The school plays a vital role in the village, Klever said. It trains children to be citizens of tomorrow's Tanana. Cathy Fliris, who sits on the school board as well as the water-sewer board, said the small school may have limited opportunities but offers the advantage of more attention to the individual student. The age mix in the village at various functions is also a big plus for the younger crowd, she said. The kids aren't limited to only their peer group.
Every single kid is an integral part of the community and interrelates with all age groups.
The somewhat isolated environment of Tanana makes people reach out and brings an appreciation of others, Fliris said. There is support here in a way you don't see in the big city. Tozitna board member Nina Miller, who lives in Anchorage and travels the state for her job, returns regularly from the city to her village. No matter where I live, I will always be from Tanana. Nancy Tarnai is a free-lance writer who lives with her family in Tanana.