ATQASUK
The Community
Atqasuk is located inland from the Arctic Ocean on the Meade River, about 60 miles southwest of Barrow. Atqasuk has long been established as a hunting and fishing ground. Abandoned sod houses, an old cellar and gravesite near the village provide evidence of an early settlement here.
During W.W.11, coal was mined in the community and freighted to Barrow. During the next 10 years, the village existed under the name of Meade River.
Although the population dwindled in the 1960s, former residents from Barrow moved to the community in the 1970s and re-established the village under the name of Atqasuk. The village was incorporated as a second- class city in 1982.
Population And Economy
In 2003 Atqasuk had a population of about 250 residents and a work force of 72. Inupiat Eskimos comprise approximately 91.4 percent of the population. Atqasuk's economy is largely based on subsistence caribou hunting and fishing. Fish in the Meade River include grayling, burbot, salmon, and whitefish. Local game includes seals, walruses, ptarmigan, ducks and geese.
The North Slope Borough, City and School District employs 57 percent of the working population. Thirty Seven percent of the labor force works for the private sector or corporations. Some residents also produce arts and crafts for sale including masks, mittens, dolls, yo-yos, ulus and parkas.
Quality Of Life
The North Slope Borough provides Atqasuk with public electricity at minimum cost. Eighty five percent of the homes in Atqasuk have water piped to their house and 13 percent still receive their water by truck. Most households have access to running water. The North Slope Borough also provides trash and sewage pick-up services free of charge.
Atqasuk has a police station and a fire station equipped with two fire engines and an ambulance. A health clinic, staffed by community health aides, is open during the day and is available 24 hours a day for emergencies.
The Meade River School offers public education from pre-school to 12 and adult basic education. Communications include phone, mail, public radio, and cable television.
The village corporation, Atqasuk Corporation, owns a grocery and merchandise store which sell groceries, clothing, first-aid supplies, cameras, film and hardware. Propane, gas, diesel and motor oil fuel are also available. Atqasuk bans the sale and importation of alcoholic beverages.
Scheduled daily airline services from Barrow provides passenger and cargo service to Atqasuk.
For more information contact:
City of Atqasuk
P.O. Box 91119
Atqasuk, AK 99791
(907) 633-6811