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Brevig Mission
(BREH-vig)
For Photos of Brevig Mission click here
For a Map of Brevig Mission click here
| Current Population: |
350
(2008 DCCED Certified Population)
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| Incorporation Type: |
2nd Class City |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
Sales: 3%,
Property: None, Special: None
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| Coastal Management District: |
Bering Straits CRSA |
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| Location
and Climate |
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Brevig Mission is located at the mouth of Shelman Creek on Port Clarence, 5 miles northwest of Teller and 65 miles northwest of Nome. The community
lies at approximately 65.334720° North Latitude
and -166.489170° West Longitude.
(Sec. 09, T002S, R038W, Kateel River Meridian.)
Brevig Mission is located in the
Cape Nome Recording District.
The area encompasses 2.6
sq. miles of land and 0.1 sq. miles
of water.
Brevig Mission has a maritime climate with continental influences when the Bering Sea freezes. Summer temperatures average 44 to 57 °F. Winter temperatures average -9 to 8 °F. Annual precipitation averages 11.5 inches, and annual snowfall averages 50 inches. Port Clarence is generally ice-free between early June and mid-November. |
Topographic
map of
Brevig Mission
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| The Kauwerak Eskimos in this area lived in migratory communities in pursuit of hunting and fishing grounds and traded furs with Siberia, Little Diomede, and King Island. They formed alliances with Wales, Little Diomede, and others for protection. The "Teller Reindeer Station" opened near this site in 1892; it was operated by the U.S. government until 1900. The Norwegian Rev. Tollef L. Brevig, a pioneer Lutheran missionary, began serving the reindeer station on August 1, 1894, as pastor and teacher to the Laplanders and Eskimos. Rev. Brevig traveled between villages by dog team along the beach and often performed services in Nome. A Lutheran Mission was constructed at the present site in 1900, and the village became known as "Teller Mission." The mission was given 100 reindeer on a five-year loan from the government. By 1906, the government's role had diminished, and the mission became dominant. In 1963, the Brevig Mission post office was established. The city was incorporated in 1969. Reindeer were the economic base of this community until 1974, but the industry has since declined.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Native Village of Brevig Mission.
The population of the community consists of 92%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Brevig Mission is predominantly Inupiat Eskimo with a subsistence lifestyle. The sale, importation, and possession of alcohol is banned in the village.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 76, and vacant housing units numbered 8.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 5.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 80 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
2.44 percent,
although
47.71 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $21,875, per capita income was $7,278, and
48.36 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| A piped water and sewer system is available. Water is supplied by 2 underground wells located near Shelmon Creek and is treated and stored in a 100,000-gallon tank at the washeteria. The tank is filled monthly. Water is piped into the school from the city's water mains. The landfill is permitted.
Electricity is provided by AVEC.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 111
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Brevig Mission Clinic (907-642-4311).
Brevig Mission Clinic is a Primary Health Care facility. Brevig Mission is in need of a new and bigger Health Clinic. Brevig Mission is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 5A in the Norton Sound Region. Emergency Services have coastal and air access. Emergency service is provided by a health aide
Auxiliary health care is provided by None.
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| Economy
and Transportation |
The people of Brevig Mission subsist upon fish, moose, reindeer, seal, walrus, and beluga whales. The primary employers are the city and school district. Year-round jobs are scarce, unemployment is high, and seasonal jobs in mining and construction are becoming limited due to a depressed minerals market. Arts and crafts provide some cash income.
Brevig Mission is accessible by air and sea and, in the winter, over land or ice. A cargo ship stops annually. The state-owned 3,000' long by 100' wide gravel airstrip with a 2,110' long by 75' wide gravel crosswind strip enables year-round access. Regular air service is available from Nome, and charters are provided from Nome and Teller. Teller is 5 miles away by boat. A 72-mile gravel road between Teller and Nome is maintained by the state during the summer. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
City -
City of Brevig Mission
P.O. Box 85021
Brevig Mission, AK 99785
Phone 907-642-3038
Fax 907-642-2194
E-mail mayor_kts@yahoo.com
Village Corporation -
Brevig Mission Native Corporation
P.O. Box 85024
Brevig Mission, AK 99785
Phone 907-642-4091
Fax 907-642-2060
Village Council -
Native Village of Brevig Mission
P.O. Box 85039
Brevig Mission, AK 99785
Phone 907-642-4301
Fax 907-642-2099
E-mail tc.kts@kawerak.org
Web http://www.kawerak.org/tribalHomePages/brevig/index.html
Regional
Organizations
Regional Native Non-Profit - Kawerak, Incorporated
P.O. Box 948
Nome, AK 99762
Phone 907-443-5231
Fax 907-443-4452
E-mail exec.sec@kawerak.org
Web http://www.kawerak.org
CDQ Group - Norton Sound Econ. Dev. Corp.
420 L St., Suite 310
Anchorage, AK 99501-1971
Phone 907-274-2248
Fax 907-274-2249
E-mail eugene@nsedc.com
Web http://www.nsedc.com
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