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Tanana
(TAN-uh-naw)
For Photos of Tanana click here
| Current Population: |
252
(2008 DCCED Certified Population)
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| Incorporation Type: |
1st Class City |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
Sales: 2%,
Property: None, Special: None
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| Location
and Climate |
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Tanana is located in Interior Alaska about two miles west of the junction of the Tanana and Yukon Rivers, 130 air miles west of Fairbanks. The community
lies at approximately 65.171940° North Latitude
and -152.078890° West Longitude.
(Sec. 17, T004N, R022W, Fairbanks Meridian.)
Tanana is located in the
Ft. Gibbon Recording District.
The area encompasses 11.6
sq. miles of land and 4.0 sq. miles
of water.
Tanana experiences a cold, continental climate with temperature extremes. Daily maximum temperatures during July range from 64 to 70 °F; daily minimum temperatures during January are -14 to -48 °F. Extremes have been measured from -71 to 94 °F. Average annual precipitation is 13 inches, with 50 inches of snowfall. The river is ice-free from mid-May through mid-October. |
Topographic
map of
Tanana
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Due to its location at the confluence of the Tanana and Yukon Rivers, Tanana was a traditional trading settlement for Koyukon and Tanana Athabascans long before European contact. In 1880, Harper's Station, an Alaska Commercial Company Trading Post, was established 13 miles downriver from the present site. In 1881, Church of England missionaries from Canada built a mission 8 miles downriver. Between 1887 and 1900, an elaborate school and hospital complex, the St. James Mission, was constructed. It became an important source of services and social change along both rivers. In 1898, Fort Gibbon was founded at Tanana to maintain the telegraph line between Fairbanks and Nome. A post office was also established, and several other trading posts developed around the turn of the century. Gold seekers left the Yukon after 1906. Ft. Gibbon was abandoned in 1923. The St. James Hospital was transferred to BIA administration in the 1920s. During World War II, an air base was established near Tanana as a refueling stop for the lend-lease aircraft program. New hospital facilities were built in 1949. During the 1950s, hospital administration was transferred to the U.S. Public Health Service. The City of Tanana was incorporated in 1961. The hospital complex was a major employer during this period, employing 54 persons with a payroll of $1.6 million, but it closed in 1982. That same year, Tanana incorporated as a first-class city in order to assume control of the local school system. The hospital facilities were remodeled for use as a health clinic, counseling center, tribal office, and regional elders' residence.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Native Village of Tanana.
The population of the community consists of 81.5%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Traditional Athabascan ways of life persist -- subsistence, potlatches, dances, and foot races are part of the culture.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 166, and vacant housing units numbered 45.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 42.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 100 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
23.66 percent,
although
52.38 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $29,750, per capita income was $12,077, and
22.95 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Water and sewer utilities are operated by Too'gha, Inc., a non-profit utility board. Water is derived from three wells near the Yukon River, and four watering points are available. Nearly all residents now haul their own water from the washeteria and use privies and honeybuckets. A piped water and sewer system serves the Tanana Hospital, clinic, regional elders' residence, and the tribal council building. A washeteria and water treatment plant are operating. The landfill uses an incinerator and provides recycling services.
Electricity is provided by Tanana Power Company, Inc..
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 38
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Tanana Health Center (907-366-7222).
The clinic is a qualified Emergency Care Center. X-Ray and pharmacy are available. Tanana is classified as an isolated town/Sub-Regional Center, it is found in EMS Region 1C in the Interior Region. Emergency Services have limited highway, river and airport access. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service, volunteers and a health aide
Auxiliary health care is provided by Tanana Tribal EMS (907-366-7170).
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Two-thirds of the full-time jobs in Tanana are with the city, school district, or Native council. There are a number of positions with local businesses and services. BLM firefighting, trapping, construction work, and commercial fishing are important seasonal cash sources. 14 residents hold commercial fishing permits. Subsistence foods include salmon, whitefish, moose, bear, ptarmigan, waterfowl, and berries.
Tanana is accessible only by air and river transportation. The city maintains 32 miles of local roads. The city operates a dock on the river; barged goods can be offloaded at a staging and storage area. The state owns and operates the Ralph M. Calhoun Memorial Airport, which has a 4,400' long by 150' wide lighted gravel runway. Float planes land on the Yukon River. Cars, trucks, snowmachines, ATVs, and riverboats are used for local transportation. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
City -
City of Tanana
P.O. Box 77249
Tanana, AK 99777
Phone 907-366-7159
Fax 907-366-7169
E-mail anneguthrie109@hotmail.com
Community Non-Profit -
Too'gha Inc.
P.O. Box 190
Tanana, AK 99777
Phone 907-366-7177
Fax 907-366-7227
Electric Utility -
Tanana Power Company
P.O. Box 873509
Wasilla, AK 99687-3509
Phone 907-745-5363
Fax 907-373-5599
E-mail yukontel@rogerhsa.com
School District -
Tanana City School District
P.O. Box 89
Tanana, AK 99777-0089
Phone 907-366-7203
Fax 907-366-7201
E-mail tanana.school@gmail.com
Web http://www.wolfpride.tanana.net
Village Corporation -
Tozitna, Limited
P.O. Box 77129
Tanana, AK 99777
Phone 907-366-7255
Fax 907-366-7122
Village Council -
Native Village of Tanana
P.O. Box 130
Tanana, AK 99777
Phone 907-366-7160
Fax 907-366-7195
E-mail tananatribalcouncil@hotmail.com
Regional
Organizations
Regional Native Corporation - Doyon, Limited
1 Doyon Place, Suite 300
Fairbanks, AK 99701-2941
Phone 907-459-2000
Fax 907-459-2060
E-mail info@doyon.com
Web http://www.doyon.com
Regional Native Health Corporation - Tanana Chiefs Conference
P.O. Box 129
Tok, AK 99780
Phone 907-883-5181
Fax 907-883-1114
E-mail rose.isaac@tananachiefs.org
Native Housing Authority - Native Village of Tanana
P.O. Box 130
Tanana, AK 99777
Phone 907-366-7160
Fax 907-366-7195
E-mail tananatribalcouncil@hotmail.com
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