Chefornak, Alaska
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| Chefornak, Alaska | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Census Area | Bethel |
| Area | |
| - Total | 6.5 sq mi (16.8 km²) |
| - Land | 5.7 sq mi (14.8 km²) |
| - Water | 0.8 sq mi (2 km²) |
| Elevation | 0 ft (0 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 394 |
| Time zone | Alaska (AKST) (UTC-9) |
| - Summer (DST) | AKDT (UTC-8) |
| Area code(s) | 907 |
| FIPS code | 02-12680 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1400188 |
Chefornak (Cevv'arneq in Central Yup'ik) is a city in Bethel Census Area, Alaska, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 394.
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[edit] Geography
Chefornak is located at (60.159070, -164.269437)[1].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.5 square miles (16.8 km²), of which, 5.7 square miles (14.8 km²) of it is land and 0.8 square miles (2.0 km²) of it (11.71%) is water.
An extinct volcano, Tern Mountain, is visible in the distance. Large, blocky, igneous rocks are a common site in the village and the surrounding tundra.
[edit] Demographics
As of the 2000 census, there were 394 people, 75 households, and 63 families residing in the city. The population density was 68.8 people per square mile (26.5/km²). There were 82 housing units at an average density of 14.3/sq mi (5.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 2.03% White, 93.40% Native American, and 4.57% from two or more races.
There were 75 households out of which 60.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.3% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.0% were non-families. 14.7% of all households were made up of individuals and none had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 5.25 and the average family size was 5.98.
In the city the population was spread out with 45.2% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 16.5% from 45 to 64, and 4.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 21 years. For every 100 females there were 106.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 113.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,556, and the median income for a family was $36,042. Males had a median income of $15,000 versus $20,833 for females. The per capita income for the city was $8,474. About 21.3% of families and 25.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.0% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Cultural Activities
Eskimo dancing is popular in the village. The high school has an Eskimo Dance Team which often visits other villages for feasts and festivals. Often the village hosts a dance festival in April, and the large Camai-i festival in Bethel attracts many from Chefornak and the surrounding villages to display their dances and to see the dances of other regions.
[edit] Subsistence Living
Many of the villagers live a subsistence lifestyle which means that they continue to carry out the traditional hunter-gatherer activities of their ancestors. One of the foods that they rely on is fish such as Halibut, Salmon, and Herring which are dried and eaten like jerky. Berries such as Salmonberries (cloudberries), Black berries (crowberries), and Blueberries (bog bilberries) are also gathered and used to prepare akutaq. Other native foods that are gathered include mousefood, Labrador tea, and greens such as sourdock.
[edit] The People
In the village you will find primarily people of the language group known as Yup'ik. The school in the village is considered a "Yupik first language" school, and students complete their education until third grade in their native language. At this point their education is transitioned into English, however a strong Yup'ik program continues throughout the rest of their education. Aside from the teachers, there are a handful of Kass'aqs (white people), most of whom are teachers.
[edit] Village Buildings
Beside houses, there are only a handful of buildings in the village:
- The Corp Store
- Avugiak's Store
- The Post Office
- The Town Hall/Bingo Hall
- The School
- The Old School (formerly B.I.A. school)
- St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church
- The Power Plant
[edit] Transportation
Transportation into the village of Chefornak occurs primarily by small aircraft, although in the winter the village can be reached by snow machine as well. Goods and mail are brought into the village by plane, and during the summer months are brought up the Kinia River by barge. Chefornak's airport is in the process of being moved further from the village due to concerns with its proximity to the school. The new airstrip has been constructed, but the gravel must settle for several years before the airstrip is usable. Within the village, transportation options include four-wheel, bicycle, snowmachine, and on foot.
[edit] References
- ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
[edit] External links
- Chaputnguak School
- Information about the village, intended for prospective teachers
- Alaska Community Database
- Chefornak, Alaska is at coordinates Coordinates:
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