Keku furs tannery project objective: by the end of 36 months, the tannery will be financially self-sustaining as a year-round business that employs 2 local tribal citizens to operate the keku furs…

The Administration for Native Americans, under the Native American Programs (CFDA 93.612), awarded the Organized Village of Kake $732,883 on September 30, 2025, to establish and operate the Keku Furs Tannery, a year-round commercial tannery operation in Kake, Alaska. The project will deliver tannery services processing sea otter hides for traditional hunters and artisans throughout Southeast Alaska, eliminating the current necessity to send materials to Anchorage or San Francisco for processing. By the project's completion on September 29, 2028, the tannery will employ two full-time local tribal citizens and up to 28 part-time residents, representing over 5% of the working population in this remote community of fewer than 600 people.

The grant funds the establishment of comprehensive business infrastructure and training programs necessary to transition the current small-scale operation into a financially self-sustaining enterprise. Beyond direct tannery services, the project delivers workforce development and knowledge transfer between generations while supporting economic self-sufficiency and cultural preservation objectives of the Native American Programs, which targets economic and social development for Alaska Natives and other eligible Native American populations.

Keku furs tannery project objective: by the end of 36 months, the tannery will be financially self-sustaining as a year-round business that employs 2 local tribal citizens to operate the keku furs tannery and 28 residents to work for the tannery part-time, providing employment to more than 5% of kake residents who are able to work. Summary: the organized village of kake proposes to establish keku furs tannery, which will be the only tannery in southeast alaska. The project aims to transform their current small-scale tannery operation into a self-sustaining business that operates year-round and employs 5% of the local population. Located in kake, a remote community of fewer than 600 people, the project addresses critical economic needs by creating 2 full-time and 28 part-time jobs. The tannery will process sea otter hides and serve traditional hunters and artisans throughout the region, who currently must send materials to anchorage or SAN francisco for processing. This initiative will support local economic growth while preserving traditional practices and creating opportunities for knowledge transfer between generations. The project includes comprehensive training programs and will establish the business infrastructure needed for long-term sustainability. By providing stable employment opportunities and supporting traditional practices, the project aims to strengthen the community's economic foundation and cultural heritage