To travel to Nanwalek,
permission must be obtained from the Village Council.
Please
contact the Chief or the Tribal Administrator for more
information at
(907) 281-2274.
Population:
214 (2002)
Nanwalek is located
at the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula, 10
miles southwest of Seldovia and east of Port
Graham. It lies at approximately 59.356390° North
Latitude and -151.92083° West Longitude. (Sec.
35, T009S, R016W, Seward Meridian.) Nanwalek is
located in the Seldovia Recording District. The
area encompasses 8.5 sq. miles of land and 0.0 sq.
miles of water. Winter temperatures range from 14
to 27; summer temperatures vary from 45 to 60.
Average annual precipitation is 24 inches.
The village was originally the
site of a Russian Trading Post called Alexandrovsk.
It was later called "Odinochka," meaning "a person
living in solitude." A Russian Orthodox Church was
built in the community in 1870. In 1930, a
replacement Church was constructed, and it is a
designated national historic site. In 1991, locals
changed the community name of English Bay to
Nanwalek, meaning "place by lagoon." Many of the
current residents are of mixed Russian and Sugpiaq
(Alutiiq) lineage. Villagers speak Sugtestun, a
dialect of Eskimo similar to Yup'ik.
A federally recognized tribe is
located in the community -- the Native Village of
Nanwalek. 93.2% of the population are Alaska
Native or part Native. Nanwalek is a traditional
Alutiiq village. Subsistence activities are a
large part of the culture. The sale of alcohol is
banned in the village, although importing and
possession are allowed.
You can
travel to Nanwalek by boat or small plane, landing
on the beach at low tide.
Nanwalek is not accessible by
road. Boats are the primary means of
transportation locally. The State Ferry provides
service to nearby Seldovia. A State-owned 1,850'
long by 50' wide gravel airstrip is available.
The sale of alcohol is banned in
the village, although importing and possession are
allowed.
Electricity is
provided by Homer Electric Association
