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Savoonga

(suh-VOON-guh)

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Aerial View

Savoonga is located on the northern coast of St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea, 164 miles west of Nome. It lies 39 miles southeast of Gambell. St. Lawrence Island has been inhabited intermittently for the past 2,000 years by Yup'ik Eskimos. The island had numerous villages with a total population of around 4,000 by the 19th century. A tragic famine occurred on the island in 1878-80, severely reducing the population. In 1900 a herd of reindeer was moved to the island, and by 1917 the herd had grown to over 10,000 animals. A reindeer camp was established in 1916 at the present village site, where grazing lands were better, and the herd tended to remain. Good hunting and trapping in the area attracted more residents. A post office was established in 1934. The City was incorporated in 1969. 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. Thanks to funding assistance received from the Denali Commission, the community of Savoonga now has a new, automated power plant with fuel-efficient engines and a new jointly-owned bulk fuel tank farm. In summer 2008, two wind turbines were installed and they became fully operational in November  2008. Before and after photos of the power plant and tank farm are shown below.  


Original power plant


Original bulk fuel tank farm


New power plant

New bulk fuel tank farm

 

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Savoonga Facts

Community Profile

Community Facilities

Economy

The economy of Savoonga is largely based upon subsistence hunting of walrus, seal, fish and bowhead and gray whale, with some cash income. Eight residents hold commercial fishing permits, and Norton Sound Seafood Products operates in Savoonga. Reindeer harvests occur, but the herd is not managed. Fox are trapped as a secondary source of income. Islanders are known for their high-quality ivory carvings. Some tourism occurs by bird-watchers.

Culture and Activities

A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Native Village of Savoonga. It is a traditional St. Lawrence Yup'ik village with a subsistence lifestyle surrounding walrus and whale hunting. Savoonga is hailed as the "Walrus Capital of the World." Whale, seal, walrus and reindeer comprise 80% of islander's diets. Due to the island's isolation, most residents are bilingual -- Siberian Yup'ik is still the first language. Islanders today have successfully mixed the past with the present. The sale, importation and possession of alcohol are banned in the village. Savoonga's isolated location with no seaport and iced-in conditions during the winter means a dependence on air transport.

Climate

Community Weather

broken clouds   Broken clouds, 46°F

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