What is kiwalik alaska?

Kivalina is a small Iñupiat Eskimo village located on a barrier island in the Northwest Arctic Borough of Alaska. It is situated on the Chukchi Sea coast, about 80 miles northwest of Kotzebue. The village is home to approximately 400 residents, who rely on subsistence hunting and fishing for their livelihood.

Kivalina faces significant challenges due to its remote location and vulnerability to erosion and changing weather patterns caused by climate change. The village is at risk of being washed away by rising sea levels and severe storms, prompting discussions about relocating the community to a safer location.

The village is accessible only by air and by sea, with a small gravel airstrip serving as the primary mode of transportation. Residents rely on snowmobiles, ATVs, and boats for travel within the village and to nearby hunting and fishing grounds.

Kivalina has a strong cultural heritage and is known for its traditional Iñupiat practices, such as whaling and seal hunting. The village is also home to a school, health clinic, and a few stores that provide essential goods and services to the community.

Overall, Kivalina is a tight-knit community that values its traditional way of life while also grappling with the challenges of modernization and climate change.