Communities – Atautchikun

The Northwest Arctic Borough (NAB) encompasses 35,898 square miles of land and 4,864 square miles of water, making it the second largest borough in Alaska. The region has been populated by the Iñupiat people for more than 10,000 years and today has a population of nearly 7,800 residents.

Atautchikun, LLC was established to pursue opportunities and advancements for NANA shareholders and the communities located within the borough, which include the villages of and the unincorporated community of

The regional economy is driven by activities related to government, health care, mining, transportation, construction services and subsistence resources. Red Dog Mine – the largest lead and zinc mine in the world – is the largest tax payer to the Northwest Arctic Borough and accounts for more than a quarter of the region’s salary and payroll.

Northwest Arctic Borough

Communities

Resources

Ambler

Incorporated in 1977, Ambler is located on the north bank of the Kobuk River near the confluence of the Ambler and the Kobuk rivers. It lies 45 miles north of the Arctic Circle and 138 miles northeast of Kotzebue. In 1958, people from Shungnak and Kobuk moved upstream because of the abundance of subsistence resources in the area and permanently settled Ambler.

Population:

274

Median Household Income:

$44,500

Average Household Size:

3.76

Gasoline:

$10.30/gallon

Diesel:

$10.30/gallon

Electricity:

$0.64/kWh

Heating Oil:

$14.42/gallon

*Population data based on 2020 U.S. Census

Community Goals:

Reduce cost of residential water/space heating
Enhance resiliency of residential heating
Enhance reliability of residential fuel access
Enhance resiliency of power system
Develop renewable energy micro grid
Explore regional fuel cooperation
Construct new homes w/ energy efficiencies

Buckland

Incorporated in 1971, the village of Buckland is on the west bank of the Buckland River, residing 75 miles southeast of Kotzebue. The presence of fossils indicates prehistoric occupation of the area, and Its residents have occupied at least five other sites along the river. Buckland is an Iñupiat village within which subsistence plays an important part of the local economy.

Population:

550

Median Household Income:

$4,1932

Average Household Size:

5.02

Gasoline:

$6.15/gallon

Diesel:

$6.15/gallon

Electricity:

$0.47/kWh

Heating Oil:

$7.66/gallon

*Population data based on 2020 U.S. Census

Community Goals:

Reduce cost of residential water/space heating
Enhance reliability of power system
Enhance energy efficiency of water/sewer
Increase operator training for micro grid
Secure and train back-up Operator
Construct new homes w/ energy efficiencies

Deering

Established in 1901 as a supply station for Interior gold mining, Deering is located on a sand and gravel spit in Kotzebue Sound at the mouth of the Inmachuk River. The local economy is a mix of cash and subsistence activities. Residents of the primarily Iñupiat village are interested in developing a craft production facility, cultural training center and eco-tourism opportunities, including a road to Inmachuk Springs.

Population:

182

Median Household Income:

$44,375

Average Household Size:

3.53

Gasoline:

$4.12/gallon

Diesel:

$4.12/gallon

Electricity:

$0.67/kWh

Heating Oil:

$5.20/gallon

*Population data based on 2020 U.S. Census

Community Goals:

Reduce cost of residential water/space heating
Enhance reliability of power system
Feasibility study – addt’l solar PV/Battery storage
Enhance energy efficiency of water/sewer
Increase operator training for micro grid
Construct new homes w/ energy efficiencies

Kiana

Located in the Northwest Arctic Borough 58 miles east of Kotzebue and 30 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Kiana is near the banks of the Kobuk Rivers. Kiana, meaning where three rivers meet, was founded several centuries ago and incorporated in 1964. It has a population today of approximately 450 people with the local high school being the primary employer of local residents.

Population:

447

Median Household Income:

$42,813

Average Household Size:

3.51

Gasoline:

$5.15/gallon

Diesel:

$5.67/gallon

Electricity:

$0.60/kWh

Heating Oil:

$7.73/gallon

*Population data based on 2020 U.S. Census

Community Goals:

Reduce cost of residential water/space heating
Reduce cost of electricity to create comm. garden
Enhance understanding of renewables/benefits
Construct new homes w/ energy efficiencies

Kivalina

The northernmost village in the Northwest Arctic Borough, Kivalina is located between the Chukchi Sea and Kivalina River at the tip of an 8-mile barrier reef. Erosion and wind-driven ice have resulted in plans to relocate the village to a new site 2.5 miles away. Subsistence, including whaling, is an important part of the local economy.

Population:

444

Median Household Income:

$48,750

Average Household Size:

5.4

Gasoline:

$4.61/gallon

Diesel:

$4.20/gallon

Electricity:

$0.57/kWh

Heating Oil:

$6.52/gallon

*Population data based on 2020 U.S. Census

Community Goals:

Focus on village relocation process
Reduce cost of residential water/space heating
Construct new homes w/ energy efficiencies
Upgrade distribution system to improve power quality
Develop renewable energy micro grid
Job Shadow program – student operator training
Plan for power plant to serve new village
Enhance energy efficiency of water/sewer

Kobuk

The smallest village in the borough, Kobuk is located along the Kobuk river. The village was founded in 1899 as a supply point for mining activities. When the village relocated to Shungnak, remaining residents re-named the existing village Kobuk. The local economy is primarily based on subsistence activities.

Population:

191

Median Household Income:

$52,500

Average Household Size:

5.4

Gasoline:

$9.27/gallon

Diesel:

$9.27/gallon

Electricity:

$0.67/kWh

Heating Oil:

$15.45/gallon

*Population data based on 2020 U.S. Census

Community Goals:

Reduce cost of residential water/space heating
Enhance resiliency of residential heating
Update harvest mgt. plan for biomass boiler
Enhance resiliency of backup power system
Explore opportunities for fuel cooperative
Construct new homes w/ energy efficiencies

Kotzebue

The largest village in the borough, Kotzebue is located on the Baldwin Peninsula in Kotzebue Sound, 549 air miles from Anchorage and 26 miles above the Arctic Circle. It is the service and transportation hub for all villages in the northwest region and the transfer point between ocean and inland shipping. Kotzebue has a fairly healthy cash economy, growing private sector and stable public sector. The Iñupiat people have occupied the site for at least 600 years.

Population:

3,102

Median Household Income:

$88,047

Average Household Size:

3.44

Gasoline:

$5.88/gallon

Diesel:

$5.87/gallon

Electricity:

$0.4/kWh

Heating Oil:

$7.57/gallon

*Population data based on 2020 U.S. Census

Community Goals:

Reduce cost of residential water/space heating
Installation of additional battery storage
Optimize diesel genset operation
Maximize energy generation (bifacial solar install)
Organize electricians/mechanics/etc. to serve region
Addt’l wind turbines at Cape Blossom Port
Enhance community resilience

Noatak

Noatak, located 70 miles north of the Arctic Circle and west of the Noatak National Preserve, is the only settlement along the Noatak River. In the early 19th century, Noatak was established as a hunting and fishing camp, and subsistence activities remain central to the culture and economy today.

Population:

570

Median Household Income:

$52,500

Average Household Size:

4.4

Gasoline:

$9.26/gallon

Diesel:

$9.26/gallon

Electricity:

$0.87/kWh

Heating Oil:

$13.77/gallon

*Population data based on 2020 U.S. Census

Community Goals:

Reduce cost of residential water/space heating
Enhance resiliency of residential heating
Mitigate high cost of fuel delivery/frequency
Enhance energy efficiency of water/sewer
Develop renewable energy micro grid
Enhance funding – local AVEC Operator
Construct new homes w/ energy efficiencies

Noorvik

Noorvik, “a place that is moved to”, lies 45 miles east of Kotzebue and downriver from the 1.7 million acre Kobuk Valley National Park on the Kobuk River. Fisherman and hunters from the village of Deering settled Noorvik in the early 1900s. Subsistence is actively practiced and an important part of the local economy.

Population:

694

Median Household Income:

$48,750

Average Household Size:

4.6

Gasoline:

$5.00/gallon

Diesel:

$5.42/gallon

Electricity:

$0.57/kWh

Heating Oil:

$7.73/gallon

*Population data based on 2020 U.S. Census

Community Goals:

Reduce cost of residential water/space heating
Enhance resiliency of residential heating
Develop renewable energy micro grid
Increase operator training for micro grid
Engage youth in community energy system
Construct new homes w/ energy efficiencies

Selawik

Selawik is located at the mouth of the Selawik River approximately 90 miles east of Kotzebue near the Selawik National Wildlife Refuge. Incorporated in 1977, the village spans three riverbanks linked by bridges. Subsistence activities and public services are important parts of the local economy.

Population:

809

Median Household Income:

$35,625

Average Household Size:

4.8

Gasoline:

$6.36/gallon

Diesel:

$5.30/gallon

Electricity:

$0.58/kWh

Heating Oil:

$7.72/gallon

*Population data based on 2020 U.S. Census

Community Goals:

Reduce cost of residential water/space heating
Enhance resiliency of power system
Enhance energy efficiency of water/sewer
Develop renewable energy micro grid
Engage youth in community energy system
Construct new homes w/ energy efficiencies

Shungnak

Located on the west bank of the Kobuk River, Shungnak was originally 10 miles further upstream at Kobuk until river erosion and flooding forced the village to relocate. Issingnak, the Iñupiat word for jade, is found throughout the neighboring hills. An Iñupiat village, subsistence and the Northwest Arctic Borough School District are important components of the Shungnak economy.

Population:

272

Median Household Income:

$40,833

Average Household Size:

5.1

Gasoline:

$8.50/gallon

Diesel:

$8.50/gallon

Electricity:

$0.67/kWh

Heating Oil:

$15.05/gallon

*Population data based on 2020 U.S. Census

Community Goals:

Reduce cost of residential water/space heating
Optimize operation of bifacial solar installation
Enhance energy efficiency of water/sewer
Monitor/adjust Independent Power Producer agreement
Increase operator training for micro grid
Explore opportunities for fuel cooperative
Engage youth in community energy system
Construct new homes w/ energy efficiencies

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info@atautchikun.org (907) 265-3732
909 W 9th Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska 99501

Albie Panikpaiq Dallemolle

VP EDS NANA & Atautchikun President
Albie.Dallemolle@nana.com
(907) 442-8104

Kathleen Ayagiaq Stuckey

Executive Director
Kathleen.Stuckey@nana.com
(907) 265-3731

Sonny Kuukpuk Adams

Director of Energy
Sonny.Adams@nana.com
(907) 265-4185

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