NilaVena
Where Land, Language, and Lifeways Endure
The Nila Vena Sustainability Forum is rooted in the seven Tribal communities surrounding Lake Iliamna and Lake Clark—a region of immense ecological, cultural, and spiritual significance. These villages—Igiugig, Newhalen, Nondalton, Pedro Bay, Kokhanok, Iliamna, and Port Alsworth—have sustained rich and resilient lifeways for thousands of years.
This is a place where Dena’ina Athabascan and Yup’ik worldviews converge, where salmon still return in abundance, and where knowledge is passed through stories, trails, and subsistence practices. It is home to some of Alaska’s most important headwaters, cultural landscapes, and Indigenous stewardship traditions.
NilaVena
A Region Like No Other
The Iliamna region sits at the heart of Bristol Bay, one of the most biologically productive ecosystems on the planet. These lands and waters support:
- The world’s largest wild sockeye salmon run
- Rich caribou and moose habitat
- Old-growth berry grounds, medicinal plants, and sacred sites
- Subsistence lifeways that continue to feed and center communities
But this region is more than ecological—it’s deeply human. Generations have lived here in relationship with the land, guided by seasonal knowledge, kinship systems, and respect for all living things. This place holds stories, songs, and names that reach back millennia.
NilaVena
Our Communities Map
NilaVena
Who We Are
Each of our seven member communities brings its own strength:
Igiugig
A national model for sustainable village innovation, Igiugig is leading in renewable energy, food sovereignty, and cultural education rooted in Yup’ik and Dena’ina traditions.
Newhalen
Known for its strong youth engagement and cultural continuity, Newhalen supports intergenerational learning through language camps and community-led education efforts.
Nondalton
Deeply connected to Lake Clark, Nondalton maintains a strong subsistence lifestyle based on traditional hunting, fishing, and gathering practices, while advocating for land and water protection.
Pedro Bay
A Dena’ina community with a rich cultural legacy, Pedro Bay has played a key role in regional conservation efforts and the protection of traditional lands from industrial development.
Kokhanok
Positioned on the south shore of Iliamna Lake, Kokhanok is advancing environmental monitoring and climate adaptation efforts while expanding access to broadband infrastructure.
Iliamna
A regional connector with logistical infrastructure and transportation access, Iliamna plays a key role in supporting partnerships, services, and inter-village coordination.
Port Alsworth
As a gateway to Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Port Alsworth maintains ties to traditional caribou ranges and supports efforts in cultural preservation and land stewardship.
NilaVena
Why Regional Collaboration Matters
While our communities differ in size, language, and landscape, we share many of the same challenges: Limited housing. Vulnerable infrastructure. External pressure on land and subsistence. Systems not built for rural or Indigenous governance.
Through the Forum, we share knowledge, reduce duplication, and advocate with a united voice. When one village advances a program or wins a grant, others benefit. When one community identifies a barrier, the whole region can work to overcome it.
This is how we honor our ancestors—and prepare the way for future generations.
NilaVena
A Living Relationship with Place
The land here is not a backdrop. It is an active relative. It teaches, sustains, and guides. That belief shapes every program NVSF leads—from Guardianship to housing to education. Because when our communities are supported, the land is cared for. And when the land is cared for, our communities thrive.