Shishmaref, Alaska facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shishmaref Qigiqtaq  (Inupiaq) Шишмарёв  (Russian)
City
Shishmaref, Alaska Location in Alaska
Country	United States
State	Alaska
Census Area	Nome
Incorporated	July 13, 1969
Area
• Total	7.27 sq mi (18.82 km2)
• Land	2.34 sq mi (6.06 km2)
• Water	4.93 sq mi (12.76 km2)
Elevation	16 ft (5 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	576
• Density	246.26/sq mi (95.08/km2)
Time zone	UTC-9 (Alaska (AKST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-8 (AKDT)
ZIP code	99772
Area code	907
FIPS code	02-69770
GNIS feature ID	1409434, 2418855

Shishmaref is a small city in Alaska, United States. It is located on Sarichef Island in the Chukchi Sea. This area is just north of the Bering Strait and about five miles from the mainland. Shishmaref is part of the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve. In 2020, about 576 people lived there.

What Does the Name Shishmaref Mean?

The name Shishmaref likely comes from a Russian word. It was given in 1821 by explorer Otto von Kotzebue. He named a nearby inlet after Gleb Shishmaryov, who was part of his expedition.

In the local Iñupiaq language, the name for the village is Qigiqtaq. This word means 'island'. The water south of the island is called Qigiqtam Imaġrua, which means 'waters of Qikiqtaq'.

Where is Shishmaref Located?

Shishmaref is on Sarichef Island. This island is part of a long chain of islands that stretches for 100 kilometers (about 62 miles). The city covers about 18.82 square kilometers (7.27 square miles). Most of this area is water. The land part is about 6.06 square kilometers (2.34 square miles).

The island where Shishmaref sits has been changing for about 2000 years. The land here is eroding, which means it is slowly wearing away. This erosion is happening faster in Shishmaref than in other places along the islands. This is partly because of how the village has been built and protected over the years.

How Climate Change Affects Shishmaref

Shishmaref is greatly affected by global climate change. Rising temperatures cause the sea ice to melt. This ice usually protects the village from strong storm surges. Without the ice, the storms hit the shore harder.

Also, the permafrost (ground that is usually frozen all year) under the village is melting. This makes the land even weaker and more likely to erode. The shore has been shrinking by up to 3.3 meters (10 feet) each year. Walls have been built to protect the village, but they haven't stopped the erosion completely. Homes, water systems, and other buildings are at risk.

The people of Shishmaref have been trying to move their village to a safer place. They once planned to move to a spot on the mainland called Tin Creek. However, that area also had melting permafrost, so it wasn't suitable.

Moving the entire village is very expensive. It could cost around $180 million. This is about $320,000 for each person living there. The community is looking for money from the government and other groups to help them move. In 2016, the villagers voted to move the town to the mainland. They prefer to call it an "expansion" rather than a "relocation." A new site, West Tin-Creek Hills, was chosen, but more planning is needed before the move can happen.

What is Life Like in Shishmaref?

Women from the village of Shishmaref, around the 1970s

Shishmaref is sometimes called "the friendliest village in Alaska." People who visit, like researchers and journalists, often say the community is very welcoming.

The people of Shishmaref live a traditional subsistence lifestyle. This means they hunt and gather most of their own food. Their main food sources include sea mammals like bearded seals, other seals, and walrus. They also eat fish, birds like ptarmigan, caribou, and moose. The village is known for its high-quality seal oil and fermented meat.

Shishmaref is also famous for its Native art. Local artists create beautiful sculptures from whalebone and walrus ivory. These artworks are popular in galleries across Alaska and the rest of the United States. George Aden Ahgupuk (1911–2001), a well-known Iñupiaq artist, lived in Shishmaref.

The village was also home to Herbie Nayokpuk (1929–2006). He was a famous dog musher, known as the "Shishmaref Cannonball." He finished the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race many times, even coming in second place once.

Who Lives in Shishmaref?

Shishmaref first appeared in the U.S. Census in 1920. It officially became a city in 1969.

In 2000, there were 562 people living in Shishmaref. Most of the people (over 93%) were Native American, mainly Inupiat. The average household had almost four people. Many households (52.8%) had children under 18 living with them. The median age in the city was 24 years old.

Education in Shishmaref

The Bering Strait School District serves Shishmaref. Shishmaref School is the only school in town. It teaches students from Pre-Kindergarten to 12th grade. There are about 183 students and 33 pre-school children. The school has 19 teachers and is the newest and largest building in the village.

Getting Around Shishmaref

Shishmaref has three main roads: Main Street-Airport Road, Housing Trail, and Clinic Road. These roads are not paved. They have street lights but do not connect to any other towns. People mostly use ATVs (all-terrain vehicles), a few private cars, and dirt motorcycles to get around.

Some residents travel by wooden boats around Sarichef Island. A barge delivers goods and materials to Shishmaref when the water is not frozen.

The Shishmaref Airport is the only way to connect the town to the rest of Alaska. The airport replaced an older one that is now used for housing near the lagoon.

Housing in Shishmaref

Most houses in Shishmaref are pre-made and have only one story. They are usually built from wood boards or sometimes metal. Many homes are often damaged because of the ongoing erosion.

Local Businesses and Services

Businesses

• Shishmaref Native Store
• Nayokpuk General Store
• Washeteria (a place to do laundry)
• Tannery (a place to prepare animal hides)

Services

• Friendship Center
• Bingo Hall (located near Main Street and Clinic Road)
• Shishmaref Lutheran Church and Cemetery
• IRA Building
• Bulk Fuel Tank (owned by the city)

Local healthcare is provided by the Katherine Miksruag Olanna Health Clinic. This clinic is part of the Norton Sound Health Corporation. Health aides offer services like lab work, vaccinations, and treating common health problems. The clinic uses modern technology, including video calls, to help patients. Doctors and specialists also visit the clinic regularly.

The Shishmaref Police Department provides policing services. Fire services are provided by the Shishmaref Volunteer Fire Department.

See also

In Spanish: Shishmaref para niños