MERTARVIK, Alaska – Growing up along the banks of the Ninglick River in western Alaska, Ashley Tom would look out of her window after strong storms from the Bering Sea hit her village and notice something unsettling: the riverbank was creeping ever closer.
It was in that home, in the village of Newtok, where Tom’s great-grandmother had taught her to sew and crochet on the sofa, skills she used at school when students crafted headdresses, mittens and baby booties using seal or otter fur. It’s also where her grandmother taught her the intricate art of grass basket weaving and how to speak the Yupik language.
Today, erosion and melting permafrost have just about destroyed Newtok, eating about 70 feet (21.34 meters) of land every year. All that’s left are some dilapidated and largely abandoned gray homes scraped bare of paint by salt darting in on the winds of storms.
“Living with my great-grandmother was all I could remember from Newtok, and it was one of the first houses to be demolished,” said Tom.
In the next few weeks, the last 71 residents will load their possessions onto boats to move to Mertarvik, rejoining 230 residents who began moving away in 2019. They will become one of the first Alaska Native villages to complete a large-scale relocation because of climate change.
Impact of Climate Change on Indigenous Communities
Living in Newtok, Alaska, has been a struggle for many residents as erosion and permafrost melting have taken a toll on their homes and land. The village of Newtok is facing imminent threats due to environmental changes caused by climate change.
A Journey of Relocation
After years of planning, the residents of Newtok are finally making the move to Mertarvik, a new townsite 9 miles away on Nelson Island. This relocation marks a significant shift in the community’s history and an attempt to combat the effects of climate change.
Challenges and Solutions
The process of relocation has been slow and costly, but necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents. With the help of federal funding and community efforts, the move to Mertarvik offers a fresh start and hope for a better future.
Preservation of Culture
Despite the challenges, the people of Newtok are determined to preserve their cultural heritage and traditions in their new home. From drum and dance groups to subsistence hunting, the community in Mertarvik is embracing the changes while holding onto their roots.
Looking Ahead
As the last residents of Newtok settle into Mertarvik, there is a sense of optimism and resilience. The journey of relocation has been tough, but it has brought the community closer together and instilled a sense of unity and purpose for the future.
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