| |
Newtok
(NOO-tock)
| Current Population: |
357
(2008 Estimated Population (not Certified))
|
| Incorporation Type: |
Unincorporated |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
No taxing authority
|
| Coastal Management District: |
Ceñaliulriit CRSA |
|
| Location
and Climate |
|
Newtok is on the Ninglick River north of Nelson Island in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Region. It is 94 miles northwest of Bethel. The community
lies at approximately 60.942780° North Latitude
and -164.629440° West Longitude.
(Sec. 24, T010N, R087W, Seward Meridian.)
Newtok is located in the
Bethel Recording District.
Newtok is located in a marine climate. Average precipitation is 17 inches, with annual snowfall of 22 inches. Summer temperatures range from 42 to 59, winter temperatures are 2 to 19. |
Topographic
map of
Newtok
area
 |
| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| The people of Newtok share a heritage with Nelson Island communities; their ancestors have lived on the Bering Sea coast for at least 2,000 years. The people from the five villages are known as Qaluyaarmiut, or "dip net people." Only intermittent outside contact occurred until the 1920s. In the 1950s the Territorial Guard found volunteers from Newtok while they were traveling to Bethel. Tuberculosis was a major health problem during this period. In the late 1950s, the village was relocated from Old Kealavik ten miles away to its present location to escape flooding. A school was built in 1958, although high school students were required to travel to Bethel, St. Mary's, Sitka or Anchorage for their education. This was often their first exposure to the outside, and students returned with a good knowledge of the English language and culture. A high school was constructed in Newtok in the 1980s. A City was incorporated in 1976, but it was dissolved on Jan. 28, 1997. Due to severe erosion, the village wants to relocate to a new site called Taqikcaq, approximately 5 miles away on Nelson Island. In November 2003, the 108th Congress passed S. 924, allowing the village to relocate to Nelson Island. The legislation authorizes an exchange of lands between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Newtok Native Corporation to allow villagers to relocate.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Newtok Village.
The population of the community consists of 96.9%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Newtok is a traditional Yup'ik Eskimo village, with an active subsistence lifestyle. Relative isolation from outside influences has enabled the area to retain its traditions and customs; more so than other parts of Alaska. The sale or importation of alcohol is banned in the village.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 67, and vacant housing units numbered 4.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 101 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
24.63 percent,
although
52.13 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $32,188, per capita income was $9,514, and
30.99 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
|
| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Water is pumped from a lake into a water treatment plant, then hauled from a storage tank. In winter, melted ice is used when water in the storage tank runs dry or freezes. Households are not plumbed, and honeybuckets are used. A washeteria is available. The health clinic uses flush/haul tanks and the schools have individual wells. Refuse collection is provided, and a landfill is available, but DOT has determined that it is too close to the airport. The community wants to relocate and rebuild facilities on Nelson Island.
Electricity is provided by Ungusrag Power Company.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 126
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Newtok Health Clinic (907-237-2111).
Newtok 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
|
| Economy
and Transportation |
The school, clinic, village services, and commercial fishing provide employment. Subsistence activities and trapping supplement income. 27 residents hold commercial fishing permits.
A State-owned 2,202' long by 35' wide gravel airstrip provides chartered or private air access year-round; major improvements are under construction. A seaplane base is also available. Boats, skiffs and snowmachines are used for local transportation and subsistence activities. Winter trails are marked to Chevak (50 mi.), Tununak, Toksook Bay, Nightmute and Manaryarapiaq (33.8 mi.) Barges deliver cargo during the summer months. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Electric Utility -
Ungusraq Power Company
P.O. Box 5564
Newtok, AK 99559
Phone 907-237-2177
Fax 907-237-2130
Village Corporation -
Newtok Corporation
P.O. Box 5528
Newtok, AK 99559
Phone 907-237-2512
Fax 907-237-2227
Village Council -
Newtok Traditional Council
P.O. Box 5545
Newtok, AK 99559
Phone 907-237-2314
Fax 907-237-2428
E-mail ntcamii@yahoo.com
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/
|
 |
|
