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Minto
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Location and Climate
History, Culture and Demographics Minto is in the western-most portion of traditional Tanana Athabascan territory. During the late 1800s, some members of the Minto band traveled to Tanana, Rampart and Fort Yukon to trade furs for manufactured goods, tea and flour. With the discovery of gold north of Fairbanks in 1902, steamboats began to navigate the Tanana River, bringing goods and new residents into the area. Old Minto became a permanent settlement when some members of the Minto band built log cabins there, on the bank of the Tanana River. Other families lived in tents on a seasonal basis. A BIA school was established in 1937, but most families still did not live in Minto year-round until the 1950s. The Minto band was eventually joined by families from Nenana, Toklat, Crossjacket and Chena. The village was relocated to its present location, 40 miles north of the old site, in 1969 due to repeated flooding and erosion. The present site had been used as a fall and winter camp since the early 1900s. New housing and a new school were completed by 1971. A federally recognized tribe is located in the community: Native Village of Minto. 92.2% of the population are Alaska Native or part Native. Minto residents are mainly Tanana Athabascans. Several families have seasonal fishing/hunting camps and trapping areas on the Tanana River and Goldstream Creek. The sale or importation of alcohol is banned in the village. During the 2000 U.S. Census, there were 99 total housing units, and 25 of these were vacant. 5 of these vacant housing units are used only seasonally. Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care Water is derived from two wells, is treated, and distributed in a heated circulating water line. Wastes are piped to a sewage lagoon. 52 homes are connected to the piped water and sewer system, and have complete plumbing. The system was completed in 1986, after two systems constructed in the 1970s had failed. The water main froze during the winter of 1999/2000, and the lack of water and heat subsequently caused the sewage system to freeze. Major improvements and repairs are needed. 38 households haul their own water and honeybuckets. Funds have been requested to construct sanitary pit privies for these residents. There is no washeteria available in the village. Minto intends to construct a new landfill with incinerator, and funds have been provided to construct an access road. Funds are needed to develop sanitation facilities at the Old Minto Family Recovery Camp, a 35-day inpatient facility for substance abuse, located at the old village site. Electricity is provided by AVEC. There is one school located in the community, attended by 84 students. Local hospitals or health clinics include Minto Health Clinic. Auxiliary health care is provided by Fairbanks hospitals. Economy and Transportation Most of the year-round employment is with the school, clinic or village council. Many residents work during summers fire fighting for the BLM. Some residents trap or work in the arts and crafts center, making birch-bark baskets and beaded skin and fur items. Subsistence is an important part of the local economy. Most families travel to fish camp each summer. Minto Flats is one of the most popular duck hunting spots in Alaska. Salmon, whitefish, moose, bear, small game, waterfowl and berries are utilized. Minto is accessible by the Elliott Highway, a 118-mile drive to Fairbanks. The Tolovana River allows boat access to the Tanana and Nenana Rivers, but no barge service is available because it is too shallow. A new State-owned 2,000' gravel airstrip is available. It is a local priority to extend the runway length in order to accommodate loaded Twin Otters. Trucks, cars, snowmachines, ATVs and riverboats are used for transportation, recreation and subsistence purposes. Organizations with Local Offices Village
Corporation - Seth-De-Ya-Ah Corporation, P.O. Box 56, Minto,
AK 99758, Phone 907-798-7181, Fax 907-798-7556 Regional Organizations School District
- Yukon/Koyukuk Schools, 4672 Old Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK
99709-4456, Phone 907-474-9400, Fax 907-474-0657, E-mail: kedempster@yksd.schoolzone.net,
Web: http://www.ptialaska.net/~yksd |