Shishmaref, Alaska

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Shishmaref, Alaska
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto =

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image_

mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Shishmaref, Alaska


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Alaska
subdivision_type2 = Census Area
subdivision_name2 = Nome
government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
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established_date =

area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 18.8
area_land_km2 = 7.2
area_water_km2 = 11.6
area_total_sq_mi = 7.3
area_land_sq_mi = 2.8
area_water_sq_mi = 4.5

population_as_of = 2007
population_footnotes =cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2007-04-02.csv|title=Annual Estimates of the Population for Incorporated Places in Alaska|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=2008-07-10|accessdate=2008-07-14]
population_total = 565
population_density_km2 = 78.0
population_density_sq_mi = 202.0

timezone = Alaska (AKST)
utc_offset = -9
timezone_DST = AKDT
utc_offset_DST = -8
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 5
elevation_ft = 16
latd = 66 |latm = 15 |lats = 20 |latNS = N
longd = 166 |longm = 4 |longs = 20 |longEW = W

postal_code_type =
postal_code =
area_code = 907
GNIS_id = 1409434
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 02-69770
blank1_name =
blank1_info =
website =
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Shishmaref is a village in the Nome Census Area, Alaska, United States, located on Sarichef Island in the Chukchi Sea, just north of the Bering Strait and five miles from the mainland. It lies within the Bering Land Bridge National Reserve. The population was 562 at the 2000 census.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.3 square miles (18.8 km²), of which, 2.8 square miles (7.2 km²) of it is land and 4.5 square miles (11.6 km²) of it (61.62%) is water.

The effect of global climate change upon Shishmaref is sometimes seen as the most dramatic in the world. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3940399.stm] ] Rising temperatures have resulted in a reduction in sea ice, which weakens storm surges before they reach the shore. At the same time, the permafrost that the village is built on has also begun to melt, making the shore even more vulnerable to erosion. In recent years the shore has been receding at an average rate of up to 10 feet (3.3 m) per year. ["Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature, and Climate Change", 2006, ISBN 978-1596911307 ] Despite putting up a series of barricades to protect the village, the shore has continued to erode at an alarming rate. Currently, Shishmaref has obtained funds to construct seawalls that protect some of the shoreline.

The village plans to relocate several miles to the south, on the mainland to the Tin Creek site. The Shishmaref Erosion and Relocation Coalition, made up of the city, the IRA Council and other organizations, is seeking federal, state and private funding for the move.

Shishmaref was named in 1821 by explorer Lt. Otto von Kotzebue, of the Imperial Russian Navy, after Capt. Lt. Gleb Shishmaryov who accompanied him on his exploration.

Culture

Shishmaref is a traditional Inupiaq Eskimo village. Residents rely heavily on a subsistence lifestyle, hunting and gathering much of their food. Primary food sources include sea mammals such as oogruk (bearded seal), other seals and walrus, fish, birds (such as ptarmigan), caribou and moose. The village is well known in the region for its high-quality seal oil and fermented meat.Fact|date=September 2008

Shishmaref is also known for its Native art. Local carvings of whalebone and walrus ivory are sought after by galleries in Alaska and the Lower 48.

Shishmaref was also home to one of Alaska's most-beloved dog mushers. Herbie Nayokpuk, known as the "Shishmaref Cannonball," died in December of 2006. He finished the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race numerous times, including a second-place finish.

Shishmaref is sometimes referred to as "the friendliest village in Alaska."Fact|date=September 2008 Researchers, journalists and the occasional tourist visit Shishmaref, and the city has acquired a reputation for being a gracious host.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 562 people, 142 households, and 110 families residing in the city. The population density was 202.0 people per square mile (78.1/km²). There were 148 housing units at an average density of 53.2/sq mi (20.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 5.34% White, 93.24% Native American (mainly Inupiat), and 1.42% from two or more races. 0.53% (three persons) of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 142 households out of which 52.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.6% were married couples living together, 19.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.5% were non-families. 21.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.96 and the average family size was 4.59.

In the city the population was spread out with 40.9% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 12.6% from 45 to 64, and 5.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females there were 125.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 121.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,714, and the median income for a family was $29,306. Males had a median income of $35,357 versus $25,000 for females. The per capita income for the city was $10,487. About 16.2% of families and 16.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.2% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Shishmaref is served by the Bering Strait School District. Shishmaref School serves grades Pre-K through 12.

References

External links

* [http://www.explorenorth.com/library/communities/alaska/bl-Shishmaref.htm The History of Shishmaref]
* [http://www.arctic.noaa.gov/detect/human-shishmaref.shtml Arctic Change: Village of Shishmaref, North Alaska] , NOAA
* [http://podcast.prx.org/nature/audio/NSP015.mp3 "Moving the Village" - an audio documentary about Shishmaref and Climate Change]
* [http://www.thelastdaysofshishmaref.nl A Dutch multimediaproject in progress on the consequences of climate change to the social life of the villagers]