The Ninilchik Village Tribe, a modern Alaska Native community located in the southern region of the Kenai Peninsula, proudly traces its ancestry to ancient peoples within its tribal boundaries.
Leading tribal affairs and dedicated to upholding tribal sovereignty is the Ninilchik Traditional Council (NTC), the governing organization of the tribe.
Supporting the local economy and preserving our environment, resources, and way of life ensures that all people residing in our lands will flourish.
The current name of both the tribe and the town of Ninilchik is derived from the Russian adaptation of the Dena’ina name Niqnalchint, meaning “a place where a lodge is built.” In the Dena’ina language, the tribe is called Niqnalchint Qayeh Kenu, which translates to “Ninilchik Village Tribe.”
Tribal Boundaries
The Ninilchik Traditional Council provides a variety of services for Ninilchik tribal members and the public with its federally recognized tribal boundaries.
Tribal boundaries include the Ninilchik area and:
- North to south Kasilof in the Cohoe Census Designated Place (CDP), including the south side of the Kasilof River and Tustumena Lake
- East to the Caribou Hills and Kenai Mountains
- South to the City of Homer and the Homer Spit
- A portion of the western Cook Inlet and upper Alaska Peninsula surrounding Mt. Iliamna, the east side of Lake Clark, and the south face of Mt. Redoubt
our history
Originally established by the Dena’ina people of Alaska’s southern Kenai Peninsula, the tribe has integrated elements from neighboring Indigenous groups and later Russian settlers. Over the centuries, interactions with gold rush settlers and statehood developments further shaped the tribe’s diverse cultural landscape.
Today, the Ninilchik Village Tribe blends traditional practices with modern advancements while striving to preserve its unique heritage.
Explore our History page to learn more about our origins.
