| |
Venetie
(VEEN-uh-tie)
For Photos of Venetie click here
For a Map of Venetie click here
| Current Population: |
177
(2008 Estimated Population (not Certified))
|
| Incorporation Type: |
Unincorporated |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
No taxing authority
|
|
| Location
and Climate |
|
Venetie is located on the north side of the Chandalar River, 45 miles northwest of Fort Yukon. The community
lies at approximately 67.013890° North Latitude
and -146.418610° West Longitude.
(Sec. 10, T025N, R006E, Fairbanks Meridian.)
Venetie is located in the
Fairbanks Recording District.
The winters are long and harsh and the summers are short but warm. Daily minimum temperatures between November and March are usually below 0. Extended periods of -50 to -60 are common. Summer high temperatures run 65 to 72; a high of 97 degrees has been recorded. Total annual precipitation averages 6.58 inches, with 43.4 inches of snowfall. The Chandalar River is ice-free from the end of May through mid-September. |
Topographic
map of
Venetie
area
 |
| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Known to early explorers as Old Robert's Village or Chandalar Village, Venetie was founded in 1895 by a man named Old Robert who chose Venetie because of its plentiful fish and game. In 1899, the U.S. Geological Survey noted about 50 Natives living on the Chandalar, some in small settlements of cabins about 7 miles above the mouth of the River, but most in the mountainous part of the country beyond the Yukon Flats. He noted that the Natives spent only the coldest winter months in cabins and the remainder of the year traveling for various food sources. In 1905, Venetie was a settlement of a half a dozen cabins and 25 or 30 residents. The gold rush to the Chandalar region in 1906-07 brought a large number of miners. A mining camp of nearly 40 cabins and attendant services was established at Caro upriver from Venetie, and another store was located near the mouth of the East Fork. By 1910, the Chandalar was largely played out and Caro almost completely abandoned. In 1943, the Venetie Indian Reservation was established, due to the combined efforts of the residents of Venetie, Arctic Village, Christian Village and Robert's Fish Camp, who worked together to protect their land for subsistence use. At about this same time, a school was established at Venetie, encouraging additional families to settle in the village. Eventually an airstrip, post office and store were built. During the 1950s and 60s, the use of seasonal camps declined, but the advent of the snowmachine enabled Venetie residents to renew use of areas which had traditionally been occupied seasonally. When the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) was passed in 1971, Venetie and Arctic Village opted for title to the 1.8 million acres of land in the former Reservation, which they own as tenants in common through the Native Village of Venetie Tribal Government.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Village of Venetie; Native Village of Venetie Tribal Government (Arctic Village and Village of Venetie).
The population of the community consists of 96.5%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Venetie is comprised largely of descendants of the Neets'ai Gwich'in, and to a lesser extent the Gwichyaa and Dihaii Gwich'in. The village council is combined with Arctic Village. Subsistence activities are an important part of the local culture.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 79, and vacant housing units numbered 16.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 8.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 44 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
36.23 percent,
although
69.44 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $21,000, per capita income was $7,314, and
42.79 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
|
| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Water is derived from a well near the Chandalar River, then is treated and stored in a tank. Residents haul water and honeybuckets. A flush/haul system is serving 6 homes. A washeteria and water treatment plant are aperational and use a small solar power system to provide some electricity.
Electricity is provided by Venetie Village Electric.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 48
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Myra Roberts Clinic (907-849-8712).
Venetie is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 1C in the Interior Region. Emergency Services have river and air access. Emergency service is provided by a health aide
|
| Economy
and Transportation |
Venetie is heavily dependent on subsistence. Salmon, whitefish, moose, caribou, bear, waterfowl and small game provide meat sources. Most employment is through the school, clinic, post office, store and village council. The National Guard has used Venetie as a cold weather survival training school. BLM employs residents as fire fighters seasonally. The village is interested in developing a small mill to process local lumber for housing and other projects, and in tourism promotion. Cabins manufactured from local logs could house visitors, developing arts and crafts activities, cultural activities and a museum.
Access to Venetie is almost exclusively by air. The Venetie Tribal Council owns and operates the 4,100' long by 65' wide dirt/gravel airstrip. The Chandalar River provides access by boat from May to October, but there is no barge service, due to shallow water. Motor bikes, 4-wheelers, snowmobiles and dog teams are used for local travel. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Village Council -
Village of Venetie
P.O. Box 81119
Venetie, AK 99781
Phone 907-849-8212
Fax 907-849-8149
E-mail ninafrank@hotmail.com
Village Council -
Native Village of Venetie Tribal Government
P.O. Box 81080
Venetie, AK 99781
Phone 907-849-8165
Fax 907-849-8097
E-mail venetietribal@hotmail.com, vvc_members@yahoo.com
Regional
Organizations
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
|
 |
|
