(SLEET-myoot)
Location and Climate
Sleetmute is located on the east bank of the Kuskokwim River,
1.5 miles north of its junction with the Holitna River. It lies 79 miles
east of Aniak, 166 miles northeast of Bethel, and 243 miles west of
Anchorage. The community lies at approximately 61.702500 degrees North
Latitude and -157.169720 degrees West Longitude. (Sec. 25, T019N, R044W,
Seward Meridian.) Sleetmute is located in the Kuskokwim Recording
District. The area encompasses 99.5 square miles of land and 5.8 square
miles of water. The climate in Sleetmute is continental with
temperatures ranging from -58 to 90. Snowfall averages 85 inches, with
total precipitation of 22 inches per year. High winds often cause flight
delays in the fall and winter. The Kuskokwim is ice-free from mid-June
through October.
History, Culture and Demographics
Sleetmute was founded by Ingalik Indians. The name means
“whetstone people,” referring to the slate deposits found nearby. The
village has also been known as Sikmiut, Steelmut and Steitmute. In the
early 1830s a group of Russians built a trading post at the Holitna
River junction 1.5 miles away, but it was relocated far downriver in
1841. Frederick Bishop started a trading post at Sleetmute in 1906. A
school opened in 1921, followed by a post office in 1923. A Russian
Orthodox Church was constructed in 1931 known as the Saints Peter and
Paul Mission. Sleetmute Traditional Council is a federally recognized
tribe located in the community. According to the 2010 Census, the
population of the community consists of 86 people, with 76.74 percent of
the population Alaska Native, or part Native. Sleetmute is an Ingalik
Indian village, and subsistence activities contribute substantially to
local diets. During the 2000 U.S. Census, total housing units numbered
51 and vacant housing units numbered 18. Vacant housing units used only
seasonally numbered 2. U.S. Census data for Year 2000 showed 21
residents as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 27.59
percent, although 59.62 percent of all adults were not in the work
force. The median household income was $15,000, per capita income was
$8,150, and 57.69 percent of residents were living below the poverty
level.
Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care
A central well with treated water and several individual wells
are used in the community. Water is pumped by hand to fill gravity
storage tanks at each house. Privies, honeybuckets and seepage pits are
used by 27 homes. Eleven homes and the school use individual septic
systems and are completely plumbed. A master plan has been completed to
design alternative water, sewer and refuse systems. There is a landfill
site southeast of the airstrip. In December 2001, a fire destroyed the
building with the laundromat, clinic, offices and meeting hall, and
satellite dish. A new washteria is under construction. Electricity is
provided by Middle Kuskokwim Electric Cooperative. There is one school
located in the community, attended by 17 students. Local hospitals or
health clinics include Sleetmute Clinic (907-449-4222) and Clara Morgan
Sub-Regional Clinic (907-675-4556) in Aniak. Sleetmute is classified as
an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 7A in the Yukon Kuskokwim
Region. Emergency services, provided by a health aide, have river and
air access.
Current Population: 94 (2017 DCCED Certified Population)
Incorporation Type: Unincorporated
Borough Located In: Unorganized
Taxes: No taxing authority
Contact Information
Sleetmute Traditional Council
P.O. Box 109
Sleetmute, AK 99668
Phone: 907-449-4263
Fax: 907-449-4265
