Tribal Name: Kuigpagmiut (“People of the Yukon River”)
Tribal Language Group: Central Yup’ik (Yugtun)
Enrollment: 800+
US State Historical Locations: Alaska
Official Website & Social Media
https://cityofemmonak.org/
The Emmonak does not have a traditional nation flag. Instead they use their Corporation logo.
History
The Emmonak people, or Kuigpagmiut, have lived in the Yukon Delta for thousands of years, following the seasonal cycles of salmon and seal. Unlike tribes with fixed ancient stone cities, their history is defined by movement and adaptation to the powerful Yukon River. Originally centered at a village called Kwiguk (“Big Stream”), the community was forced to make a dramatic change in 1964.
Continue Reading
Relatives
Emmonak serves as a regional hub for the Lower Yukon Delta. Their closest relatives are the Yup’ik communities of Alakanuk, Nunam Iqua, and Kotlik. These villages share deep family ties, often traveling by boat in summer or snowmachine in winter to attend each other’s Potlatches and basketball tournaments. They are united by the Yukon River, which provides the King Salmon that sustains them all.
Media Gallery
Tribal Area Map
Resources
1. Official Tribal Resources City of Emmonak: Information: Community history, departments, and local business listings. https://cityofemmonak.org/ Emmonak Corporation: Information: ANCSA land management, tank farm info, and shareholder news. https://emmonakcorporation.com/
2. Regional Governance Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP): Information: Regional non-profit serving the 56 tribes of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. https://www.avcp.org/
3. History & Culture ExploreNorth – History of Emmonak: Information: Detailed account of the move from Kwiguk to Emmonak. https://www.explorenorth.com/library/communities/alaska/bl-Emmonak.htm KYUK (Public Media for the YK Delta): Information: Articles on the Yurarpak (Potlatch) and “The Drums of Winter” legacy. https://www.kyuk.org/
4. Data & Demographics Data USA – Emmonak Profile: Information: Census data on population, economy, and language. https://datausa.io/profile/geo/emmonak-ak
Leave a comment