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Russian Mission
a.k.a. Iqurmiut
For a Map of Russian Mission click here
| Current Population: |
362
(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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Russian Mission is located on the west bank of the Yukon River in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, 25 miles southeast of Marshall. It lies 70 air miles northeast of Bethel and 376 miles west of Anchorage. The community
lies at approximately 61.785000° North Latitude
and -161.320280° West Longitude.
(Sec. 31, T020N, R066W, Seward Meridian.)
Russian Mission is located in the
Bethel Recording District.
The area encompasses 5.7
sq. miles of land and 0.5 sq. miles
of water.
The climate exhibits a significant maritime influence. Temperatures range from -54 to 86 °F. Annual precipitation is 16 inches, with snowfall of 60 inches. Heavy northern winds often limit air access in the fall and winter. The Lower Yukon is ice-free from mid-June through October. |
Topographic
map of
Russian Mission
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| The first Russian American Company fur trading post on the Yukon River was established here in 1837. The settlement was recorded as an Eskimo village called "Ikogmiut," meaning "people of the point," in 1842 by the Russian explorer Zagoskin. The first Russian Orthodox mission in Interior Alaska was established here in 1857 by the Russian-Aleut priest Jacob Netzuetov. The mission was called "Pokrovskaya Mission," and the village name was changed to Russian Mission in 1900. It was often confused with another village on the Kuskokwim called "Russian Mission," which was was renamed Chuathbaluk. The city was incorporated in 1970.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Native Village of Chuathbaluk, Iqurmiut Traditional Council.
The population of the community consists of 93.9%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Russian Mission is a Yup'ik Eskimo village. Subsistence is the focus of the culture. The sale or importation of alcohol is banned in the village.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 81, and vacant housing units numbered 11.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 4.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 83 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
21.7 percent,
although
52.84 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $27,500, per capita income was $8,358, and
21.77 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Water is derived from a deep well and is treated and distributed via buried pipes throughout the community. Most homes are also connected to the piped sewage system. Refuse is disposed of by individuals at the landfill.
Electricity is provided by AVEC.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 116
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Russian Mission Clinic (907-584-5529); Clara Morgan Sub-Regional Clinic (907-675-4556) in Aniak.
Russian Mission is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 7A in the Yukon/Kuskokwim Region. Emergency Services have river, floatplane and air access. Emergency service is provided by a health aide
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Employment opportunities are limited to the school, local businesses, and fishing. Sixteen residents hold commercial fishing permits. Seasonal employment includes BLM firefighting and construction. Some income is earned from trapping, and subsistence activities are prevalent. Salmon, moose, black bear, porcupine, rabbit, and waterfowl are utilized.
Russian Mission's location on the Yukon River allows barge and small boat travel during the summer. Passengers, mail, and light goods arrive primarily by air. A 2,700' long by 50' wide gravel airstrip and seaplane landing area are owned and operated by the state. Scheduled daily flights are available. Snow machines enable inter-village transportation in the winter; a winter trail is marked to Kalskag (25 mi.). |
Organizations
with Local Offices
City -
City of Russian Mission
P.O. Box 49
Russian Mission, AK 99657
Phone 907-584-5111
Fax 907-584-5476
Village Corporation -
Russian Mission Native Corporation
P.O. Box 48
Russian Mission, AK 99657
Phone 907-584-5885
Fax 907-584-5311
Village Council -
Iqurmuit Traditional Council
P.O. Box 09
Russian Mission, AK 99657
Phone 907-584-5511
Fax 907-584-5593
E-mail denise_kozevnikoff@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/
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