By Gwichyaa Zhee Gwich’in Tribal Government
Like many of our sister Tribes throughout Indian country, the Gwichyaa Zhee Gwich’in Tribal Government (GZGTG) advocates for victims of crime through funds from the Department of Justice’s Tribal Set Aside Formula Grant. Since 2018, we’ve helped over 100 survivors who’ve made the decision to begin their healing process, welcoming their choice to reclaim self-empowerment. Through this grant, leadership proposed using funds to renovate an existing structure to better serve relatives who seek help, need safe temporary housing, and want to attend traditional healing events.
The plan took two years to come to fruition. With help from the Tribal housing department and staff, the building became exactly what we hoped for. On October 24th, 2025, chiefs, council members, community members, Elders, and youth gathered for a grand opening that included prayer in Gwich’in, ribbon cutting, and unveiling of the new sign that reads “Neerazhii Zheh”—translating to Healing House—with traditional beadwork in the background made by the late Minnie Peter.
Michelle VanDyke, the program’s grant manager and victim advocate, presented the formal plan to the council in October of 2024. With blessings from the chiefs and council, the plan laid the framework to further develop infrastructure, which is now open to the public. It includes a healing room for events, an open lobby designed to welcome people from all walks of life, a fully stocked kitchen, a Village Public Safety Officer lodging room, and most importantly, a safe housing room for temporary shelter.
This initiative supports healing within our community, which has long suffered from colonization, segregation, a Bureau of Indian Affairs territorial school, an invasive Air Force base, and now a lack of fundamental public safety. Through our resiliency and Tribal sovereignty authority, we will spearhead the initiative in promoting wellness to encourage sustenance of our culture and erase the stigma around mental well-being. Our local data shows that domestic violence and bullying make up 85% of the crime types we’ve helped survivors with. With this data, we’ll measure successful outcomes through community participation, compassionate & spirited leadership, and collaboration with healers, artists, sister organizations, and Elders and youth.
We’re excited to share this monumental moment for our Tribe and look forward to continuing to help our people begin healing for a healthier community. Mahsii choo to those who’ve had a hand in building a successful outcome: Chief James, Chief Peter, Melanie Herbert, Diana Peter, Marilyn Savage, Debra Van Dyke, GZGTG Housing Staff, Everts Air’s Hannah & Josh, and our people of Gwichyaa Zhee.
Do you have a community story to share?
The Council is currently accepting submissions from communities across the TCC region highlighting your successes. Share your stories with us so that we can all celebrate the creativity, resilience and unity of our communities!
Visit https://www.tananachiefs.org/community-stories/ to upload your story.
