Nakani is a word that comes from the Tlingit language. Nakani is defined as a person, or entity, which serves as a connector and/ or go between for different people, places, and cultures. This is the role each member of Nakani’s Native Program tries to embody as they help bring together all tribal communities to learn from and about one another. This word is a perfect descriptor for its members and leadership. This description is also a perfect introduction to each of the members I interviewed for this article.
Nakani Native Program has undergone many changes since it began as an offshoot of American Friends Service Committee, AFSC. AFSC, is a non-profit Quaker organization founded by the Religious Society of Friends. The Nakani Native Program was discontinued by AFSC in 2017, when AFSC decided it no longer needed a Northwest Indian Program. Thanks to the efforts of dedicated staff and supporters The Nakani Native Program not only continues after being dismissed, the Nakani Native program thrives, they have evolved into an almost all Native run and centered non-profit. Today, Nakani Native Program is an independent entity, exemplifying the resilience and perseverance as they work to bring traditional knowledge and healing to our Native communities with the help of funding from Healthier Here’s grant from the Medicaid Transformation Project.
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