History of Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska
The Northwest Arctic Borough, located in the northwestern part of Alaska, is a region rich in indigenous culture, natural resources, and history. Officially established in 1986, the borough encompasses an area that has been home to the Iñupiat people for thousands of years. The region’s modern development is shaped by its vast mineral resources, particularly the Red Dog Mine, one of the world’s largest zinc mines. Despite its remoteness, the borough plays a critical role in Alaska’s economy and cultural landscape, balancing traditional subsistence practices with modern economic development.
County Facts
- Founded: June 2, 1986
- Population: Approximately 7,800 (as of 2020 Census)
- Area: 40,749 square miles
- Area Code: 907
- ZIP Codes: 99752, 99756, 99758, 99759, 99760, 99762, 99763
- County Seat: Kotzebue
- Major Cities: Kotzebue, Noatak, Kiana, Selawik, Noorvik, Ambler
- Famous Landmarks:
- Kobuk Valley National Park
- Cape Krusenstern National Monument
- Red Dog Mine
- Selawik National Wildlife Refuge
- Onion Portage Archaeological District
Early History of Northwest Arctic Borough (Pre-1800s)
Indigenous Peoples: The Iñupiat
The Northwest Arctic Borough has been home to the Iñupiat people for thousands of years. The Iñupiat have adapted to the region’s harsh Arctic environment, developing a lifestyle based around subsistence hunting, fishing, and gathering. The rivers and coastlines of the borough provided the Iñupiat with fish, seals, and caribou, while they utilized their deep knowledge of the land and sea to survive in one of the world’s most extreme climates.
Iñupiat society was organized around small, semi-permanent villages along the rivers and coast, with trade networks extending into the interior of Alaska and even as far as Siberia. The Iñupiat developed a rich cultural tradition, including the construction of umiaks (open skin boats), dog sleds, and sophisticated hunting tools that allowed them to thrive in the Arctic.
Ancient Trade and the Onion Portage Site
The Onion Portage Archaeological District, located on the Kobuk River, is one of the most important prehistoric sites in Alaska. It contains evidence of human occupation dating back more than 10,000 years, demonstrating the long-standing use of the Kobuk River as a transportation and trade route for indigenous peoples. Onion Portage reveals insights into ancient trade networks, subsistence practices, and the movement of peoples across the Arctic.
European Contact and the Fur Trade (1700s-1867)
Russian Exploration and the Fur Trade (1700s)
Russian explorers were the first Europeans to make contact with the indigenous peoples of Alaska, including those living in the Northwest Arctic region. Russian traders sought valuable furs, particularly sea otters, from the coastal regions of Alaska. However, the Northwest Arctic was not heavily influenced by Russian colonization compared to southern Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. While some fur traders made their way inland, the impact of Russian colonization in the Northwest Arctic remained relatively minor.
American Whalers and Traders (1800s)
In the 19th century, American and European whalers began venturing into the Arctic waters off the coast of the Northwest Arctic. The town of Kotzebue, located on the shores of Kotzebue Sound, became a key location for whaling ships to resupply and engage with indigenous communities. American traders also began to establish trading posts along the coast, exchanging Western goods for furs, whalebone, and other resources.
The introduction of Western goods and diseases had a significant impact on the Iñupiat people, leading to changes in their traditional way of life. However, the Iñupiat adapted to these new influences while maintaining their subsistence-based economy and cultural practices.
The Alaska Purchase and Early American Development (1867-1950)
The Alaska Purchase (1867)
In 1867, the United States purchased Alaska from Russia, bringing the Northwest Arctic under American control. For many years, the region remained remote and largely untouched by American development. The Iñupiat continued to live in small villages along the coast and rivers, relying on traditional subsistence activities to survive.
Early 20th Century: Trade and Subsistence
In the early 20th century, the U.S. government introduced reindeer herding to the region as a way to provide a stable food source and economic opportunity for the indigenous population. The herds were managed by the Iñupiat, and while reindeer herding provided some economic benefits, it never fully replaced traditional hunting and fishing practices.
Post-World War II Era and Economic Development (1950-1980)
Alaska Statehood and Economic Growth (1959)
Alaska achieved statehood in 1959, and the development of natural resources became a key focus for the new state government. The Northwest Arctic region remained largely underdeveloped, with its economy still based primarily on subsistence activities. However, statehood brought new opportunities for infrastructure development, particularly in transportation and communication, which began to open up the region to outside economic interests.
Establishment of the Northwest Arctic Borough (1986)
In 1986, the Northwest Arctic Borough was established, giving the region a formal local government and allowing it to manage its own affairs, including land use, taxation, and public services. The creation of the borough was driven by the need to better manage the region’s natural resources and to provide local control over development projects, particularly in the mining industry.
Modern Development and Challenges (1980-Present)
Discovery of the Red Dog Mine (1980s)
One of the most significant developments in the modern history of the Northwest Arctic Borough was the discovery of the Red Dog Mine, located in the western part of the borough. The mine, which began production in 1989, is one of the largest zinc mines in the world and has been a major driver of economic growth in the region. It is owned by NANA Regional Corporation, an Alaska Native corporation, and operated by Teck Resources, a Canadian mining company.
The Red Dog Mine has provided jobs, infrastructure, and revenue for the borough, while also raising concerns about environmental impacts and the long-term sustainability of mining in the region. The mine’s development highlighted the tensions between economic growth and the need to protect the traditional ways of life and the environment of the Arctic.
Balancing Subsistence and Economic Development
The Northwest Arctic Borough continues to face challenges in balancing economic development with the preservation of traditional subsistence activities. The region’s residents rely on hunting, fishing, and gathering for much of their food, and any disruptions to the local ecosystem can have serious consequences for their way of life. As climate change accelerates in the Arctic, the borough is also dealing with the impacts of warming temperatures, melting permafrost, and shifting animal migration patterns.
Famous Landmarks and Attractions
Kobuk Valley National Park
Kobuk Valley National Park is one of the most remote national parks in the United States, located in the heart of the Northwest Arctic Borough. The park is famous for its large sand dunes, which are unique to the Arctic, and for the annual migration of the Western Arctic Caribou Herd, one of the largest caribou herds in the world. The park also contains important archaeological sites, including Onion Portage, where indigenous peoples have harvested caribou for thousands of years.
Cape Krusenstern National Monument
Cape Krusenstern National Monument, located on the coast of the Chukchi Sea, preserves thousands of years of human history and offers a stunning Arctic landscape of coastal lagoons, beaches, and rolling hills. The monument is known for its archaeological sites, which contain evidence of human habitation dating back more than 5,000 years.
Red Dog Mine
The Red Dog Mine is one of the largest zinc mines in the world and a key economic driver for the Northwest Arctic Borough. While not a tourist destination, the mine is central to the borough’s economy and represents the region’s importance in global mineral production.
Selawik National Wildlife Refuge
Selawik National Wildlife Refuge is located in the southern part of the Northwest Arctic Borough and is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including migratory birds, moose, and caribou. The refuge is also important for subsistence hunting and fishing, providing resources for local communities.
