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Oscarville
a.k.a. Kuiggayagaq
For a Map of Oscarville click here
| Current Population: |
95
(2008 Estimated Population (not Certified))
|
| 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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Oscarville is located on the north bank of the Kuskokwim River opposite Napaskiak, 6 miles southwest of Bethel. It lies 401 miles west of Anchorage. The community
lies at approximately 60.722780° North Latitude
and -161.770000° West Longitude.
(Sec. 05, T007N, R071W, Seward Meridian.)
Oscarville is located in the
Bethel Recording District.
The weather is influenced by storms in the Bering Sea and also by the inland continent. Average precipitation is 16 inches and snowfall is 50 inches. Summer temperatures average 42 to 62, winter temperatures average -2 to 19. The Kuskokwim River is typically ice-free from June through October. |
Topographic
map of
Oscarville
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| In 1908, Oscar Samuelson and his wife, an Eskimo from the Nushagak region, moved from Napaskiak across the River and opened a trading post. A few Native families settled nearby and the site came to be known as Oscarville. Samuelson managed the store for 45 years, until his death in 1953. By 1955, there were 13 homes and two warehouses in the village. The Samuelsons continued to operate the store until 1975 when it was sold; it was closed in the early 1980s. A school was built by the BIA in 1964.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Oscarville Traditional Village.
The population of the community consists of 100%
Alaska Native or part Native.
The year-round population of Oscarville is primarily Yup'ik Eskimos. Subsistence is an integral part of the lifestyle, and some commercial fishing occurs.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 20, and vacant housing units numbered 5.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 1.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 13 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
0 percent,
although
50 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $8,125, per capita income was $5,825, and
40 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Treated well water is hauled from the washeteria. A few homes have individual systems that collect and use rainwater. About one-fourth of homes have running water to the kitchen, but no homes have complete plumbing. The school has its own well and sewage lagoon. Honeybuckets are disposed of by residents in the sewage lagoon. An electrical transmission line from Bethel supplies power.
Electricity is provided by Bethel Utilities Corporation.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 28
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Oscarville Health Clinic (907-737-7231).
Oscarville is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 7A in the Yukon/Kuskokwim Region. Emergency Services have river and helicopter access. Emergency service is provided by a health aide
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| Economy
and Transportation |
The school and health clinic are the only permanent sources of employment. Residents use the post office and airstrip at Napaskiak. One resident holds a commercial permit for the salmon net fishery. Trapping and handicrafts provide some income. Subsistence activities provide most food sources. Salmon, waterfowl, moose, bear, and seals are utilized.
Oscarville relies heavily on Napaskiak for passenger, mail and cargo services. Residents use skiffs to pick up mail in Napaskiak or shop in Bethel. The village is interested in construction of an airport. Barge services deliver goods once a year. The river is an important means of transportation in summer and in the winter as an ice road, however, during breakup and freezeup, the community can be periodically isolated. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Village Corporation -
Oscarville Native Corporation
P.O. Box 6149
Oscarville, AK 99559
Village Council -
Oscarville Traditional Village
P.O. Box 6129
Napaskiak, AK 99559
Phone 907-737-7099
Fax 907-737-7428
E-mail mstevens@avcp.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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