Alatna Allakaket

Alatna & Allakaket

The community of Alatna, Alaska is situated on the north bank of the Koyukuk river, with Allakaket on the south bank across the river- both southwest of the Koyukuk's confluence with the Alatna River. These two towns are almost 200 miles northwest of Fairbanks, and a little less than 60 miles upriver from Hughes. While located across the river from the City of Allakaket, Alatna is officially within Allakaket's municipal boundaries. Neither community is on the "road system", but winter trails connect the area to Hughes, Bettles, Tanana, and points beyond. The record high temperature for the area was 94°F, and the low, -75°F.

The people of the Alatna & Allakaket area include Koyukon Athabascans as well as Kobuk, Selawik, and Nunamiut Eskimos from the north and northwest. Historically, the Koyukon lived a semi-nomadic life, moving camps as the seasons changed in order to follow the migrations of fish and game. During the 1850's, the various familial bands of the Koyukon merged into more settled communities. The original townsite of "Alatna" was a traditional trading center for both Athabascans and Eskimos. There, an Episcopal mission was established in 1906, and a post office was opened in 1925. The name of the community was changed to Allakaket in 1938, and the name Alatna was assumed by the small Kobuk Eskimo community across the river. The first public school was established in 1957. In the Spring of 1964, flooding caused by ice jams engulfed most of the community. 30 years later, the same thing happened, destroying most of the community buildings, residences, and food caches, forcing residents to evacuate to other towns for the winter. These days, the towns are re-established at the old sites, after rebuilding the infrastructure of homes and businesses. In 1975, Allakaket incorporated as a City, including both settlements of Allakaket and Alatna. A clinic and airport were built in 1978. In 1979, a new school and community roads were built. While infrastructure improvements continue, like many rural Alaskan communities, none of the residences in the area have indoor plumbing at this time.

The Alatna and Allakaket economy is predominately based upon the local subsistence lifestyle of fishing, hunting, and trapping. Many cash-economy jobs (such as construction and fire-fighting) are part-time or seasonal, with the primary year-round jobs provided by the school, City, Tribe, and village corporation store.

Bertha Moses speaking at Galena Conference

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