KOYUKUK

Community Profile

 

Community Type: 2nd Class City

Current Population: 131

Borough Name: Unorganized

Regional Native Corporation: Doyon, Limited

REAA/School District: Yukon Koyukuk School District

 

Location

Koyukuk is located on the Yukon River near the mouth of the Koyukuk River, 30 miles west of Galena and 290 air miles west of Fairbanks.

History

Most of Koyukuk's current population are descendants of families that lived in camps along the Koyukuk River. Friendships and trading between the Koyukon and Inupiaq Eskimos of the Kobuk area has occurred for generations in this area. Koyukuk Station was a military telegraph site. Missionary activity increased after 1870.

Culture

Residents are primarily Koyukon Athabaskans with a subsistence lifestyle.

Economy

There are few full-time jobs in the community and most of the employment is government-funded. BLM emergency fire fighting and other seasonal jobs often conflict with subsistence opportunities. Trapping and beadwork supplement incomes. Two residents hold commercial fishing permits.

Transportation

The State-owned airport provides year-round transportation. The river is heavily traveled in the summer. Cargo is carried by barge several times each year. Numerous local trails and winter trails to Last Chance, Galena, Huslia and Nulato are used by residents.

Climate

The area experiences a cold, continental climate with extreme temperature differences. Temperatures range from below zero to the high 70s. Average precipitation is 13 inches, with 60 inches of snowfall annually

 

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