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Celebrating
50 Years
of Service

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Celebrating
50 Years
of Service

CRNA's Cultural History
CRNA's 50th Celebration
    CRNA's Cultural History

    CRNA's 50th Celebration
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    Future Chiefs
    Looking to our elders

    Our elders pass on traditional ways of knowing. They teach us to observe the natural patterns around us, like those of The River. We remember the seasons of the past, work hard in the present, and plan for the future. We acknowledge CRNA is the result of the vision our elders held to and the efforts they put forth and we are thankful as we remember, work, and plan.

    Koht’aene
    Our People Today, Tomorrow,
    and Forever.

    CRNA History
    1964

    The Promise

    August 15, 1964, marks the official day 1975 of the birth of The Promise. On this day, members of the Alaska Native Brotherhood and Sisterhood met for a meeting where, unanimously and fearlessly, they committed to resolve the problems of the Native people of Copper River.

    1968
    Community Health Aide Program established

    Community Health Aide Program established

    IHS authorized the Alaska Native Health Board to provide the Alaska Area Native Health Service with input for its programs.

    1972
    Formally incorporated non-profit

    Formally incorporated non-profit

    Copper River Native Association was formally incorporated as a non-profit organization, one year following the passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA).

    1972
    First Annual Meeting

    First Annual Meeting

    The motto posted on the wall behind Robert Marshall begins: Coming Together is a Beginning

    1975
    First Organizational Chart, August 16

    First Organizational Chart, August 16

    1976
    Katherine McConkey

    Katherine McConkey

    Katherine McConkey begins her career of CRNA service as an administrative assistant in the late 70’s.

    1978
    CRNA’s First Logo

    CRNA’s First Logo

    The newly created CRNA logo represents the service area of the organization.

    1981
    Copper River Native Dancers

    Copper River Native Dancers

    Copper River Native Dancers practice traditional songs and dances through the Johnson O’Malley Program. A program designed to pass on traditional language, dance, song, and handicrafts, including the making of regalia.

    1982
    Traditional Chief Ben Neeley

    Traditional Chief Ben Neeley

    Traditional Chief Ben Neeley would interpret English to Ahtna for Elders during Annual Meeting in the early years of the organization. As an advocate and leader he held many positions. Seen here, Ben Neeley with Senator Lisa Murkowski in 2008.

    1982
    Showcasing tribal members’ talents

    Showcasing tribal members’ talents

    Photo includes from left to right: Martha Jackson, Emma Bell, Elizabeth Pete sing at the 10th Annual Meeting. Early Annual Meeting celebrations often showcased tribal members’ talents.

    1983
    CRNA Wildland Fire Crew is Established

    CRNA Wildland Fire Crew is Established

    The fire crew was the first fire crew established in Alaska outside government agency oversight. In future years the team upgraded to “Hot Shots,” a term that refers to highly skilled fire crews.

    1986
    1986 Annual Meeting

    1986 Annual Meeting

    The Villages Are CRNA

    1987
    Tuition Assistance Program

    Tuition Assistance Program

    Employees benefit from training and scholarship programs, increasing organizational ability. Pictured, Anna Bell-Hand graduated from AVTEC through CRNA’s Tuition Assistance Program. Elizabeth Pete also graduated (Not Pictured).

    1987
    Charlene Nollner

    Charlene Nollner

    “I remember the prevention technicians program… Trips, dancing, basketball, one time we even climbed up the hill and drew the horizon… and I remember feeling safe for that amount of time.” Charlene Nollner -Future Board President

    1987
    Swimming Safety Program

    Swimming Safety Program

    The Swimming Safety Program was a hallmarkof the Copper River Region in the late 80’s through the early 90’s. More than 75 children per summer participated in learning to swim and conduct water rescues that involved above ground pools.

    1995
    Subsistence fishing rights

    Subsistence fishing rights

    Katie John vs the United States of America Katie John wins subsistence fishing rights after three decades of litigation in defense of the Ahtna people.

    1997

    Alaska Native Medical Center Opens

    The opening of ANMC allows Native Alaskan Healthcare to reach national standards. Hospital construction was recorded as $107 billion.

    1997
    Safety in the 90’s

    Safety in the 90’s

    Teaching First Aid and Outdoor Safety.

    1997
    Computers at CRNA

    Computers at CRNA

    CRNA Learning Computers in the 90’s.

    2002

    Dental Health Therapy

    ANTHC initiates the Dental Health Aide Therapist Program in Rural Alaska.

    2003
    Drug and Alcohol Addiction Program

    Drug and Alcohol Addiction Program

    By 2003, 97 clients had completed the addiction recovery program at the Hudson Recovery Camp.

    2003

    Self Governance

    CRNA moves to self governance in the 90’s after successfully negotiating IHS and BIA compacts.

    2005

    Behavioral Health Expands

    Behavioral Health Aide training begins (ANTHC).

    2013
    Robert Marshall Building

    Robert Marshall Building

    Constructed in Copperville The Newly Constructed Robert Marshall Building allows for service expansion.

    2017

    CRNA Logo Re-Branded

    CRNA undergoes re-branding. The new logo represents elements of the Copper River Valley and Denali, so as to include the Cantwell service area.

    2017

    Childcare Established Onsite

    Child Development Employee. Childcare becomes available to all CRNA employees, increasing employee capacity.

    2018

    Telehealth established at CRNA

    Behavioral Health is the first to utilize telehealth technology. Telehealth services would surge just two years later as the COVID-19 pandemic suspends face to face appointments.

    2020

    Pandemic Halts Regular Services

    CRNA Responds to the COVID-19 Pandemic by equipping villages with over 400 safety and sanitation kits, building testing and vaccination teams, and implementing safety measures.

    2020

    Incident Command System Implemented

    CRNA transitions to Incident Command System, suspending regular services for the first time due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

    2020
    COVID-19 Building Constructed

    COVID-19 Building Constructed

    A separate testing facility is constructed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    2021
    First ambulance at CRNA

    First ambulance at CRNA

    CRNA, in partnership with Ahtna Inc. purchases their first ambulance. The ambulance is not used to respond to 911 calls at this time.