards of this dialect, the Foundation is committed to ensuring that the Upper Inlet Dena’ina language is not only documented and preserved but actively spoken, taught, and carried forward by future generations.

Through careful collaboration with knowledge holders, linguists, and community members, the program’s curriculum development, digital resource creation, and community engagement efforts ensure that every lesson, resource, and cultural initiative is grounded in accuracy, respect, and the living spirit of the language.

What We Do

Our work spans multiple interconnected areas, each designed to strengthen the presence of Dena’ina in daily life, in cultural practice, and in the hearts of the next generation.

Curriculum Development

We are building culturally grounded, dialect-accurate lesson plans and teaching materials specifically for the Upper Inlet Dialect of Dena’ina. Our curriculum integrates seasonal knowledge, traditional vocabulary, and language structure, reflecting the way the language has always been intertwined with life on the land. These materials serve as a foundation for consistent, high-quality language instruction rooted in Dena’ina ways of knowing.

Youth Programming

Young learners are at the center of our vision for language revitalization. Through hands-on, age-appropriate programming, we engage children and teens in both language and culture, creating experiences that inspire curiosity, pride, and a sense of connection. Our goal is to nurture the next generation of Dena’ina speakers who will carry the language forward with confidence.

Regalia Project

The Regalia Project is a cultural initiative that connects language revitalization with the art of traditional regalia-making. By weaving Dena’ina language learning into the practice of creating and understanding regalia, participants experience language not as an abstraction but as something deeply tied to identity, ceremony, and community. This project honors the inseparability of language and culture.

Community & Cultural Engagement

Language lives in community. We foster meaningful connections within the Dena’ina community through cultural programming, cross-organizational collaboration, and language outreach. Whether through gatherings, events, or everyday moments of shared learning, our engagement work ensures that the Dena’ina language remains a living, spoken part of community life.

Explore Dena’ina Language Resources

Interested in learning some Dena’ina Qenaga? Explore Dena’ina language lessons and cultural content on our YouTube channel — a growing collection of videos designed to share the beauty and structure of the Upper Inlet Dialect with learners everywhere.

Get in Touch

Interested in learning more about the Dena’ina Language Program? We’d love to hear from you. Whether you have questions, want to get involved, or simply want to learn more about our work, please reach out.