Alaska Village Electric Cooperative

A non-profit electric utility with the largest service area in the World.

AVEC Facilities

Kiana

(kai-ANN-uh)

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New bulk fuel tank farm

Kiana is located on the north bank of the Kobuk River, 57 air miles east of Kotzebue. Kiana means "a place where three rivers meet." It was established long ago as the central village of the Kobuk River Kowagmiut Inupiat Eskimos. In 1909, it became a supply center for the Squirrel River placer mines. A post office was established in 1915. The City government was incorporated in 1964. Prior to the formation of the Northwest Arctic Borough in 1976, the BIA high school taught students from Noatak, Shungnak and Ambler, who boarded with local residents. Kiana is a traditional Inupiat Eskimo village practicing a subsistence lifestyle. The sale or importation of alcohol is banned in the village. Boats, ATVs and snowmachines are used extensively for local travel, and there are many trucks. A road extends along the river to Kobuk Camp, and a network of old trading trails exists. The chairman of AVEC's board of directors, Charlie Curtis, lives here. Thanks to funding received from the Denali Commission, a new bulk fuel tank farm was built.


Original power plant

Old tank farm, before being upgraded

Scenic view from within the community

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Kiana Facts

Community Profile

Community Facilities

Economy

The economy depends on traditional subsistence activities, augmented by a cash economy. Chum salmon, freshwater fish, moose, caribou, waterfowl and berries are harvested. The school, City, and Maniilaq Association provide the majority of year-round jobs. The Red Dog Mine also offers area employment. Kiana is one of the more modern villages in the Borough, and has three general stores. Two residents hold commercial fishing permits; seasonal employment also includes work on river barges, BLM fire-fighting and jade mining. There is local interest in constructing a whitefish and turbot value-added processing plant. The City is also interested in developing eco-tourism, primarily guided river trips to the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes.

Culture and Activities

The major means of transportation are plane, small boat and snowmachine. The State-owned Bob Baker Memorial Airport has a 3,400' long by 100' wide lighted gravel runway. Daily scheduled flights and charter flights are provided. Crowley Marine Services barges fuel and supplies each summer, and local store owners have large boats to bring supplies upriver.

Climate

Community Weather

overcast   Overcast, 48°F

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