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Alakanuk
(ah-LUCK-uh-nuck)
For Photos of Alakanuk click here
For a Map of Alakanuk click here
| Current Population: |
670
(2008 DCCED Certified Population)
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| Incorporation Type: |
2nd Class City |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
Sales: None,
Property: None, Special: None
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| Coastal Management District: |
Ceñaliulriit CRSA |
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| Location
and Climate |
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Alakanuk is located at the east entrance of Alakanuk Pass, the major southern channel of the Yukon River, 15 miles from the Bering Sea. It is part of the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge. It lies 8 miles southwest of Emmonak, approximately 162 air miles northwest of Bethel. It is the longest village on the lower Yukon - the development stretches over a 3 mile area along the pass. Approximately 25 homes along the bank are being threatened by erosion. The community
lies at approximately 62.688890° North Latitude
and -164.615280° West Longitude.
(Sec. 14, T030N, R082W, Seward Meridian.)
Alakanuk is located in the
Bethel Recording District.
The area encompasses 32.4
sq. miles of land and 8.7 sq. miles
of water.
The climate of Alakanuk is subarctic, averaging 60 inches of snowfall and 19 inches of total precipitation per year. Temperatures range from between -25 to 79 °F. Heavy winds are frequent during the fall and winter. The Yukon River is used as an ice road during freeze-up, from November through May. |
Topographic
map of
Alakanuk
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Alakanuk is a Yup'ik word meaning "wrong way," aptly applied to a village on this maze of watercourses. The village was first reported by G.R. Putnam of the U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey in 1899. It was originally settled by a Yup'ik shaman named Anguksuar and his family. A Catholic mission school was built near the village. A post office was established in 1946. In 1948, the school was relocated to St. Mary's, and many families moved from the old school site to Alakanuk. It incorporated as a second-class city in 1969.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Village of Alakanuk.
The population of the community consists of 97.9%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Alakanuk is a Yup'ik Eskimo village active in commercial fishing and subsistence. The sale, importation, and possession of alcohol are banned in the village.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 160, and vacant housing units numbered 21.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 139 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
21.47 percent,
although
64.27 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $26,346, per capita income was $6,884, and
33.84 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| The city operates the water and piped sewer system and the central watering point. Approximately 90% of homes are connected. There is a sewage lagoon available for individuals to dump their honeybuckets. The city council is the policy-making body for the utility. Water is derived from the Alakanuk Slough and is treated, stored in a tank, and piped to most of the community. The landfill is reported as inactive.
Electricity is provided by AVEC.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 245
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Alakanuk Health Clinic (907-238-3210); Pearl E. Johnson Sub-Regional Clinic (907-949-3500) in Emmonak.
Alakanuk Health Clinic is a Primary Health Care facility. Alakanuk is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 7A in the Yukon/Kuskokwim Region. Emergency Services have coastal and air access. Emergency service is provided by a health aide
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Alakanuk experiences a seasonal economy. 78 residents hold commercial fishing permits. Many have gill net permits, and set net fishermen sell their salmon to Seattle fish buyers. Poor fish returns since 1998 have significantly affected the community. Government employment and retail businesses provide limited year-round employment. Salmon, beluga whale, seal, moose, and rabbit provide food sources. Some residents trap. Many residents travel to Emmonak to shop and attend social events and basketball tournaments.
A state-owned and managed 2,200' long by 55' wide gravel airstrip is available. Grant Aviation, Hageland Aviation, and Tanana Air Service offer passenger flight service. Alakanuk is easily accessible from the Yukon River and Bering Sea by barge and riverboat. Most passengers and mail arrive by air. There are no roads connecting Alakanuk with other population centers in the region, but ice roads are used in winter. Snowmachines and boats are used for local travel. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
City -
City of Alakanuk
P.O. Box 167
Alakanuk, AK 99554
Phone 907-238-3313
Fax 907-238-3620
E-mail cityauk167@yahoo.com
Village Corporation -
Alakanuk Native Corporation
P.O. Box 148
Alakanuk, AK 99554
Phone 907-238-3117
Fax 907-238-3120
Village Council -
Village of Alakanuk
P.O. Box 149
Alakanuk, AK 99554-0149
Phone 907-238-3419
Fax 907-238-3429
E-mail auktc@unicom-alaska.com
Regional
Organizations
Regional Native Corporation - Calista Corporation
301 Calista Court, Suite A
Anchorage, AK 99518-3028
Phone 907-279-5516
Fax 907-272-5060
E-mail calista@calistacorp.com
Web http://www.calistacorp.com
Regional Native Health Corporation - Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corp.
P.O. Box 528
Bethel, AK 99559
Phone 907-543-6020
Fax 907-543-6006
E-mail gene_peltola@ykhc.org
Web http://www.ykhc.org/
CDQ Group - Yukon Delta Fisheries Dev. Assoc.
1016 West Sixth Avenue, Suite 301
Anchorage, AK 99501-1963
Phone 907-644-0326
Fax 907-644-0327
E-mail ragnaraydf@aol.com
Web http://www.ydfda.org
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