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Chalkyitsik
(chall-KEET-sick)
For Photos of Chalkyitsik click here
For a Map of Chalkyitsik click here
| Current Population: |
71
(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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Chalkyitsik is located on the Black River about 50 miles east of Fort Yukon. The community
lies at approximately 66.654440° North Latitude
and -143.722220° West Longitude.
(Sec. 12, T021N, R018E, Fairbanks Meridian.)
Chalkyitsik is located in the
Fairbanks Recording District.
Chalkyitsik has a continental arctic climate, characterized by seasonal extremes of temperature. Winters are long and harsh, and summers 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. Annual precipitation averages 6.5 inches and annual snowfall averages 43.4 inches. The Black River is ice-free from mid-June to mid-October. |
Topographic
map of
Chalkyitsik
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Chalkyitsik means "fish hooking place," and has traditionally been an important seasonal fishing site for the Gwich'in. Archaeological excavations in the area reveal use and occupancy of the region as early as 10,000 B.C. Village elders remember a highly nomadic way of life, living at the headwaters of the Black River from autumn to spring, and then floating downriver to fish in summer. Early explorers of the region refer briefly to the Black River Gwich'in Natives. Archdeacon MacDonald encountered them on the Black and Porcupine Rivers, as well as trading and socializing in Fort Yukon and Rampart, on a number of occasions from 1863 to 1868. Around the turn of the century, the Black River band began to settle in Salmon Village, about 70 miles upriver from the present site. The first permanent structure was built there by William Salmon, a Canadian Indian who married a Black River woman. In the late 1930s, a boat bound for Salmon Village with construction materials for a school had to unload at Chalkyitsik because of low water. The site was used as a seasonal fishing camp, and four cabins existed at that time. The decision was made to build the school there, and the Black River people began to settle around the school. By 1969, there were 26 houses, a store, two churches and a community hall in Chalkyitsik.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Chalkyitsik Village.
The population of the community consists of 97.6%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Chalkyitsik is a traditional Gwich'in Athabascan village, with a subsistence lifestyle. The sale or importation of alcohol is banned in the village.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 62, and vacant housing units numbered 27.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 18.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 17 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
0 percent,
although
63.83 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $16,250, per capita income was $11,509, and
52.63 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Water is derived from a well under the Black River, treated and stored in a 100,000-gal. tank. Residents haul water from the new water treatment plant/washeteria/clinic building, and use honeybuckets or outhouses for sewage disposal. No homes are plumbed. The village provides water to the school.
Electricity is provided by Chalkyitsik Village Energy System.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 20
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Chalkyitsik Village Clinic (907-848-8215).
Chalkyitsik Village Clinic is a Primary Health Care facility. The Tribe received a $100,000 grant for a new Clinic design from the Denali Commission. Chalkyitsik is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 1C in the Interior Region. Emergency Services have river and air access, and are within 30 minutes of a higher-level satellite health care facility. Emergency service is provided by a health aide
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Wage opportunities are limited and primarily part-time with the school district, village council, clinic, or state and federal agencies. Seasonal work is found fire firefighting for the BLM, making sleds and snowshoes, trapping and handicrafts. Subsistence plays an important role in the village economy. Moose, caribou, sheep, salmon and whitefish provide a relatively stable source of food.
Access is primarily by air; there is a State-owned 4,000' long by 90' wide gravel runway. Residents own ATVs, snowmachines and skiffs for fishing, hunting and recreation. No roads connect Chalkyitsik with other villages, although there is a winter trail to Fort Yukon. It is accessible by small riverboat. Chalkyitsik received cargo by barge at one time, but the service is no longer provided. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Village Corporation -
Chalkyitsik Native Corporation
P.O. Box 53
Chalkyitsik, AK 99788
Phone 907-848-8112
Fax 907-848-8114
E-mail RobinJonas@hotmail.com
Village Council -
Chalkyitsik Village Council
P.O. Box 57
Chalkyitsik, AK 99788
Phone 907-848-8117
Fax 907-848-8986
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
Native Housing Authority - Chalkyitsik Village Council
P.O. Box 57
Chalkyitsik, AK 99788
Phone 907-848-8117
Fax 907-848-8986
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