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Kivalina
(kiv-uh-LEE-nuh)
For Photos of Kivalina click here
For a Map of Kivalina click here
| Current Population: |
406
(2008 DCCED Certified Population)
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| Incorporation Type: |
2nd Class City |
| Borough Located In: |
Northwest Arctic Borough |
| Taxes: |
Sales: None,
Property: None, Special: None
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| National Flood Insurance Program Participant: |
Yes |
| Coastal Management District: |
Northwest Arctic Borough |
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| Location
and Climate |
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Kivalina is at the tip of an 8-mile barrier reef located between the Chukchi Sea and Kivalina River. It lies 80 air miles northwest of Kotzebue. The community
lies at approximately 67.726940° North Latitude
and -164.533330° West Longitude.
(Sec. 21, T027N, R026W, Kateel River Meridian.)
Kivalina is located in the
Kotzebue Recording District.
The area encompasses 1.9
sq. miles of land and 2.0 sq. miles
of water.
Kivalina lies in the transitional climate zone which is characterized by long, cold winters and cool summers. The average low temperature during January is -15 °F; the average high during July is 57 °F. Temperature extremes have been measured from -54 to 85 °F. Snowfall averages 57 inches, with 8.6 inches of precipitation per year. The Chukchi Sea is ice-free and open to boat traffic from mid-June to the first of November. |
Topographic
map of
Kivalina
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Kivalina has long been a stopping-off place for seasonal travelers between Arctic coastal areas and Kotzebue Sound communities. It is the only village in the Northwest Arctic Borough region where people hunt the bowhead whale. At one time, the village was located at the north end of the Kivalina Lagoon. It was reported as "Kivualinagmut" in 1847 by Lt. Zagoskin of the Russian Navy. Lt. G.M. Stoney of the U.S. Navy reported the village as "Kuveleek" in 1885. A post office was established in 1940. An airstrip was built in 1960, using metal mattings. Kivalina incorporated as a city in 1969. During the 1970s, new houses, a new school, and an electric system were constructed in the village. Prior to 1976, high school students from Noatak would attend school in Kivalina and board with local families. Due to severe erosion and wind-driven ice damage, the city intends to relocate to a new site 2.5 miles away. Relocation alternatives have been studied, and a new site has been designed and engineered.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Native Village of Kivalina.
The population of the community consists of 96.6%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Kivalina is a traditional Inupiat Eskimo village. Subsistence activities, including whaling, provide most food sources. Inupiaq dancing was reintroduced by a group of young people in September of 2008. The sale or importation of alcohol is banned in the village.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 80, and vacant housing units numbered 2.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 82 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
25.45 percent,
although
65.11 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $30,833, per capita income was $8,360, and
26.4 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Water is drawn from the Wulik River via a 3-mile surface transmission line to a 700,000-gallon raw water tank and then to a 500,000-gallon tank, where it is treated when it is pumped. The water lasts the community only for a six-month period, and the washeteria is closed to the public when the last tank is down to 12 feet, and only the school uses the water, so it can last through May. Water is limited to 30 gallons a day for the public during this period. Water is hauled by residents from this tank, which can be difficult during winter, given that there are snowhills 20 to 30 feet high in the community. One-seventh of residents have tanks which provide running water for the kitchen, but homes are not fully plumbed. There is only a public washeteria with three showers available. The school and clinic have individual water and sewer systems. Residents haul their own honeybuckets to the landfill disposal wite, which has no barrier around it and is subject to visits from wild animals, such as bears and foxes. The seagulls and crows that forage for food at the landfill are a threat to incoming airplanes.
Electricity is provided by AVEC.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 119
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Kivalina Clinic (907-645-2141).
Kivalina is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 4A in the Maniilaq Association Region. Emergency Services have coastal and air access. Emergency service is provided by volunteers and a health aide
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Kivalina's economy depends on subsistence practices. Bearded seal, walrus, bowhead whale, Dolly Varden trout, tomcods, blue cods, salmon, whitefish, and caribou are utilized. The school, city, Maniilaq Association, NANA Regional Corporation, tribal council, airlines, and local stores provide year-round jobs. The Red Dog Mine also offers some employment. Two residents hold commercial fishing permits. Native carvings and jewelry are produced from ivory and whalebones. The community is interested in developing an Arts and Crafts Center that could be readily moved to the new city site.
The major means of transportation into the community are plane and barge. The community needs a road to the proposed new city site, 2.5 miles away. A state-owned 3,000' long by 60' wide gravel airstrip serves daily flights from Kotzebue. Crowley Marine Services barges goods from Kotzebue during July and August. Small boats, ATVs and snowmachines are used for local travel. Two main hunting trails follow the Kivalina and Wulik Rivers. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
City -
City of Kivalina
P.O. Box 50079
Kivalina, AK 99750
Phone 907-645-2137
Fax 907-645-2175
E-mail kivalinacity@yahoo.com
Web http://kivalinacity.com
Village Council -
Native Village of Kivalina
P.O. Box 50051
Kivalina, AK 99750
Phone 907-645-2153
Fax 907-645-2193
E-mail kivalina@aitc.org
Regional
Organizations
Borough - Northwest Arctic Borough
P.O. Box 1110
Kotzebue, AK 99752
Phone 907-442-2500
Fax 907-442-2930 & 3740
E-mail hhildreth@nwabor.org or mwhiting@nwabor.org
Web http://www.nwabor.org
Regional Native Corporation - NANA Regional Corporation
P.O. Box 49
Kotzebue, AK 99752
Phone 907-442-3301
Fax 907-442-2866
E-mail info@nana.com
Web http://www.nana.com
Native Housing Authority - Native Village of Kivalina
P.O. Box 50051
Kivalina, AK 99750
Phone 907-645-2153
Fax 907-645-2193
E-mail kivalina@aitc.org
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