Shaktoolik, Alaska

Shaktoolik Saqtuliq
City
Shaktoolik Location in Alaska
Coordinates: 64°21′20″N 161°11′29″W / 64.35556°N 161.19139°W / 64.35556; -161.19139Coordinates: 64°21′20″N 161°11′29″W / 64.35556°N 161.19139°W / 64.35556; -161.19139
Country	United States
State	Alaska
Census Area	Nome
Incorporated	October 7, 1969[1]
Government
• Mayor	Eugene Asicksick[2]
Area
• Total	1.1 sq mi (2.7 km2)
• Land	1.1 sq mi (2.7 km2)
• Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation	23 ft (7 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	251
• Density	230/sq mi (93/km2)
Time zone	Alaska (AKST) (UTC-9)
• Summer (DST)	AKDT (UTC-8)
ZIP code	99771
Area code	907
FIPS code	02-68890

Shaktoolik (Saqtuliq in Iñupiaq) is a city in Nome Census Area, Alaska, United States. At the 2010 census the population was 251. Shaktoolik is one of a number of Alaskan communities threatened by erosion and related global warming effects.^[3] The community has been relocated twice.

History

According to the Alaska Dept. of Community and Economic Development, Shaktoolik was the first and southernmost Malemiut settlement on Norton Sound, occupied as early as 1839. Twelve miles northwest, on Cape Denbigh, is "Iyatayet", a site that is 6,000 to 8,000 years old, and listed on the national register of historic places. Shaktoolik was first mapped in 1842-44 by Lt. Lavrenty Zagoskin, Imperial Russian Navy, who called it "Tshaktogmyut." "Shaktoolik" is derived from an Unaliq word, "suktuliq", meaning "scattered things".

Reindeer herds were managed in the Shaktoolik area around 1905. The village was originally located six miles up the Shaktoolik River, and moved to the mouth of the River in 1933. This site was prone to severe storms and winds, however, and the village relocated to its present, more sheltered location in 1967. There are presently only two occupied dwellings at the old townsite. The City was incorporated in 1969.

Geography

Shaktoolik is located at 64°21′20″N 161°11′29″W / 64.355612°N 161.191328°W / 64.355612; -161.191328.^[4]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²), all of it land.

According to the State of Alaska, Department of Community and Economic Development, Shaktoolik is located on the east shore of Norton Sound. It lies 125 miles east of Nome and 33 miles north of Unalakleet. It lies at approximately 64.333890° North Latitude and -161.153890° West Longitude. (Sec. 23, T013S, R013W, Kateel River Meridian.) Shaktoolik has a subarctic climate with maritime influences when Norton Sound is ice-free, usually from May to October. Summer temperatures average 47 to 62; winter temperatures average -4 to 11. Extremes from -50 to 87 have been recorded. Average annual precipitation is 14 inches, including 43 inches of snowfall.

Demographics

The current population of Shaktoolik is between 214-240 (2006 DCCED Certified Population). As of the census^[5] of 2000, there were 230 people, 60 households, and 48 families residing in the city. The population density was 216.7 people per square mile (83.8/km²). There were 66 housing units at an average density of 62.2 per square mile (24.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 5.22% White, 94.35% Native American, and 0.43% from two or more races.

There were 60 households out of which 53.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.0% were non-families. 16.7% 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 3.83 and the average family size was 4.42.

In the city the age distribution of the population shows 39.1% under the age of 18, 12.2% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 16.5% from 45 to 64, and 6.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females there were 123.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 122.2 males.

The Shaktoolik economy is based on subsistence, with some part-time wage earnings. Cash jobs include commercial fishing and jobs with the City and the school. Reindeer herding also provides income and meat. Fish, crab, moose, beluga whale, caribou, seal, rabbit, geese, cranes, ducks, ptarmigan, (including these eggs) berries, greens, and roots are also primary subsistence food sources.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,875, and the median income for a family was $35,000. Males had a median income of $30,313 versus $37,917 for females. The per capita income for the city was $10,491. None of the families and 6.1% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 18.8% of those over 64.

Education

Shaktoolik is served by the Bering Strait School District. Shaktoolik School serves grades pre-K through 12. During the school year the student of Shaktoolik have an opportunity to join sports. In the late fall there is cross country running, wrestling and volleyball. The “main” sport student’s join is basketball. That is played throughout the early winter months. Then near the end of the school year there is a sport called Native Youth Olympics (NYO). All the students that join the sports are called a team. The team travels to many different places in the Bering Strait School District (BSSD). Thanks to the BSSD the students are able to meet new people and have a wonderful time.

Notable people

Educator and writer Ticasuk Brown was born in Unalakleet and wrote it about it extensively in her autobiography. Her father was one of the co-founders of the village.^[6][7]

References

v t e Municipalities and communities of Nome Census Area, Alaska, United States Cities Brevig Mission Diomede Elim Gambell Golovin Koyuk Nome St. Michael Savoonga Shaktoolik Shishmaref Stebbins Teller Unalakleet Wales White Mountain CDP Port Clarence Unincorporated community Solomon Ghost towns Council Dickson King Island Mary's Igloo Tin City York