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Venetie
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Location and
Climate
History,
Culture and Demographics Known to early
explorers as Old Robert's Village or Chandalar Village, Venetie
was founded in 1895 by a man named Old Robert who chose Venetie
because of its plentiful fish and game. In 1899, the U.S.
Geological Survey noted about 50 Natives living on the Chandalar,
some in small settlements of cabins about 7 miles above the mouth
of the River, but most in the mountainous part of the country
beyond the Yukon Flats. He noted that the Natives spent only the
coldest winter months in cabins and the remainder of the year
traveling for various food sources. In 1905, Venetie was a
settlement of a half a dozen cabins and 25 or 30 residents. The
gold rush to the Chandalar region in 1906-07 brought a large
number of miners. A mining camp of nearly 40 cabins and attendant
services was established at Caro upriver from Venetie, and another
store was located near the mouth of the East Fork. By 1910, the
Chandalar was largely played out and Caro almost completely
abandoned. In 1943, the Venetie Indian Reservation was
established, due to the combined efforts of the residents of
Venetie, Arctic Village, Christian Village and Robert's Fish Camp,
who worked together to protect their land for subsistence use. At
about this same time, a school was established at Venetie,
encouraging additional families to settle in the village.
Eventually an airstrip, post office and store were built. During
the 1950s and 60s, the use of seasonal camps declined, but the
advent of the snowmachine enabled Venetie residents to renew use
of areas which had traditionally been occupied seasonally. When
the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) was passed in
1971, Venetie and Arctic Village opted for title to the 1.8
million acres of land in the former Reservation, which they own as
tenants in common through the Native Village of Venetie Tribal
Government. A federally recognized tribe is
located in the community: Native Village of Venetie Tribal Govt.;
Venetie Village Council (not recognized). 96.5% of the population
are Alaska Native or part Native. Venetie is comprised
largely of descendants of the Neets'ai Gwich'in, and to a lesser
extent the Gwichyaa and Dihaii Gwich'in. The village council is
combined with Arctic Village. Subsistence activities are an
important part of the local culture. During the 2000 U.S. Census, there
were 79 total housing units, and 16 of these were vacant. 8 of
these vacant housing units are used only seasonally. Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care Water is derived
from a well near the Chandalar River, then is treated and stored
in a tank. Residents haul water and honeybuckets. A circulating
water utilidor system and 49 households service connections were
constructed in 1980, however, the east loop froze in 1981 and the
west loop in 1982. 29 individual household septic tanks were
installed in 1980, and also froze during their first winter of
operation. Major infrastructure improvements are currently
underway to construct a flush/haul system in Venetie. The Sanley
Frank Washeteria and Water Treatment Plant were recently
completed. It uses a small solar power system to provide some
electricity. A Master Plan is underway. Funds have been requested
to relocate the landfill and construct an access road. Electricity is provided by Venetie
Village Electric. There is one school located in the
community, attended by 44 students. Local hospitals or health clinics
include Myra Roberts Clinic. Auxiliary health care is provided by
flight to Fort Yukon or Fairbanks. Economy
and Transportation Venetie is heavily
dependent on subsistence. Salmon, whitefish, moose, caribou, bear,
waterfowl and small game provide meat sources. Most employment is
through the school, clinic, post office, store and village
council. The National Guard has used Venetie as a cold weather
survival training school. BLM employs residents as fire fighters
seasonally. The village is interested in developing a small mill
to process local lumber for housing and other projects, and in
tourism promotion. Cabins manufactured from local logs could house
visitors, developing arts and crafts activities, cultural
activities and a museum. Access to Venetie is almost
exclusively by air. The Venetie Tribal Council owns and operates
the 4,100' dirt/gravel airstrip. The Chandalar River provides
access by boat from May to October, but there is no barge service,
due to shallow water. Motor bikes, 4-wheelers, snowmobiles and dog
teams are used for local travel. Organizations
with Local Offices Village Council
- Venetie Tribal Government, P.O. Box 99, Venetie, AK 99781, Phone
907-849-8165, Fax 907-849-8513 Regional
Organizations School District
- Yukon Flats Schools, P.O. Box 359, Fort Yukon, AK 99740-0359,
Phone 907-662-2515, Fax 907-662-3095, E-mail: csheive@szftyukon.ftyukon.yfsd.schoolzone.net,
Web: http://www.yukonflats.net |