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Birch Creek
a.k.a. Dendu Gwich'in Tribe
For Photos of Birch Creek click here
For a Map of Birch Creek click here
| Current Population: |
34
(2008 Estimated Population (not Certified))
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| Incorporation Type: |
Unincorporated |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
No taxing authority
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| Location
and Climate |
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The village is located along Birch Creek, approximately 26 miles southwest of Fort Yukon. The community
lies at approximately 66.256190° North Latitude
and -145.849670° West Longitude.
(Sec. 28, T017N, R009E, Fairbanks Meridian.)
Birch Creek is located in the
Fairbanks Recording District.
Birch Creek has a continental subarctic climate, characterized by seasonal extremes of temperature. Winters are long and harsh, and summers are warm and short. The average high temperature during July ranges from 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. The average low temperature during January is well below zero. Extended periods of -50 to -60 degrees Fahrenheit are common. Extreme temperatures have been measured, ranging from a low of -71 to a high of 97 degrees Fahrenheit. Precipitation averages 6.5 inches and snowfall averages 43.4 inches. Birch Creek is ice-free from mid-June to mid-October. |
Topographic
map of
Birch Creek
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| The Dendu Gwich'in traditionally occupied much of the Yukon Flats south of the Yukon River, including portions of the Crazy and White Mountains. Semi-permanent camps existed near the present village. The first written reference to a settlement in the Birch Creek area was in 1862 by a Fort Yukon clergyman who visited a camp established to provide fish for the Hudson's Bay Company in Ft. Yukon. Some anthropologists believe that this band was annihilated by scarlet fever in the 1880s, but there are ethnographic accounts of the use of this area from 1867 onwards. Birch Creek Jimmy was the founder of Birch Creek, and was Great Chief among the Chiefs in his days. He built a cabin in 1898 at the site of the Hudson's Bay fish camp. Several years later, he was joined by other extended family members. In about 1916, the group moved three miles upstream to the site of the present village. It was used as a seasonal base for harvest activities until the early 1950s, when the establishment of a school encouraged village residents to adopt a less nomadic way of life. The first airstrip was constructed in 1973. The school was closed for the 1999-2000 school year due to insufficient students.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Birch Creek Tribe; Dendu Gwich'in Tribal Council.
The population of the community consists of 100%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Local residents are Dendu Gwich'in Athabascans, and are active in subsistence practices. Possession of alcohol is banned in the village.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 22, and vacant housing units numbered 11.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 2 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
0 percent,
although
88.89 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $11,250, per capita income was $5,952, and
37.04 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Water is derived from Birch Creek and a slant well, is treated and stored in a 80,000-gal. tank. Residents haul water from the water plant. Honeybuckets are disposed of in the sewage lagoon or outhouses are used. No homes are plumbed. The landfill is nearing capacity, and a site has been selected to develop a new one.
Electricity is provided by Birch Creek Village Electric.
There are no state operated schools located in the community.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Birch Creek Clinic (907-221-2537).
Birch Creek Clinic is a Primary Health Care facility. Birch Creek is classified as a highway village, it is found in EMS Region 2D in the Anchorage Region. Emergency Services have river and air access. Emergency service is provided by a health aide
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Birch Creek's economy is heavily dependent upon subsistence. Salmon, whitefish, moose, black bear, waterfowl and berries provide most food sources. Wage income opportunities are extremely limited. BLM fire fighting, construction, the school, and the village council provide employment. The community is conducting planning activities to expand the economy to include tourism and merchandising. The Tribe operates the washeteria and electrical service.
Access to Birch Creek is primarily by the 4,000' long by 75' wide gravel, lighted State-owned airstrip. A new cross-wind airstrip is under construction. ATVs, motor bikes, snowmachines and skiffs are used for fishing, hunting and recreation. The village was once served by barge during high water, but no longer. There is a 26-mile winter trail to Ft. Yukon. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Village Corporation -
Tiheet' Aii, Incorporated
PO Box KBC
Fort Yukon, AK 99740
Phone 907-221-2212
Village Council -
Birch Creek Tribe
P.O. Box KBC
Fort Yukon, AK 99701
Phone 907-221-2211
Fax 907-221-2312
E-mail gene_payne@hotmail.com
Regional
Organizations
Regional Native Corporation - Doyon, Limited
1 Doyon Place, Suite 300
Fairbanks, AK 99701-2941
Phone 907-459-2000
Fax 907-459-2060
E-mail info@doyon.com
Web http://www.doyon.com
Regional Native Health Corporation - Tanana Chiefs Conference
P.O. Box 129
Tok, AK 99780
Phone 907-883-5181
Fax 907-883-1114
E-mail rose.isaac@tananachiefs.org
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