This article focuses on the role of customary knowledge, practice and cultural continuation associated with oral histories of Faroe Islands. Four thematic areas are analyzed– pilot whale hunting, household and artisanal fisheries, pollutants, and social practices. The research builds on a 20-year engagement with over 20 knowledge-holders to explore what elements of customary law may continue to the present using oral history, participant observations, field trips and community workshops as methods. Additionally, novel and important observations of marine and environmental change are reported. Whaling has a significance for the community in the Faroe Islands through the meaning individuals have associated with it. The article provides evidence that the continued practices are linked to traditional Scandinavian customary practices that have persisted through adaptation and change continued to present day.

The Role of Customary and Traditional Knowledge and Law Practices in the North Atlantic: Oral Histories from the Faroe Islands

Three StoryMaps resources have been added from the coasts of Sápmi in Norway to the Arctic Seas. They describe work in Porsanger Fjord, Indigenous Knowledge as a basis of coastal and marine impact assessments and management and lastly the Indigenous Salmon Rivers of the Future as seen by Sámi in Deatnu. 

See maps and below for an example.

Three New Indigenous Coastal Resources Added

Welcome to the Unalakleet Climate Events Database, which presents over 20 years of research materials, oral histories and Indigenous views on climate change affecting Unalakleet and Norton Sound, Alaska. 

This collection of oral histories, observations, scientific data and knowledge has been created with the express permission and collaboration of Unalakleet co-researchers. It offers a critical reading of the current state of climate change impacts in the region in general, and through the lens of two keystone species, Pacific salmon and caribou, which are explored in detail as indicators of change.

The Bering Sea is the northernmost part of the Pacific Ocean, separating the continents of Asia and North America. To the north the Bering Sea connects with the Arctic Ocean through the Bering Strait.
In the 2019 Acrtic Report card, Indigenous Peoples from the Bering Sea area described the sea as "the world’s richest sea".
The Bering Sea hosts more than 300 species of fish, including   salmon , herring, cod,  flounder , halibut, and pollack. Bering Sea islands are breeding grounds for the  fur seal  and the  sea otter and   northern areas are inhabited by  walrus , seal, and  sea lion . Several whale species, notably gray whales, migrate to Bering waters to feed during the summer. 
The Bering Sea is home to over 70 Indigenous communities of the Iñupiat, Central Yup’ik, Cup’ik, St. Lawrence Island Yupik, Unangan, and Chukchi Peoples, who have traditionally interacted with and relied upon the Bering Sea for their physical, cultural and spiritual health. 
 Unalakleet is a village located in Norton Sound at the mouth of the Unalakleet River in Alaska, USA. 

The regional coordinators and Snowchange worked over 5 years with several community Workshops and guidance from the Elders to compile this StoryMap.


Unalakleet Indigenous Knowledge Database Released

She is also a wilderness guide and a professional seafarer, with a decade of experience in the Arctic, mainly Iceland and Greenland and Antarctica.

She has been working since 2011 in various international coastal and marine management projects in the Baltic, North Sea, the Arctic and the Indian Ocean, on themes varying from eutrophication, Marine Spatial Planning to invasive species, hazardous cargoes and effects of shipping and noise to marine mammals.

Lately she has been working with interaction, communication and coordination of freshwater and coastal research projects focusing on mapping & measurement technology in the boreal region.

Annukka, New Marine Expert Joins the Team

Tahltan researchers from Tu'dese'cho Wholistic Indigenous Leadership Development and the Snowchange Cooperative present a new database of Tahltan observations of climate, ecological and cultural change in the Canadian sub-Arctic.

Drawing on oral histories from Tahltan elders, as well as Tahltan science, self-documented videos and photos, the database is a vital effort to centre on-the-land, lived experiences of climatic change in efforts to tackle climate change in the Arctic and sub-Arctic.

The database discusses critically important knowledge from the Stikine River basin and the Alaskan and British Columbian maritime histories.

Tahltan Events Database Released

EU Horizon Project “Arctic Passion” and Snowchange have worked with hundreds of Indigenous and local knowledge holders since 2021 to prepare these Event Databases across the North. The communities want to share their knowledge of the changing Arctic. Additional support was received from Oceans Wide Small-Grants Programme of Snowchange.

(Arctic Passion -related communities are marked as RED on the LEFT hand side of the navigational window. If you click there, only AP communities become visible.)

Many past environmental events that Arctic societies have lived through remain largely unknown to contemporary scientific study. We have developed a living database that can be added to and expanded to cover the whole region.

With a respectful engagement with Arctic co-researchers community- embedded IK-LK has the potential to transform and provide a more complete view of the past environmental change, enhance present monitoring activities, and to build trust between local and scientific communities. Indigenous staff was positioned as key co-researchers who also own all their knowledge. Free, prior and informed consent was implemented in each action. 

Released today, these Event Databases serve as unique repositories of climate and ecological change. They also translate observations from local languages into English and present contemporary weather and ecological monitoring and use of cultural indicators, visual and oral histories and other means to establish baselines of change. Event Databases also reconstruct key events and offer historic depth to many changes at present. 

Central node for all Databases is the Arctic Seas portal. Below each community Database can be accessed directly. Some of the communities will join the wider whole during the summer so the Arctic Seas portal will be updated through the season.
The Skolt Sámi Event Database focuses on discovery of microplastics both in the Näätämö river basin, region’s lakes and the Neiden Fjord. Accompanying this are the first-ever Skolt Sámi ethnobotanical overviews and drone documentations of melting palsa permafrost sites. A science paper summarizes the key findings of the interplay between Indigenous knowledge and science.

Gwich’in knowledge has been curated over the past three years with knowledge holders and experts of oral history. Presenting accounts starting from the Myth Time all the way to 2000s the Gwich’in home area is highlighted both in photos and in oral history. Drawing on hundreds of hours of expert testimony from Gwich’in elders, the database is a vital effort to centre on-the-land, lived experiences of climatic change in efforts to tackle climate change.

Hunters, fishers and researchers from the PISUNA Project and the Snowchange Cooperative present a new database of Inuit observations of climate, ecological and cultural change in western Greenland. Drawing on oral histories, self-documented videos and photos, and a decades-long Indigenous observation programme, the database is a vital effort to centre on-the-land, lived experiences of climatic change in efforts to tackle climate change in Greenland and the Arctic more broadly. The site also contains important reflections on Greenlandic history and collaboration with scientists.
Faroese sheep farmers, fishers, bird hunters, researchers and the Snowchange Cooperative present a new database of observations of climate, ecological and cultural change in the Faroe Islands. 

Drawing on oral histories gathered over a twenty-year periond (2003-2023), photos and detailed hunting and fishing data, the database is a vital effort to centre on-the-land, lived experiences of climatic change in efforts to tackle climate change in the Faroe Islands and the Arctic more broadly. Whilst Faroese people are not Indigenous there is a wealth of knowledge and a large cultural heritage on the islands that was an important component of the Arctic Passion.

Several Indigenous knowledge holders and nomadic communities were a part of the Arctic Passion and Snowchange partnership until the War of 2022. They managed to work for a bit less than a year. At the outset of the War we exchanged with all teams and the unifying decision was made that the people involved wanted to share their work, knowledge and findings. In order to achieve this aim we present these materials as instructed by the communities:

Khanty researchers and the Snowchange Cooperative present a new database of Khanty observations of climate, ecological and cultural change in the Siberian taiga and tundra spanning centuries. Drawing on 15 oral histories from Khanty elders, as well as self-documented videos and photos, the database is a vital effort to centre on-the-land, lived experiences of climatic change in efforts to tackle climate change in the Eurasian North.

Herders, fishers and researchers from the Kola Peninsula and the Snowchange Cooperative present a new database of observations of climate, ecological and cultural change in southern Kola and the Ponoi River. 

Chukchi and Yukaghir researchers and the Snowchange Cooperative showcase observations of climate, ecological and cultural change in the Kolyma River bain, NE Siberia. 

Unalakleet, Alaska and Dease Lake in Canada will report their findings during the Summer 2024. 

They will be made available at Arctic Seas Portal.

Major Indigenous Arctic Knowledge Hub Released Today

Summer surface air temperatures during 2023 were the warmest ever observed in the Arctic, while the highest point on Greenland’s ice sheet experienced melting for only the fifth time in the 34-year record. 

Overall, it was the Arctic’s sixth-warmest year on record. Sea ice extent continued to decline, with the last 17 Septembers now registering as the lowest on record. These records followed two years when unprecedented high abundance of sockeye salmon in western Alaska’s Bristol Bay contrasted with record-low Chinook and chum salmon that led to fishery closures on the Yukon River and other Bering Sea tributaries. 

“The overriding message from this year’s report card is that the time for action is now,” said Rick Spinrad, Ph.D., NOAA administrator. “NOAA and our federal partners have ramped up our support and collaboration with state, tribal and local communities to help build climate resilience. At the same time, we as a nation and global community must dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions that are driving these changes.”

Over the last two decades, the Finnish nonprofit Snowchange Cooperative has restored dozens of sites, positively influencing 128,000 acres (52,000 hectares) of peatlands and forest damaged by decades of industrial harvesting and forest management.

The restoration demonstrates a globally relevant climate solution that increases carbon storage, preventing greenhouse gas emissions from entering the atmosphere. The restored peatlands are also restoring water quality and bringing back fish and birds, a vital food source and draw for ecotourism.

The annual Arctic Report Card, now in its 18th year, is the work of 82 authors from 13 countries. It includes a section titled Vital Signs, that updates eight measures of physical and biological changes, four chapters on emerging issues and a special report on the 2023 summer of extreme wildfires.

2023 ends with a Snowchange collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Global understanding of climate change has developed strongly in the last decades, particularly (and unfortunately) as observable impacts of climate change have increased. However, climate mitigation and adaptation efforts have not progressed at the level or scale that one might expect given this growing knowledge of climate change. A major obstacle to mitigation and adaptation is getting people to understand and relate to climate change – and be able to develop the attitudes and behaviours to take action. Our paper highlights that more effective approaches to engage people on climate change effects are urgently needed. We show that human values, trust networks, and place attachment are critical elements in developing effective and inclusive engagement on climate change.

We place our focus on ‘species-on-the-move’. Plant and animal species around the world are already shifting their distributions in response to climate change. These species-on-the-move impact ecosystem structure and function, food security, human health, livelihoods, culture and even the climate itself through feedbacks to the climate system.

In our paper, we outline how species-on-the-move also present an opportunity to engage people with climate change – specifically, by linking to human values, and connections with the places in which we live, in locally relevant yet globally coherent ways. We highlight how species-on-the-move offer emotional pathways for people to connect with the complex issue of climate change in profound ways that have the potential to engender interest and climate action.

SKOLT SÁMI REWILDING WORK FEATURED IN A SCIENCE ARTICLE

The book explores the ecology and notions of the self-capacity of the fishers to order their landscapes and respond to the shifting realities on the islands. 

In the 2010s, strict nature protection increased external governance to the islands. The book concludes with the latest solution spaces for revitalization of this unique biocultural landscape.

Authors include Juhani Mellanoura, a biologist and TEK expert as well as Tero and Kaisu Mustonen from Snowchange.

Large Marine Use and Occupancy and Traditional Knowledge Book About Oura Released

Following invited talks at the IPR last year, a final report featuring several Snowchange issues and knowledge holders, such as Elder Stanton Katchatag from Unalakleet and Indigenous Alaskan author Herbert O. Anungazuk as well as several other keynote statements is now available.

'Our oceans: a deep dive': A collection of insights and perspectives on the state of our oceans, building on a major Institute for Policy Research (IPR) events series

Inchoun (Russian: Инчоун, Chukchi: И’нчувин,[9] Yupik: Инсиг’вик[9]) is a rural locality (a selo) in Chukotsky District of Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia.

It is located on the shores of the Chukchi Sea, about 25 kilometers (16 mi) west of Uelen. Population: 387 (2010 Census);

Municipally Inchoun is subordinated to Chukotsky Municipal District and is incorporated as Inchoun Rural Settlement.

Russian language

Chukchi language

Chukchi Sea

Uelen

Russian Census (2010)

Yupik language

Types of inhabited localities in Russia

Village

Chukotsky District

Chukotka Autonomous Okrug

Russia

И’нчувин

The Khatanga Gulf or Khatanga Bay (Russian: Хатангский залив) is a large tidal estuary in the Laptev Sea. It is relatively narrow, its length being 220 kilometres (140 mi) with a maximum width of 54 kilometres (34 mi, as per wikipedia).

The Bolshoy Begichev Island divides the gulf into two straits: Northern Strait (13 kilometres (8.1 mi) wide) and Eastern Strait (8 kilometres (5.0 mi) wide). The maximum depth of the gulf is 29 metres (95 ft). 

The Khatanga River flows out into the Khatanga Gulf. The shores of the gulf are high, steep, and indented. The tides are semidiurnal reaching up to 1.4 metres (4 ft 7 in). The Khatanga Gulf is covered with ice most of the year.

The shores of the Khatanga Bay are generally raised, consisting of low tundra cliffs, as well as sandstone and mudstone cliffs and sedimentation areas.

Since the administrative border cuts across this area, the northern and western parts of the Khatanga Bay belong to the Krasnoyarsk Krai, while its southeastern side belongs to the Sakha administrative region of the Russian Federation.

The former settlement and penal colony of Nordvik was located by a north-facing bay on the Eastern Strait of the Khatanga Gulf known as Bukhta Nordvik.

The Bay is the easternmost of the traditional areas of the Indigenous Nganasans. The Nganasans first referred to themselves in Russian as Samoyeds, but they would also often use this term when referring to the Enets people and instead refer to themselves as “Avam people.” 

For the Nganasans, the term signified ngano-nganasana, which means “real people” in the Nganasan language, and referred to both themselves and the neighboring Madu Enets. 

However, in their own language, the Avam Nganasans refer to themselves as nya-tansa, which translates as “comrade tribe,” whereas the Vadeyev Nganasans to the East prefer to refer to themselves as a'sa which means “brother,” but also Evenk or Dolgan. The Nganasans were also formerly called Tavgi Samoyeds or Tavgis initially by the Russians, which derives from the word tavgy in the Nenets language.

Estuary

Gulag

Nordvik (Laptev Sea)

Nordvik Bay

Samoyedic peoples

Nganasan language

Enets people

Evenks

Dolgan

Nenets language

Laptev Sea

Bolshoy Begichev Island

Strait

Khatanga River

Tide

Krasnoyarsk Krai

Sakha Republic

Russian Federation

bay.jpg

A coast of the bay. Wikipedia commons

183152_web.jpg

Geographical location of the Ural-speaking populations. Kristiina Tambets et al., used with permission

Khatanga Gulf

Platinum (Central Yupik: Arviiq) is a city in Bethel Census Area, Alaska, United States. The population was 61 at the 2010 census, up from 41 in 2000.

Central Yupik language

Bethel Census Area, Alaska

2010 United States Census

Arviiq

Bering Strait is the narrowest point between the North American and Eurasian continents.

Here, a number of maps explain the region and its features.

beringia 20000 ENG.jpeg

Beringia 20000 years ago

Beringia basic ENG.jpeg

Beringia as a region in history 

beringia seafloor ENG.jpeg

Beringia sea floor topography 

dry coastal tundra.jpeg

Siberian dry coastal tundra 10,000 years ago

permafrost ENG.jpeg

An overview map of permafrost in the Arctic.

Bering Strait

Selawik (/ˈsɛləwɪk/) (Iñupiaq: Siiḷivik or Akuliġaq; Russian: Селавик) is a city in Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska, United States. At the 2010 census the population was 829, up from 772 in 2000.

Selawik comes from siiḷivik, which means "place of sheefish" in Inupiaq.

Help:IPA/English

Inupiat language

Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska

Sheefish

Inupiaq language

Siiḷivik

St. Lawrence Island is a critically-important home of the Yupiaq peoples and has two communities, Savoonga and Gambell. Walrus and other marine mammals are central to the food security. Climate change has affected the marine mammal harvests in recent years, especially for walrus. 

Wfm_st_lawrence_island.jpg

Satellite view of the island. Wikipedia (2021)

White_Alice_site_St_Lawrence_Island.jpg

White Alice Military Installation on St Lawrence Island. Wikipedia 2021

Gambell 013.JPG

Meat rack on the island. (c) Henry Huntington

Savoonga 173.JPG

Auklets in a rookery.  (c) Henry Huntington

St Lawrence Island 050.JPG

Savoonga and a view on the island.  (c) Henry Huntington

St Lawrence Island 063.JPG

Fish net out in the ocean.  (c) Henry Huntington

St Lawrence Island 568.JPG

Cabin out on the land.  (c) Henry Huntington

St. Lawrence Island

The White Sea, the youngest sea in Europe, has a peculiar oceanographic regime with cold, deep water formation in the Gorlo strait. The Gorlo area is characterized by strong tidal currents creating high turbulence and mixing the water column down to the seabed (Timonov, 1925; Naumov and Fedyakov 1991; Pantyulin 2003; Kosobokova et al., 2004). It spreads cold water to the south and fills the deep areas 
of the entire White Sea and retains sub-zero temperatures all year round (Timonov, 1950; Pantyulin, 2003; Kosobokova et al., 2004). These specific conditions form a biotic boundary that limits dispersal of fauna from outside the area into the White Sea (Derjugin, 1928; Naumov, 2006; Solyanko et al., 2011). 

Deep areas filled with cold water provide habitats for pelagic and benthic biota, while upper layers and shallow areas host typical boreal fauna and macrophyte flora (i.e., kelp and seagrass) (Derjugin, 1928; Berger and Naumov, 2001; Naumov, 2001). In certain areas, the number of macrobenthic species exceeds 460 (Spiridonov et al., 2012), while number of phytoplankton species in the White Sea exceeds 440 (Ilyash et al., 2013). The White Sea harbours two endemic subspecies of fish, migration routes of Atlantic salmon and their abundant stocks (Studenov, 1991, 2011). 

Bays and islands of the White sea provide breeding habitats for 17 species of aquatic birds (Semashko et al., 2012) and serve as nesting areas of common eiders (Somateria molissima). This area overlaps with the East Atlantic flyway and thus has huge importance as a migration corridor and staging area (Lehikoinen et al., 2006). The polynyas that develop in winter are important wintering grounds for several seabird species (Krasnov et al., 2010, 2011). With regards to marine mammals, the White Sea contains important feeding, whelping and moulting areas of harp seals (Pagophilus groenladicus) (Melentyev and Chernook, 2009; Svetochev and Svetocheva, 2011) and extremely important mating grounds of beluga whales (Delphinapterus beluga) (Svetochev and Sveticheva, 2011).

Whiteseamap.jpg

Map of White Sea from 1635. Wikipedia commons

Traditional Fishery on the White Sea

White Sea

Qeqertarsuatsiaat, formerly Fiskernæs or Fiskenæsset, is a settlement in the Sermersooqmunicipality in southwestern Greenland, located on an island off the shores of Labrador Sea. Its population was 169 in 2020.

Sermersooq

Municipalities of Greenland

Greenland

Labrador Sea

Qeqertarsuatsiaat

kk.jpg

Arctic Passion Kolyma Event Database

Arctic Passion - related community

Arctic Passion Kolyma

Chuathbaluk (Central Yupik: Curarpalek) is a city in Bethel Census Area, Alaska, United States.

At the 2010 census the population was 118, down from 119 in 2000.

Alaska

Curarpalek

Egvekinot (Russian: Эгвекино́т; Chukchi: Эрвыӄыннот, lit. sharp, hard land) is an urban locality (an urban-type settlement) and the administrative center of Iultinsky District in Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia. Population: 2,790 (2010 Census); 2,413 (2002 Census); 5,478 (1989 Census).

Soviet Census (1989)

Urban-type settlement

Administrative center

Iultinsky District

Russian Census (2002)

Эрвыӄыннот

Nunapitchuk /nuːnəˈpɪtʃək/ (Central Yupik: Nunapicuar) is a city in Bethel Census Area, Alaska, United States. At the 2010 census the population was 496, up from 466 in 2000.

Nunapicuar

Mekoryuk (Nunivak Cup'ig: Mikuryarmiut; Central Yup'ik: Mikuryar) is a city located on Nunivak Island in the Bethel Census Area, Alaska, United States. At the 2010 census the population was 191, down from 210 in 2000.

Nunivak Cup'ig language

Central Yup'ik language

Nunivak Island

Mikuryar

Kangaamiut, formerly known as Gammel Sukkertoppen, is a settlement with a population of 293 (2020[1]) in the Qeqqata municipality in central-western Greenland.

Qeqqata

Kangaamiut

Noorvik (Inupiaq: Nuurvik, meaning "A place to move to") is an Iñupiat city in the Northwest Arctic Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city was 668, up from 634 in 2000. 

Located in the NANA Region Corp, Noorvik has close ties with the largest city in the region, Kotzebue. Residents speak a dialect of Iñupiaq known as Noorvik Inupiaq. Noorvik was the first town to be counted in the 2010 census.

Inupiat people

United States Census, 2010

Kotzebue

Nuurvik

Aappilattoq (old spelling: Augpilagtoq) is a village in the Kujalleq municipality in southern Greenland. The name means "red", after the red mountain rising above the settlement in the Greenlandic language. The settlement had 100 inhabitants in 2020.

The area of Aappilattoq has been inhabited since the 19th century, but the present-day village was founded in 1922.

The main occupations and sources of income are hunting and fishing.

Kujalleq

Greenlandic language

King Cove (Aleut: Agdaaĝux̂; Russian: Кинг-Коув) is a city in Aleutians East Borough, Alaska, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 938. This was up from 792 in 2000. The 2018 estimate was 1065.

King Cove is located on the south side of the Alaska Peninsula, on a sand spit fronting Deer Passage and Deer Island. It is 18 miles southeast of Cold Bay and 625 miles southwest of Anchorage. It lies at approximately 55d 03m N Latitude, 162d 19m W Longitude. (Sec. 22, T059S, R086W, Seward Meridian). King Cove is located in the Aleutian Islands Recording District. The area encompasses 25.3 sq. miles of land and 4.5 sq. miles of water.

King Cove was founded in 1911 when Pacific American Fisheries built a salmon cannery. Early settlers were Scandinavian, European and Unangan fishermen. Of the first ten founding families, five consisted of a European father and an Aleut mother. The City was incorporated in 1949. The cannery operated continuously between 1911and 1976, when it was partially destroyed by fire. The adoption of the 200-mile fisheries limit spurred rebuilding. King Cove remains tied to fishing and fish processing.

Scandinavians have historically influenced the cultural, economic and social structures. King Cove is a mixed non-Native and Unangan community.

King Cove’s economy depends almost completely on the year-round commercial fishing and seafood processing industries. The Peter Pan facility is one of the largest cannery operations under one roof in Alaska. Up to 500 non-residents are brought up to work in the cannery as needed. 62 residents hold commercial fishing permits. In 2000, the estimated gross fishing earnings of residents exceeded $6.2 million. Income is supplemented by subsistence activities. Salmon, caribou, geese and ptarmigan provide food sources.

Water is supplied by Ram Creek with a sheetpile dam which stores about 980,000 gallons of unfiltered water. A $9 million project to develop a new supply is nearing completion – a well field at Delta Creek and storage tank. All residents are connected to the piped water system. A piped sewage collection system connects all homes and facilities to central septic tanks. Two lift stations and tanks provide primary (20,000 gallons) and secondary treatment (84,000 gallons) of waste, with discharge through an outfall line. All homes are fully plumbed. The City collects garbage twice a week. Aluminum is recycled. The landfill is nearing capacity. A hydroelectric power project has recently been completed at Delta Creek. Peter Pan operates its own electric system.

King Cove is accessible only by air and sea. A State-owned 3,360 foot gravel runway is available. Gale force crosswinds are common, as the airport lies in a valley between two volcanic peaks. A local priority is to construct a 27-mile road to Cold Bay, through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, to access their airport. The $14 million road has drawn state and national controversy. The State Ferry operates bi-monthly between May and October. The ferry and marine cargo services use one of three docks owned by Peter Pan Seafoods. A deep water dock is also operated by the City. The North Harbor provides moorage for 90 boats, and is ice-free all year. A new harbor and breakwater is under construction by the Corps of Engineers and Aleutians East Borough. Upon completion, the new Babe Newman Harbor will be operated by the City, and will provide additional moorage for 60′ to 150′ fishing vessels.

King Cove lies in the maritime climate zone. Temperatures average 25 to 55, with extremes from -9 to 76. Snowfall averages 52 inches, and total annual precipitation is 33 inches. Fog during summer, and high winds during winter, can limit accessibility.

Aleut language

Aleutians East Borough, Alaska

King Cove_APIA archives.jpg

King Cove. APIA archives, Used with Permission

Agdaaĝux̂

False Pass (Aleut: Isanax̂) is a city on Unimak Island, in the Aleutians East Borough of southwestern Alaska, United States. The population was 35 at the 2010 census, down from 64 in 2000. The 2018 estimate is 49.

False Pass is located on the eastern shore of Unimak Island on a strait connecting the Pacific Gulf of Alaska to the Bering Sea. It is 646 air miles southwest of Anchorage. It lies at approximately 54d 51m N Latitude, 163d 24m W Longitude. (Sec. 34, T061S, R094W, Seward Meridian). False Pass is located in the Aleutian Islands Recording District. The area encompasses 26.9 sq. miles of land and 41.4 sq. miles of water.

The name False Pass is derived from the fact that the Bering Sea side of the strait is extremely shallow and cannot accommodate large vessels. The area was originally settled by a homesteader in the early 1900s, and grew with the establishment of a cannery in 1917. Natives immigrated from Morzhovoi, Sanak Island and Ikatan when the cannery was built. A post office was established in 1921. The cannery has operated continuously, except for 1973 – 1976, when two hard winters depleted the fish resources. The cannery was subsequently purchased by Peter Pan Seafoods. It was destroyed by fire in 1984, and was not rebuilt. The City was incorporated in 1990.

The community is primarily Unangan. Fishing, fish processing and subsistence activities are the mainstays of the lifestyle.

The local economy is driven by commercial salmon fishing and fishing services. False Pass is an important refueling stop for Bristol Bay and Bering Sea fishing fleets. 11 residents hold commercial fishing permits. The Peter Pan Seafoods plant burned down in 1984. A floating processor from Homer, The Dipper, began processing salt cod in January 2000 for the Norwegian company Aleutian Quality Seafoods. Bering Pacific Seafoods opened in June 2000. Cash income is supplemented by subsistence hunting and fishing. Salmon, halibut, geese, caribou, seals and wild cattle on Sanak Island are utilized.

Water is derived from a nearby spring and reservoir, is treated and stored in a 60,000-gallon tank. Most homes are connected to the piped water system. Almost 80% of homes are fully plumbed. Many residents have individual septic tanks; wastewater from seafood processing flows directly into an outfall line. The City collects refuse twice a week. There are no recycling programs available. Water system improvements and a new landfill are needed.

Boats and aircraft provide the only means of transportation into False Pass. A state-owned 2,100 foot gravel airstrip and a seaplane base are available. Mail and passenger flights arrive three times weekly. There is no boat harbor, but new dock facilities and a boat ramp were recently completed. A boat haul-out and storage facility are under construction. Protected moorage is needed; the Borough has proposed a $13 million small boat harbor, which may begin construction in 2003. The Corps of Engineers are designing the facility. Cargo barges are available from Seattle. No local taxi or delivery services exist in False Pass. The State Ferry operates bi-monthly from Kodiak between May and October.

False Pass lies in the maritime climate zone. Temperatures range from 11 to 55. snowfall averages 56 inches, with total annual precipitation of 33 inches. Prevailing southeast winds are constant and often strong during winter. Fog is common during summer months.

Unimak Island

False Pass_APIA archives.jpg

False Pass, APIA archives, Used with Permission

False Pass_Delores Kochuten_APIA archives.jpg

False Pass, Delores Kochuten. APIA archives, Used with Permission

Isanax̂

Bordered to the west by the Laptev Sea, the East Siberian Sea extends east to the coastal waters of Chukotka and the Chukchi Sea. The northern regions of the East Siberian Sea including feeding and migration areas for walrus, ringed seals, beluga, and bowhead whales (AMAP 2013). 

The Kolyma River empties into the East Siberian Sea, and the delta provides important habitat for migratory birds including waterfowl and shorebirds.

The Kolyma River, watershed and the coastal estuary are home to diverse fish species. To the east along the Chukotkan coast several bays, including Chaun Bay, contain especially high biodiversity for this region, containing rare biological communities including kelp and mussel beds (EBSA). These bays and marshes are important moulting and nesting areas for shorebirds and waterfowl.

Changing sea ice and river ice conditions are of concern due to the sensitivity of ecosystems here to changes in ice. The East Siberian Sea has lost nearly 90% of September sea ice compared with a 1979-1989 average (Stroeve et al., 2018).

The coasts of the East Siberian Sea are being used by the Chukchi, Even, Dolgan, Yukaghir and Sakha peoples.

AMAP/CAFF/SDWG, 2013. Identification of Arctic marine areas of heightened ecological and cultural significance: Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment (AMSA). Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP), Oslo

Stroeve, J. and D. Notz (2018) Changing state of Arctic sea ice across all seasons. Environ. Res. Lett. 13. 103001