Ninilchik
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Ninilchik is a village on the west coast of the Kenai Peninsula, 100 air miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska.
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History
Origin
The first people who would permanently stay in the village moved there from Kodiak Island in 1847, before the Alaska Purchase. They were a Russian, Grigorii Kvasnikov (Anglicized to Kvasnikoff), and his Russian-Alutiiq wife from Kodiak Island, Mavra, and their children.
The word "Ninilchik" may mean "a lodge by the river" (http://www.geocities.com/agrafenas_children/) in the Dena'ina tongue.
Ninilchik Natives
The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act recognized Ninilchik as a Native village, which led to the formation of the Ninilchik Native Association Incorporated and eventually to the further recognition, by the US Congress, that Ninilchik's descendants comprised a quasi-sovereign government (equivalent to American Indian tribes), thereby establishing the Ninilchik Traditional Council (NTC) as the governing body for Alaskan Natives who live in the area surrounding Ninilchik or who descended from the original inhabitants.
Ninilchik Today
Community
The original village is located at the mouth of the Ninilchik River, just before a small harbor. The name "Ninilchik" is used, however, to refer to the community that has grown up around the village, in some cases being several miles north, east, or south of the village itself. Ninilchik as a town is not yet incorporated, so it remains under the jurisdiction of the Kenai Peninsula Borough (KPB). Volunteer groups, the NTC, the State of Alaska, and the KPB carry out most of the governmental functions in the area, like fire-fighting (volunteer), highway snow-removal (state), health services (NTC), and primary and secondary schooling (KPB).
Attractions
Ninilchik is a popular tourist attraction. The beautiful Russian Orthodox Church, built in 1901, is still standing and continues to hold services for its members. Other attractions in the area are salmon fishing, typically now either with commercial guides or private commercial family operations, either along the beach north of Ninilchik River or in Cook Inlet whose waters touch the beach next to the village. Halibut can also be caught in Cook Inlet close to Ninilchik. Razor clams[1] (http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/pubs/notebook/shellfsh/razrclam.php) are popular for digging on the beaches near Ninilchik, when the tides are low enough.
External links
About the place
- Ninilchik Alaska - Kenai Peninsula (http://www.kenaipeninsula.com/1_Ninilchik_Alaska.html)
- Ninilchik State Recreation Area, Alaska (http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/units/nilchik.htm)
About the people
- Ninilchik Traditional Council (http://www.ninilchiktribe-nsn.gov)
- Ninilchik Native Association Incorporated (http://www.nnai.net)
- Agrafena's Children's Website (http://www.geocities.com/agrafenas_children/)
- Peninsula Clarion Article (http://peninsulaclarion.com/stories/061102/new_0611020004.shtml)
- Ninilchik Native Descendants (http://ninvil.tripod.com/)
- Cook Inlet Regional Incorporated Newsletter (http://www.ciri.com/newsletter/Jan-Feb-2003/03history.html)