Alaska Native Language
Building Naming

Alaska Native people say something is good medicine when it makes you feel well. Laughter is good medicine, being in healthy loving relationships is good medicine, being connected to culture and the earth is good medicine, being mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically in balance is good medicine. In Dena’ina Athabascan, yagheli means good, shesh means breath and/or wellness, and qenq’a means house. Inside Yagheli Shesh Qenq’a Anchorage Native Primary Care Center, we hope you experience good medicine.

Everyone wants a good place to park. In Dena’ina Athabascan, yagheli means good, the word car does not have a Dena’ina translation, and t’uh means place. Here you will find a good place to park.

K’kuyaqa Niłtu means for the people’s grandchildren in Dena’ina Athabascan. The programs found in this building, while diverse, are all in support of healthy families and children to embrace a future where the Alaska Native Community enjoys mental, physical, emotional and spiritual wellness.

Kisht’a Car T’uh means more car place in Dena’ina Athabascan. Everyone wants a good place to park. In Dena’ina Athabascan, kisht’a means more, the word car does not have a Dena’ina translation, and t’uh means place.

Dekenagh means culture or heritage. Dena’ina Athabascan Elder Andrew Balluta said, “As the Dena’ina were long ago, now we can behave just in that manner, and things will be just fine for us.” SCF values culture and heritage in the journey toward wellness.

Sheshq’a means support in Dena’ina Athabascan. Every employee across Southcentral Foundation works in Sheshq’a or in support of customer-owners and each other.

Gguya means little one, and Ada is a word for love in Dena’ina Athabascan. Children bring love, joy, and the promise of future generations.

Niłdghuligi means fireweed in Dena’ina Athabascan. Fireweed is a plant used as a traditional medicine for restoring balance. Fireweed is the first plant to bloom after a forest fire burns the land or it has been logged, and it helps restore and stabilize the soil. Fireweed is also a part of the Southcentral Foundation logo and acknowledges SCF’s beginnings on Fireweed Lane in Anchorage.

Nateya means our strength in Dena’ina Athabascan. The programs in the building work in partnership to support strong families and strong bodies.

Nu ch’ghednu means we work for you in Dena’ina Athabascan. We are one people working together for community health. “There are no better than or less than me,” as Rita Blumenstein, SCF Tribal Doctor used to say. We work together toward wellness to support employees and customer-owners.

Deshk’diłgush means to stoke the fire in Dena’ina Athabascan. Our facilities need a fire so people can stay warm and safe. Southcentral Foundation ensures we have that fire so we can do our work.

Nuqałi is a word shared by Dena’ina Athabascan Elder Helen MacLean, which means to take big steps. With each step, a lot of ground is covered. People entering Nuqałi often arrive for new hire orientation or training, taking big steps in their education, career, or wellness journeys.

The Dena’ina Athabascan words Shesh T’qełani means you are doing your best in life, to have a long life, and to be careful with yourself so good things happen.

Nił nuch’udex means we listen to each other in Dena’ina Athabascan. The programs in this building work with customer-owners to listen to each other’s stories and build empathy and compassion for each other.

Qenq’a yeł dnesh means caring for one’s home in Dena’ina Athabascan. When you care for something, you demonstrate respect for yourself, for others, and for the facility.

Quyana is the Yup’ik and Sugpiaq word for thank you, and Qenq’a means house in Dena’ina Athabascan. Gratitude is a cultural value, and Quyana Qenq’a is a house full of gratitude, for each other and for the opportunity to gather in support of each other.

Qeyeghu Nughedełi means compass in Dena’ina Athabascan. A compass is a tool to help people find their way. The services in this building help people on their journey to go in the right direction.

Yeshjesh T’uh means I am a safe place in Dena’ina Athabascan. In communities across Alaska, when a person is in crisis, there are homes that are known to be safe for people to go to until the crisis passes. This is a safe place for people to come and be supported.

Luq’u Nakenu means our whole family. In this building, there are programs supporting people in all stages of life.