Kwik'Pak communities

Kotlik

With a population of 577, Kotlik is located on the east bank of the Kotlik Slough, 35 miles northeast of Emmonak in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. It lies 165 air miles northwest of Bethel and 460 miles from Anchorage. The climate of Kotlik is subarctic. Temperatures range between -50 and 87 °F. Annually, there is an average of 60 inches of snowfall and a total of 16 inches of precipitation. High winds and poor visibility are common during fall and winter. Norton Sound and the Yukon are ice-free from mid-June through October.

The community grew during the mid-1960s when a BIA school was constructed at Kotlik, and residents of the nearby villages of Channiliut, Hamilton, Bill Moore's Slough, and Pastolaik relocated. Due to its location with easy access by large riverboats and barges, Kotlik became one of the larger ports and commercial centers of the lower Yukon River. Many residents are descendants of Russian traders that settled in the area surrounding Saint Michael after 1867. The city was incorporated in 1970. It is a Yup'ik Eskimo village practicing a fishing, trapping, and subsistence lifestyle. Kotlik has a seasonal economy. Fishing and fish processing are the primary income generators. Currently, 79 residents hold commercial fishing permits, and 26 residents hold fresh water fish permits provided by Kwikpak Fisheries.

Kotlik's residents rely heavily on subsistence foods, and many families have fish camps on the Yukon River. Salmon, moose, beluga whale, and seal are harvested. Income is also derived from trapping. Air transportation of passengers, cargo, and mail is provided via the state-owned 4,422' long by 100' wide gravel airstrip. There is no road access, although Kotlik is easily accessible by barge. Residents use the river for commercial and private travel.

COMMUNITY HISTORY

Alaska Commercial Company-Kotlik, Alaska
In 1776, Catherine the Great gave trading rights to the Russian American Company and operated trading posts throughout Alaska. When the United States bought Alaska in 1867, the company’s name was changed to the Alaska Commercial Company and was the general provider of groceries and merchandise to trappers, explorers and gold seekers. These village posts became the center of most communities, serving as the community hall, post office, court room, marriage parlor, funeral home and a safe haven for travelers. When the gold rush ended and the gold seekers started leaving, the number of Alaska Commercial Company stores decline rapidly. The company was sold and renamed to the Northern Commercial Company and became a major supplier for heavy equipment and machinery throughout rural Alaska. In 1977, the company was sold again to the Community Enterprise Development Corporation of Alaska (CDEC) and these 11 store branches formed the basis for the AC stores today; however, in 1992, the North West Company bought the Alaska Commercial Company and combined they made the largest rural retailer in North America. The Kotlik AC Store was established in 1910 and ended up being one of the larger ports after the residents from Chaniliak, Bill Moore’s Slough, Hamilton, and Pastolik moved there. “Alaska Commercial Company is proud to support organizations that enrich our communities. Core values and AC’s commitment to support Youth and Elders, Healthy Living and Education, Sports and Recreation, and Environment in the communities we serve gives back to building trust with our customers to promote healthy living and a better quality of life across Alaska” writes Alan McCollor, the Stores Training Specialist. Kotlik is getting a new 4800 sq. ft. store to better serve the community.