The Last Frontier Calls

Discover Alaska

Experience Alaska

Make Memories

About the Chena Village

A highlight of the tour is Chena Village, where you'll have the opportunity to meet our Alaskan Native Guides. They will share how the Athabaskan people thrived for over 10,000 years in these harsh climates and how they adapted to village life and Western culture over the past century. On your tour, you'll see an Athabascan cabin and food cache, traditional Athabascan garments, and our resident herd of reindeer. At the end of your tour, you'll get to interact with sled dogs and their handler from Trail Breaker Kennel.

Cabins and 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

Discover how the Athabascans hunted moose and the intricate process of tanning its hide. Then, enjoy viewing our collection of authentic moose hide and fur native regalia, all meticulously hand-sewn by renowned artist Dixie Alexander.

Heritage

Our resident herd of reindeer anchors this area, showcasing an early Athabascan campsite. Discover how these resourceful nomadic people thrived in a harsh climate for thousands of years, long before Western influence. From hunting techniques to innovative uses of birch bark, you'll be amazed by the ingenuity and creativity of Athabascan ancestors.

Trail Breaker Kennel

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

Meet Your Guides

Deion

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.

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.

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

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

Check out our other experiences

Strike it rich — guaranteed! Join the Binkley family for a trip through Alaska’s gold mining history at Gold Dredge 8.

Sustainable, wild-caught salmon from the Southeast Alaskan ocean waters; filleted, smoked and packaged to be enjoyed around the world.

Experience alaska

Discover alaska

Immerse yourself

ADventure awaits

History comes alive

History meets culture

Alaskan adventure awaits

The last frontier calls

About the Chena Village

Cabins and Cache

Garments

Heritage

Trail Breaker Kennel Dog Yard