An Overview of Dena’ina Athabascan Uses of Sites on and Near Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska

Author(s): Nancy Yaw Davis; James A. Fall; The Dena'ina Team

Year: 2003

Summary

The area presently occupied by the Elmendorf Air Force Base (Elmendorf AFB) in southcentral Alaska lies within the traditional territory of the Upper Cook Inlet Dena'ina (Tanaina) Athabascan Indians. In 1994, members of the Dena'ina Athabascan community of Eklutna formed the "Dena'ina Team," and, working with cultural anthropologist Nancy Yaw Davis and Elmendorf AFB personnel, began to investigate potential Dena'ina prehistoric and historic sites on the base (Davis and the Dena'ina Team 1994, 2003). The Dena'ina Team and Davis conducted additional research on the base in 1998 and 1999, and the Dena'ina Team continued its activities in 2001 and 2002 (Fall 2002). This report summarizes some of the Dena'ina Team's findings and discusses them within the context of the traditional ethnography and history of the Upper Inlet Dena'ina. The research demonstrates how the Dena'ina have adapted their traditional way of life to the changing socioeconomic and demographic conditions of their homeland, the Knik Arm and Anchorage areas.

Cite this Record

An Overview of Dena’ina Athabascan Uses of Sites on and Near Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. Nancy Yaw Davis, James A. Fall, The Dena'ina Team. 2003 ( tDAR id: 457963) ; doi:10.6067/XCV8457963

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

Keywords

Site Name
Knif Bluff Trail • School Fish Campsite

Investigation Types
Ethnographic Research • Ethnohistoric Research • Historic Background Research • Systematic Survey

General
Cultural Resources • Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson • Outlet Stream • US Army Corps of Engineers

Geographic Keywords
Alaska (State / Territory) • Anchorage, AK • Cairn Point • Chester Creek • Cook Inlet • Elmendorf Air Force Base • Fire Island • Green Lake • Point Campbell • Point Possession • Point Woronzof • Ship Creek

Spatial Coverage

min long: -150.563; min lat: 60.948 ; max long: -149.31; max lat: 61.515 ;

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson CRM Manager

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Contact(s): Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson CRM Manager