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Kongiganak
(kahn-GIG-uh-nuk); abbr. Kong
For Photos of Kongiganak click here
For a Map of Kongiganak click here
| Current Population: |
445
(2008 Estimated Population (not Certified))
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| Incorporation Type: |
Unincorporated |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
No taxing authority
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| Coastal Management District: |
Ceñaliulriit CRSA |
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| Location
and Climate |
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Kongiganak is located on the west shore of Kuskokwim Bay, west of the mouth of the Kuskokwim River. It lies 70 miles southwest of Bethel and 451 miles west of Anchorage. The community
lies at approximately 59.880000° North Latitude
and -163.054000° West Longitude.
(Sec. 33, T002S, R079W, Seward Meridian.)
Kongiganak is located in the
Bethel Recording District.
Kongiganak is located in a marine climate. Precipitation averages 22 inches, with 43 inches of snowfall annually. Summer temperatures range from 41 to 57, winter temperatures are 6 to 24. |
Topographic
map of
Kongiganak
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| The area has been occupied historically by Yup'ik Eskimos. The village was permanently settled in the late 1960s by former residents of Kwigillingok, who were seeking higher ground to escape periodic flooding.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Native Village of Kongiganak.
The population of the community consists of 97.2%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Kongiganak is a traditional Yup'ik Eskimo village with a fishing and subsistence lifestyle and culture. The sale, importation or possession of alcohol is banned in the village.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 90, and vacant housing units numbered 11.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 1.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 138 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
3.5 percent,
although
48.31 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $33,250, per capita income was $9,881, and
13.77 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Treated surface water is hauled from the washeteria. Some residents use rain catchment during the summer and ice melt in the winter. Honeybuckets are hauled by the village from disposal bunkers to a pre-treatment plant at the sewage lagoon. Homes are not plumbed.
Electricity is provided by Puvurnaq Power Company.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 141
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Lillian E. Jimmy Memorial Health Clinic (907-557-5127).
Kongiganak 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 |
Approximately half of the employment in Kongiganak is at the school. The remaining employment is with village services, stores, and commercial fishing. 28 residents hold commercial fishing permits. Poor returns and reduced salmon prices in recent years have affected the economy. Subsistence activities are important supplements to income. Some trapping occurs.
A State-owned 1,885' long by 35' wide gravel airstrip is available. Snowmobiles, boats and skiffs provide local transportation to Bethel and other area villages. Winter trails exist to Kwigillingok (11.1 mi.) and Tuntutuliak (29 mi.) There are no docking facilities; barges deliver cargo once or twice each summer. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Electric Utility -
Puvurnaq Power Company
P.O. Box 5009
Kongiganak, AK 99559-5009
Phone 907-557-5614
Fax 907-557-5614
Village Corporation -
Qemirtalek Coast Corporation
General Delivery
Kongiganak, AK 99559
Phone 907-557-5529
Fax 907-557-5711
Village Council -
Native Village of Kongiganak
P.O. Box 5069
Kongiganak, AK 99559
Phone 907-557-5226
Fax 907-557-5224
E-mail tommy_phillip@lksd.org
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 - Coastal Villages Region Fund
711 H Street, Suite 200
Anchorage, AK 99501-3461
Phone 907-278-5151
Fax 907-278-5150
E-mail morgen_c@coastalvillages.org
Web http://www.coastalvillages.org/
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