Dena'ina

American  

[duh-nahy-nuh] / dəˈnaɪ nə /

noun

plural

Dena'inas,

plural

Dena'ina

1. a member of an Indigenous Athabascan people of the Cook Inlet area of Alaska.

2. the Athabascan language of the Dena'ina.

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adjective

1. of or relating to the Dena'ina or their language.

Etymology

Origin of Dena'ina

First recorded in 2010–15; from Dena'ina (Inland Dialect); literally, “the people,” equivalent to dena “person” + ina the human plural marker, a self-designation; Diné ( def. )

Example Sentences

Peltola was swarmed by supporters as she walked through the hallways of the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage.

From Washington Post • Oct. 24, 2022

Kristen Hillman during remarks to a banquet hall filled with attendees at the downtown Anchorage Dena’ina Center.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 8, 2022

Eklutna is a Dena’ina village, the sole Alaska Native community within the municipality of Anchorage.

From Washington Times • Jul. 26, 2020

Dancer Trish Tuluk explained that she and other members of the group share a Yupik heritage but are currently living and studying on Dena’ina land, so they wanted to recognize both cultures with the name.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 16, 2019

Pages 126 and 127 of Tanaina Plantlore describe a plant that is called wild potato by the Dena’ina Indians, who harvested its carrotlike root.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer