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Kipnuk
(KIP-nuck); a.k.a. Kanganak
For a Map of Kipnuk click here
| Current Population: |
696
(2008 Estimated Population (not Certified))
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| Incorporation Type: |
Unincorporated |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
No taxing authority
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| Coastal Management District: |
Ceñaliulriit CRSA |
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| Location
and Climate |
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Kipnuk is located on the west bank of the Kugkaktlik River in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, 85 air miles southwest of Bethel. It lies four miles inland from the Bering Sea coast. The community
lies at approximately 59.938890° North Latitude
and -164.041390° West Longitude.
(Sec. 10, T003S, R086W, Seward Meridian.)
Kipnuk is located in the
Bethel Recording District.
The community is located in a marine climate. Precipitation averages 22 inches, with 43 inches of snowfall annually. Summer temperatures range from 41 to 57, winter temperatures are 6 to 24. |
Topographic
map of
Kipnuk
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Yup'ik Eskimos have inhabited the region for thousands of years. According to early BIA records, the village was established around 1922.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Native Village of Kipnuk.
The population of the community consists of 98%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Kipnuk is a traditional Yup'ik Eskimo community, maintaining a subsistence lifestyle. Commercial fishing is an important income source. The sale or importation of alcohol is banned in the village.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 154, and vacant housing units numbered 17.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 4.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 170 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
33.98 percent,
although
60.56 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $34,375, per capita income was $8,589, and
20.89 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| A 210,000 gal. water storage tank is filled from a reservoir on a nearby lake; residents haul treated water from several watering points. Honeybuckets are hauled by the village to a sewage lagoon. Homes are not plumbed. The Village Council collects refuse and maintains the Class III permitted landfill.
Electricity is provided by Kipnuk Light Plant.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 210
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Kipnuk Clinic (907-896-5927).
Kipnuk is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 7A in the Yukon/Kuskokwim Region. Emergency Services have coastal and air access. Emergency service is provided by a health aide
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Most employment in Kipnuk is in seasonal activities such as commercial fishing and construction. Subsistence activities are a major component of the Kipnuk lifestyle. 97 residents hold commercial fishing permits. Coastal Villages Seafood, Inc., processes halibut and salmon in Kipnuk. Income is also obtained by trapping. The community is also interested in an arts and crafts marketing cooperative.
Kipnuk offers a State-owned 2,120' long by 35' wide gravel airstrip, with scheduled air taxi service five times each day. Charter services are also available. A seaplane base is also available. Boats and skiffs are used by residents for local travel during the summer, with snowmachines in the winter. Winter trails exist to Tuntutuliak (77 mi.), Chefornak (20 mi.) and Kwigillingok (35 mi.) Although there is no dock, barges from Bethel deliver cargo each summer. It is a local priority to construct docking facilities. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Village Corporation -
Kugkaktlik Limited
P.O. Box 36
Kipnuk, AK 99614
Phone 907-896-5414
Fax 907-896-5140
Village Council -
Native Village of Kipnuk
P.O. Box 57
Kipnuk, AK 99614
Phone 907-896-5515
Fax 907-896-5240
E-mail kipnuktraditional@starband.net
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/
CDQ Group - Coastal Villages Region Fund
711 H Street, Suite 200
Anchorage, AK 99501-3461
Phone 907-278-5151
Fax 907-278-5150
E-mail morgen_c@coastalvillages.org
Web http://www.coastalvillages.org/
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