Chena Village

Tour Description

A highlight for our guests is the tour of our Chena Native Village. There you will get to meet some of our Alaskan Native Guides who will show you how the Athabaskan survived for 10,000 years in these harsh environments, and how they adapted to Village life and Western culture in the past century.

Cabin & Cache

Riverboat travel into the interior prompted the building of trading posts, allowing trade between Native fur trappers and newly arrived people from all over the world. Constructed by a crew of Alaska Native craftsmen, our Trappers Cabin, Line Cabin, and Cache provide a glimpse into the development of villages along the rivers of Alaska.

Garments & Hides

Learn how the Athabascans hunted the reclusive moose, the process for tanning moose hide, and then enjoy viewing our authentic moose hide and fur native regalia pieces. They were all sewn by hand by renowned skin sewing and beadwork artist Dixie Alexander.

Ancient & Reindeer

Our resident herd of reindeer anchors this area depicting an early Athabascan campsite. Discover how these nomadic people existed in this harsh climate and did so quite successfully for thousands of years before any western influence. From hunting techniques to creative uses of birch bark, you’ll be amazed by the ingenuity and creativity of Athabascan ancestors

Meet Your Guides

Deon

Deion is Koyukon Athabascan from Tanana. She is a recent graduate from Raven Homeschool and a fourth-generation dog musher and is a first-year tour guide.

Mason

Mason is Inupiaq born and raised in Fairbanks. He is a sophomore at UAF majoring in Biology. He works at the UAF Fire Department and is a first-year tour guide.

Dylana

A 6th year Native Guide, Dylana is Koyukon Athabascan and Yupik. Her family is from Kaltag, a village on the Lower Yukon River, however Dylana grew up in and currently lives in Fairbanks.

Leo

Koyukon Athabascan and Inupiaq, Leo grew up in the village of Tanana, AK. She just finished her first year of college at Western Washington U. where she is pursuing a double major in Political Science and English. This is Leo’s 6th season as a guide on the Riverboat Discovery.

Annette

Annette is Inupiaq. She was born and raised in Fairbanks and her family is from Teller, which is near Nome on western coast. She’ll be a senior in high school this fall and plays the violin, viola, and piano. This is Annette’s 3rd year as a Native Guide.

Mya

Mya is Koyukon Athabascan from the village of Tanana. She is a recent graduate from Lathrop High School. She plans to go to UAF with aspirations to work in the medical field. This is her first year as a tour guide

Auryn

Auryn is Inupiaq born and raised in Fairbanks. His family is from the former King Island. He is a Junior at Hutchison High School and is a first-year tour guide

Camryn

Camryn is Koyukon Athabascan from Anchorage. She is a junior at Xavier University in Louisiana and is a first-year tour guide.

Skye

Skyeis Koyukon Athabascan and Menominee. She is a Junior at West Valley and lovesbeadwork and is a first-year tour guide.

Kylee

Kylee is Upper Tanana Athabascan born and raised in Fairbanks. Her family is from the village of Northway. She is a senior with Raven Homeschool and is a first-year tour guide

Casey

Casey is Koyukon Athabascan from the village of Tanana. He is a Junior at Hutchison High School and is a first-year tour guide.

After Tour Description

At the end of your guided tour, you will have time to explore the village on your own, interact with our guides and visit dogs from Susan Butcher’s Trail Breaker Kennel.

Trail Breaker Kennel Dog Yard

A handler from Susan Butcher’s Trail Breaker Kennel will be available to answer any questions about the Alaskan Husky and the sport of Dog Mushing. There will be a few sled dogs there to help them in any demonstrations