Where in the World is Kalskag?

Kalskag is a remote Bush Village in the interior of Alaska (meaning there are no roads to Kalskag). One must fly into Aniak (larger village) and take a second 15 minute flight or a 60 minute boat ride (snow machine in the winter) down the Kuskokwim River to reach the village.

Location

Kalskag is west of Anchorage about 500 miles.  It is located 100 miles northeast of the “hub village” of Bethel and about 40 miles west of Aniak.  It is located on the Kuskokwim River that runs east/west through the middle of Alaska.  The village is nestled on the edge of the hills and has trees and mountains.  The vast Alaskan tundra (open flat land with many lakes/rivers) is west toward Bethel.  Kalskag is in a beautiful setting.

The Two Villages

There are two different villages.  Kalskag and Lower Kalskag are 3 miles apart and connected by a dirt road.  Each is a different Yup’ik tribe, having separate tribal councils (leaders), post offices, and religions.  Kalskag is mainly Catholic and Lower Kalskag is Russian Orthodox.  Both Villages speak Yup’ik and English.

Population

Kalskag = 231   90% Yupik Eskimo
Lower Kalskag = 281   90% Yupik Eskimo
Apx 500 in both villages.  About 220 are children/students under 18.