Kodiak Region Unity Protocols

We are stronger together than apart.

KANA, along with seventeen of the region’s Tribes, nonprofit organizations, and village corporations, is a signatory of the Kodiak Region Unity Protocols. The protocols describe our collective ideals for partnerships, outlining how we will navigate disagreements when they happen and affirming our commitment to work together. We feel that it is important that we have a roadmap to guide us and future generations of regional leadership in pursuit of providing the best services possible for our Alutiiq people.

While these protocols are one of the first, if not the first, of their kind in any region around Alaska, we are certain they will not be the last.

The Kodiak Unity Protocols

Who We Are

  • We are Tribal Citizens, Village Corporation Shareholders and Descendants, Regional Corporation Shareholders and Descendants, and customer-owners of our Tribal health system. Collectively, we are Alutiit/Sugpiat, the real people.

Our Sovereignty

  • We are unwilling to give up our right to be sovereign people.

Stronger Together

  • We understand that we are stronger together than apart. 

Serving Our People

  • We recognize and celebrate that our leaders are serving our people whether they are representing a Tribal Council, Village Corporation, Tribal Health Organization, Housing Authority, Regional Corporation, or Native nonprofit.

Collaboration

  • We acknowledge that each of our organizations may have differing obligations or focus areas, but all of them serve our people and it is crucial that we collaborate and use our resources to support one another, our Tribal Citizens, Shareholders, and Descendants.

Strategic Advocacy

  • We practice strategic advocacy, utilizing subject matter experts in our region to maximize efficiency and impact.

Assume Good Intentions

  • We assume good intentions, because we are all here for the right reasons – our people and our communities.

Beyond Divisions

  • We know that being pro-Tribe does not mean that you are anti-Native Corporation. Similarly, being pro-Native Corporation does not mean you are anti-Tribe.

Listen First

  • We seek to understand and listen first.

Mutual Respect

  • We always practice mutual respect, even when we disagree.

Compromise and Adaptability

  • We recognize that compromise is often needed, and we must be willing to change our mind or adapt for the collective good.

Work Toward Resolution

  • We keep coming back to the table because not all disagreements can be resolved with one or two discussions.

Trust and Transparency

  • We understand that healthy relationships are based on trust, and honesty and transparency are critical to trust. We believe that the leaders of our organizations should have healthy relationships with each other.

Build Each Other Up

  • We build each other up and do not practice politics of personal destruction.

United as One

  • We don’t always see eye-to-eye but at the end of the day we are united and stand as one.

Focused on Solutions

  • We are solutions focused and work through issues within our region first. We do not air our “dirty laundry.”

Agreeably Disagree

  • We recognize that unity does not mean we agree on everything. In fact, there are times we will agree to disagree. We must “agreeably disagree,” to ensure harmony and trust.

SIGNED THE 24TH DAY OF AUGUST 2023

Afognak Native Corporation

Alutiiq Heritage Foundation DBA Alutiiq Museum

Alutiiq Tribe of Old Harbor

Kodiak Area Native Association

Kodiak Island

Housing Authority
Koniag 

Koniag Education Foundation

Leisnoi

Native Village of Afognak

Native Village of Akhiok

Native Village of Larsen Bay

Native Village of Ouzinkie 

Native Village of Port Lions

Natives of Kodiak

Old Harbor Native Corporation

Ouzinkie Native Corporation

Sun’aq Tribe of Kodiak

Tangirnaq Native Village