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Mekoryuk
(ma-KOR-ee-yuck)
For Photos of Mekoryuk click here
For a Map of Mekoryuk click here
| Current Population: |
195
(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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Mekoryuk is at the mouth of Shoal Bay on the north shore of Nunivak Island in the Bering Sea. The island lies 30 miles off the coast. It is 149 air miles west of Bethel and 553 miles west of Anchorage. Mekoryuk is part of the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge. The community
lies at approximately 60.388060° North Latitude
and -166.185000° West Longitude.
(Sec. 31, T004N, R097W, Seward Meridian.)
Mekoryuk is located in the
Cape Nome Recording District.
The area encompasses 7.4
sq. miles of land and 0.1 sq. miles
of water.
The Bering Sea, which surrounds Nunivak Island, strongly influences the climate of the island. Foggy and stormy weather are frequent. Average precipitation is 15 inches; annual snowfall averages 57 inches. Summer highs average 48 to 54 °F; winter highs run 37 to 44 °F. Extremes have been recorded from 76 to -48 °F. |
Topographic
map of
Mekoryuk
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Nunivak Island has been inhabited for 2,000 years by the Nuniwarmiut people, or Cup'ik (Choop'ik) Eskimos. The first outside contact was in 1821 by the Russian American Company, who recorded 400 people living in 16 villages on the island. A summer camp called "Koot" was noted at the current site of Mekoryuk in 1874. In 1891, Ivan Petroff found 702 Cup'iks in 9 villages, including 117 people at "Koot." An epidemic in 1900 decimated the population, leaving only four surviving families in the village. In the 1930s, the Evangelical Covenant Church was built by an Native missionary, followed by a BIA school in 1939. People moved to the village from other areas of the island to be near the school. Reindeer were introduced for commercial purposes in 1920 by an Eskimo-Russian trader. The operation was purchased by BIA in the 1940s, and a slaughterhouse was constructed in 1945. The reindeer were crossed with caribou from Denali Park, and the resulting animals are larger and harder to handle than other reindeer in the state. 34 musk-ox from Greenland were transferred to the island in 1934 in an effort to save the species from extinction. Today, the musk-ox herd numbers around 500, and calves from this herd have been relocated and introduced to other areas of Alaska. A post office was opened in 1940. In the 1940s, the women lived in semi-subterranean sod houses and the men stayed at one or more "kasigi" or men's community houses. At that time, traditional ceremonies and religious beliefs were still practiced. The 50s and 60s brought considerable change. An airstrip was built in 1957, and the Territorial Guard was formed. Men went to Fort Richardson near Anchorage for training. By this time, Mekoryuk was the only permanent community on the island. During this time, many families moved to Bethel to be near the high school, returning during late spring for fishing and sea mammal hunting. The city was incorporated in 1969. A high school was constructed in 1978
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Native Village of Mekoryuk.
The population of the community consists of 96.7%
Alaska Native or part Native.
This Cup'ik Eskimo village maintains reindeer and musk ox herds and practices a subsistence lifestyle. The sale, importation, or possession of alcohol is banned in the village.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 96, and vacant housing units numbered 23.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 6.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 77 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
19.79 percent,
although
46.15 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $30,833, per capita income was $11,957, and
21.88 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 and is treated and stored in a tank. A flush/haul system currently serves about 90% of homes. The school has its own well. The washeteria has piped disposal to a new permitted sewage lagoon.
Electricity is provided by AVEC.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 32
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Mekoryuk Health Clinic (907-827-8111).
Mekoryuk 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 |
Employment by the school, city, village corporation, commercial fishing, construction, and service industries prevails. The Bering Sea Reindeer Products Co. is a major employer. Trapping and Native crafts, such as knitting qiviut (musk ox underwool), provide income to many families. 48 residents hold commercial fishing permits, primarily for halibut and herring roe. Coastal Villages Seafood Inc. processes halibut and salmon in Mekoryuk. Almost all families engage in subsistence activities, and most have fish camps. Salmon, reindeer, seal meat, and oil are important staples.
Mekoryuk relies heavily on air transportation for passenger, mail, and cargo service. A state-owned 3,070' long by 75' wide gravel runway allows year-round access. A breakwater protects the shoreline from Bering Sea waves. Barges deliver goods from Bethel once or twice each summer. Boats, snowmachines, and ATVs are used for travel within the community. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
City -
City of Mekoryuk
P.O. Box 29
Mekoryuk, AK 99630
Phone 907-827-8314
Fax 907-827-8626
E-mail cityofmekoryuk@yahoo.com
Village Corporation -
Nima Corporation
P.O. Box 52
Mekoryuk, AK 99607
Phone 907-827-8636
Fax 907-827-8639
Village Council -
Native Village of Mekoryuk
P.O. Box 66
Mekoryuk, AK 99630
Phone 907-827-8828
Fax 907-827-8133
E-mail mekoryukira@yahoo.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 - 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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