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Chistochina
(chis-toe-CHEE-nuh)
For a Map of Chistochina click here
| Current Population: |
100
(2008 Estimated Population (not Certified))
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| Incorporation Type: |
Unincorporated |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
No taxing authority
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| Location
and Climate |
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Chistochina is located at mile 32.7 on the Tok Cutoff to the Glenn Highway, 42 miles northeast of Glennallen. Sinona Creek, Bolder Creek, Chistochina River and Copper River surround the village. The community
lies at approximately 62.565000° North Latitude
and -144.664720° West Longitude.
(Sec. 16, T009N, R004E, Copper River Meridian.)
Chistochina is located in the
Chitina Recording District.
The climate in Chistochina is continental, characterized by long, cold winters and relatively warm summers. Total annual precipitation averages 13 inches, with annual snowfall averaging 61 inches. Temperature extremes from a low of -62 to a high of 91 degrees Fahrenheit have been recorded. |
Topographic
map of
Chistochina
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Chistochina began as an Ahtna fish camp and a stopover place for traders and trappers. The village access road later became part of the Valdez-Eagle Trail, constructed by miners during the gold rush to the Eagle area in 1897. Chistochina Lodge was built as a roadhouse for prospectors. The Trail was used for construction of U.S. Army Signal Corps telegraph lines from Valdez to Eagle between 1901 and 1904. Gold was mined along the upper Chistochina River and its runoff creeks. The area was settled by homesteaders, although it has remained a traditional Native village.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Cheesh-Na Tribe.
The population of the community consists of 63.4%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Chistochina is the most traditional of all Copper River Athabascan Indian villages. Subsistence activities are a crucial component of the lifestyle in the village.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 59, and vacant housing units numbered 22.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 7.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 30 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
41.18 percent,
although
63.86 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $24,107, per capita income was $12,362, and
28.57 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Almost half of residences have individual wells; the remainder haul treated water from the Community Center. Some residents use individual septic tanks, but the majority have outhouses or pit privies. About 40% of homes are completely plumbed. The local landfill is closed pending clean-up and relocation to a new site. Electricity is provided out of Tok.
Electricity is provided by Alaska Power Company.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 12
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Chistochina Health Clinic (907-822-3280); Cross Road Medical Center in Glennallen (907-822-3203).
The Sub-Regional Health Corp. provides community-based services, such as the Community Health Aide, who serves the elderly and home-bound clients, health education, and dog shot clinics. The CHA provides staffing at the clinic, contract health care, dental. Chistochina is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 2E in the Copper River Region. Emergency Services have highway and air access. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service, volunteers and a health aide
Auxiliary health care is provided by Copper River EMS Council (907-822-3671); Cross Road Medical Center in Glennallen.
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Subsistence hunting, fishing, trapping and gathering are the basis of the village's economy. Most cash employment is seasonal.
Chistochina is accessible year-round by the Glenn and Richardson Highways via the Tok Cutoff. Small aircraft may land at a State-owned 2,060' long by 90' wide turf/gravel airstrip. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Village Council -
Cheesh-na Tribe
P.O. Box 241
Chistochina, AK 99586
Phone 907-822-3503
Fax 907-822-5179
E-mail esinyon@tribalnet.org
Regional
Organizations
Regional Native Corporation - Ahtna, Incorporated
P.O. Box 649
Glennallen, AK 99588
Phone 907-822-3476
Fax 907-822-3495
E-mail rtansy@ahtna.net
Web http://www.ahtna-inc.com
Regional Native Health Corporation - Mt. Sanford Tribal Consortium
P.O. Box 357
Gakona, AK 99586
Phone 907-822-5399
Fax 907-822-5810
E-mail ebeeter@tribalnet.org
Web http://www.mstc.org/
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