AVEC Facilities: Gambell

AVEC Facilities

Gambell

(GAM-bull); a.k.a. Sivuqaq

Gambell is located on the northwest cape of St. Lawrence Island, 200 miles southwest of Nome, in the Bering Sea. The City is 36 miles from the Chukotsk Peninsula, Siberia. St. Lawrence Island has been inhabited intermittently for the past 2,000 years by Yup'ik Eskimos. In the 18th and 19th centuries, over 4,000 people inhabited the island in 35 villages. Sivuqaq is the Yup'ik name for the village and for the Island. The City was renamed for Mr. and Mrs. Vene C. Gambell. A tragic famine between 1878 and 1880 decimated the population. In 1900, reindeer were introduced to the island for local use, and in 1903, President Roosevelt established a reindeer reservation. During the 1930s, some residents moved to Savoonga to establish a permanent settlement there. The City was incorporated in 1963. When the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) was passed in 1971, Gambell and Savoonga decided not to participate, and instead opted for title to the 1.136 million acres of land in the former St. Lawrence Island Reserve. The island is jointly owned by Savoonga and Gambell. Gambell has a brand-new, automated power plant with fuel-efficient engines as well as a new bulk fuel tank farm, thanks to funding received from the Denali Commission. Three Northwind 100 wind turbines are being installed and should be operational in late 2009.

New power plant

New bulk fuel tank farm

Original power plant

Original power plant - used to get buried in snow

See more images for Gambell

< PREVIOUS | ↑ BACK TO MAP ↑ | NEXT >

Gambell Facts

Community Profile

Current Population: 643
Federally recognized tribe
Incorporation Type: 2nd Class City
# of Consumers: 205
Total Generating Capacity (kw): 1,120

Community Facilities

Water is derived from wells and Troutman Lake, is treated and stored in tanks.
More than 100 homes are connected to the piped water and sewer system
The schools and washeteria have individual water wells and septic tank systems.
37 homes in the original townsite still haul water and honeybuckets
Electricity is provided by AVEC. A new, automated modular-style power plant was recently completed, as well as a new, jointly-owned bulk fuel tank farm.
One school (Bering Strait School District)
Health clinic - a qualified Emergency Care Center.
Airport � asphalt runway
Lighterage services bring freight from Kotzebue and Shishmaref

Economy

The economy in Gambell is largely based upon subsistence harvests from the sea -- seal, walrus, fish and bowhead and gray whales. Fox are trapped as a secondary source of cash income. Some reindeer roam free on the island, but most harvesting occurs out of Savoonga. Ivory carving is a popular source of income. The abundant number of seabird colonies provide an opportunity for limited tourism by bird-watchers. Gambell's isolated location on an island with no seaport results in heavy dependence upon air transport. Regular flights from Nome and charters from Unalakleet are available.

Culture and Activities

A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Native Village of Gambell. The population of the community consists of 95.8% Alaska Native or part Native. The isolation of Gambell has helped to maintain their traditional St. Lawrence Yup'ik culture, their language, and their subsistence lifestyle based upon marine mammals. Residents are almost completely bilingual. Walrus-hide boats are still used to hunt. The sale, importation or possession of alcohol is banned in the village.

Climate

Current Population: 643
Federally recognized tribe
Incorporation Type: 2nd Class City
# of Consumers: 205
Total Generating Capacity (kw): 1,120

Community Weather

Overcast, 46°F

Alaska Village Electric Cooperative

Main Site Navigation