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Nikolski
(nih-COAL-skee)
For Photos of Nikolski click here
For a Map of Nikolski click here
| Current Population: |
27
(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: |
Aleutians West CRSA |
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| Location
and Climate |
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Nikolski is located on Nikolski Bay, off the southwest end of Umnak Island, one of the Fox Islands. It lies 116 air miles west of Unalaska, and 900 air miles from Anchorage. The community
lies at approximately 52.938060° North Latitude
and -168.867780° West Longitude.
(Sec. 04, T084S, R136W, Seward Meridian.)
Nikolski is located in the
Aleutian Islands Recording District.
Nikolski lies in the maritime climate zone. Temperatures range from 11 to 65. Snowfall averages 41 inches; total precipitation is 21 inches. Strong winds are frequent during the winter, and fog during the summer, which limits accessibility. |
Topographic
map of
Nikolski
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Nikolski is reputed by some to be the oldest continuously-occupied community in the world. Archaeological evidence from Ananiuliak Island, on the north side of Nikolski Bay, dates as far back as 8,500 years ago. The Chaluka archaeological site, in the village of Nikolski, indicates 4,000 years of virtually continuous occupation. People were living in Nikloski before the pyramids were built, the Mayan calendar was invented, or the Chinese language was written. In 1834, it was the site of sea otter hunting, and was recorded by the Russians as "Recheshnoe," which means "river." In 1920, a boom in fox farming occurred here. The Unangan became affluent enough to purchase a relatively large boat, the "Umnak Native," which was wrecked in 1933. A sheep ranch was established in 1926 as part of the Aleutian Livestock Company. In June 1942, when the Japanese attacked Unalaska and seized Attu and Kiska, residents were evacuated to the Ketchikan area. Locals were allowed to return in 1944, but the exposure to the outside world brought about many changes in the traditional lifestyle and community attitudes. In the 1950s, the Air Force constructed a White Alice radar communication site here, which provided some jobs. It was abandoned in late 1977.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Native Village of Nikolski.
The population of the community consists of 69.2%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Residents are known as Unangan, and Aleut is spoken in three-quarters of all homes. Subsistence activities, sheep and cattle raising, and fishing-related employment sustain the community.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 28, and vacant housing units numbered 13.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 3.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 22 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
0 percent,
although
43.59 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $38,750, per capita income was $14,082, and
20.69 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| The twelve occupied homes in Nikolski are connected to a piped water system and individual septic tanks. All homes are fully plumbed. The Council provides septic pumping services.
Electricity is provided by Umnak Power Company.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 8
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Nikolski Health Clinic (907-576-2204).
Nikolski is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 2H in the Aleutian/Pribilof Region. Emergency Services have coastal and helicopter access. Emergency service is provided by volunteers
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Most residents support themselves by working outside the village at crab canneries and on processing ships. The lack of a harbor and dock have limited fisheries-related activities. The village is interested in developing a small value-added fish processing plant and a sport fishing lodge to attract former residents who left Nikolski for economic reasons. A sport-fishing charter boat was recently purchased by APICDA. Sheep, cattle and horses graze over much of the island. Income is supplemented by subsistence activities, which provide a substantial part of the villagers' diets. Salmon, halibut, seals and ducks are utilized.
Nikolski has a 3,500' unlighted gravel runway which provides passenger, mail and cargo service. The airstrip is owned by the U.S. Air Force. It has no landing or port facilities for ships. Barges deliver cargo once or twice a year. Goods and passengers are lightered three miles to the beach. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Electric Utility -
Umnak Power Company
PO Box 105
Nikolski, AK 99638
Phone 907-576-2225
Fax 907-576-2205
E-mail iratribaladmin@ak.net
Village Corporation -
Chaluka Corporation
PO Box 104
Nikolski, AK 99638
Phone 907-576-2216
E-mail danddclan@aol.com
Village Council -
Native Village of Nikolski
P.O. Box 105
Nikolski, AK 99638
Phone 907-576-2225
Fax 907-576-2205
E-mail ikotribeadmin@ak.net
Regional
Organizations
Native Housing Authority - Aleutian Housing Authority
520 E. 32nd Ave
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone 907-563-2146
Fax 907-563-3105
E-mail dand@aleutian-housing.com
Web http://www.aleutian-housing.com/
CDQ Group - Aleutian/Pribilof Island Comm. Dev. Assoc.
234 Gold Street
Juneau, AK 99801-1211
Phone 907-586-0161
Fax 907-586-0165
E-mail LCotter371@aol.com
Web http://www.apicda.com
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