Nuniaq Tsunami and Community Center
The Alutiiq Tribe of Old Harbor provides service to Tribal members living in and outside of Old Harbor. We provide services under the following departments: Old Harbor Preschool, Environmental Department (Indian General Assistance Program), Indian Child Welfare Act, Tribal Transportation Program, Finance, NAHASDA Housing, Administration, Scholarship Program, Enrollment and the Nuniaq Market. All of our departments serve our local tribal members of Old Harbor Alaska except the ICWA department. The ICWA department serves our Tribal members across the nation.
The Alutiiq Tribe of Old Harbor, Old Harbor Native Corporation and City of Old Harbor all work together to benefit our community members. A new community facility has been a priority for our community for the past 20 years. The proposed project is to construct the Nuniaq Tsunami & Community Center (Nuniaq Center). The Nuniaq Center will consist of a large open gathering area, commercial kitchen, office spaces for tribal staff and youth programs, EOC, a preschool space and storage space. It will be approximately 7,807 square feet. The large open gathering area and commercial kitchen will facilitate meetings, gathering, youth programs, educational training and more. The Tribal offices will include space for the Old Harbor Preschool, Youth Center, Environmental Department (Indian General Assistance Program), Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), Tribal Transportation Program, Finance, NAHASDA Housing, Administration, Scholarship Program, and Enrollment. There will be a designated tribal youth space for an afterschool program and education and extracurricular activities. Additionally, the preschool area will provide for a dedicated space facilitating early childhood education. The facility will meet American with Disabilities Act requirements and allow our Elders and disabled community members to participate in events. The proposed project is listed as a priority in the Community Plan for the Village of Old Harbor.
The current facility utilized for all community gatherings, youth programs and tribal offices is extremely dilapidated and presents health and safety risks for all that enter the building. Because of these risks, our preschool moved into our Senior Center where they currently share the space. Additionally, both buildings are located at sea level and are a tsunami risk. The top floor is used for tribal & community meetings and gatherings, training, regional meetings and more. Because it is located on the second floor, many of our Elders and disabled community members cannot participate in events. Additionally, it is used for youth and community activities and serves as a learning center for various events. There are heating and plumbing concerns (frozen/broken pipes) that have created mold infestations. The facility has very poor energy efficiencies with dilapidated doors and broken windows. The foundation consists of pilings on pilings and are deteriorated. The toilets and kitchen sinks have had many leaks, have poor drainage and back up. The downstairs area of the facility is where all tribal offices are located. There are five offices spaces, two restrooms, utility room and limited storage space. Within the five offices, 9 departments share the space. The limited space produces overcrowded workspace, limited storage capacity, and concerns for confidential correspondence for sensitive issues. The Alutiiq Tribe of Old Harbor and community entities are working with the current facilities in order to provide basic services for its Tribal and community members, but is severely in need of a new facility.
The Old Harbor Native Corporation provides in-kin support for the management of the project and grants as well as a financial contribution to the project.
With the construction of a new 7,807 square foot Nuniaq Center, the Alutiiq Tribe of Old Harbor will be able to offer a Community Center, Preschool, Youth Center and offices spaces to provide for Tribal & healthy community programs and gatherings. In the event of a tsunami or natural disaster, the Nuniaq Center will serve a shelter and has a back up generator and water reserves. The community leadership with operate the Emergency Operating Center (EOC) in the Tsunami Center. The community plans to reserve food supplies in the facility for emergency use. The Nuniaq Center will be instrumental for the overall health and welfare of the native village of Old Harbor.
The Nuniaq Center is currently under construction with contractor, UIC Nappairit, LLC, and is on schedule to be completed in the fall of 2024.
