Native Villlage of eyak's
Tribal Values
The Native Village of Eyak is guided by both Traditional Values and Core Values. These are deeply connected, but they serve different roles in our work as a Tribal government.
Our Traditional Values reflect the cultural teachings carried through generations in the Copper River and Prince William Sound region. This homeland has long been shaped by the Eyak people, and it is also a place of enduring relationships with our neighboring Indigenous peoples, including Sugpiaq/Alutiiq, Athabascan (Ahtna), and Tlingit communities. Together, these cultures share deep ties of trade, kinship, stewardship, and survival rooted in the lands and waters of this region.
Our Core Values describe how NVE operates today as a modern Tribal government and service organization. They guide decision-making, program delivery, leadership, partnerships, and accountability, ensuring that our work reflects both cultural responsibility and community priorities.
Traditional Values (Elder Teachings)
NVE’s Traditional Values are passed down through generations and expressed through daily life, cultural practice, and community care. These values reflect what our Elders have taught us about how to live well, care for one another, and uphold who we are as Native people of this homeland.
Our Traditional Values Include:
God, Loyalty, Humor, Cooperation, Teaching, Cultural Pride, Sharing, Discipline, Language, & Respect
These values guide our relationships, strengthen our identity, and remind us that healing and survival are collective responsibilities.
These values ensure that our services and leadership remain community-centered, culturally grounded, and consistent across all departments and initiatives.
Core Values (How We Govern and Serve Today)
Core Values are the principles that guide NVE’s work as a Tribal government and organization. They shape how we make decisions, deliver programs, support our citizens, and uphold accountability in all that we do.
NVE’s Core Values are:
Respect, Humilty, Accountability, Integrity, & Kinship
How Traditional and Core Values work Together
Traditional Values are the foundation. They come from our Elders, our homelands, and generations of Indigenous knowledge. Core Values are how we apply those teachings in the daily work of Tribal governance, programs, and partnerships today.
Together they ensure that NVE remains: Rooted in Culture, Guided by Elders, Responsible to our People, and Accountable to Future Generations
A Note for Partners and Visitors
We welcome collaboration with agencies, organizations, researchers, and visitors who approach this place and our people with respect. Our values are not symbolic, they are commitments that shape how we engage, how we lead, and how we protect our homelands for generations to come.