Kawerak, Inc.

Kawerak, Inc.
Name	Kawerak, Inc.
Formation	1979
Type	Non-profit organization
Headquarters	Nome, Alaska
Region served	Bering Strait Region

Kawerak, Inc. Kawerak, Inc. is a nonprofit regional consortium serving communities in the Bering Strait Region of Alaska. The organization works with tribal governments, regional corporations, federal agencies, and state bodies to deliver services in areas such as health, transportation, cultural preservation, and economic development. Kawerak operates through partnerships with institutions including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Transportation, and regional entities such as the Association of Village Council Presidents.

Overview

Kawerak, Inc. functions as a regional nonprofit that coordinates with tribal councils like the Native Village of Savoonga, Shaktoolik Native Village, and Golovin Tribal Council while engaging with corporations such as Bering Straits Native Corporation and Calista Corporation. The organization administers federally funded programs from agencies including the Indian Health Service, Administration for Native Americans, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Kawerak's service area encompasses communities tied to geographic features and places like the Bering Sea, Diomede Islands, St. Lawrence Island, and Cape Prince of Wales, and it works alongside academic institutions such as the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the University of Alaska Anchorage.

History

Founded in 1979 following regional efforts influenced by legislation such as the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and national movements represented by groups like the National Congress of American Indians, Kawerak grew amid interactions with organizations including the Alaska Federation of Natives and the Institute of Social and Economic Research. Its early projects involved collaborations with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and cultural partners tied to archaeological sites studied by researchers from the Smithsonian Institution and the Alaskan Historical Commission. Over decades Kawerak engaged with federal initiatives like programs administered by the Economic Development Administration and regulatory processes involving the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. Coast Guard.

Governance and Organization

Kawerak is overseen by a board drawn from member communities and tribal entities such as the Brevig Mission, Koyuk, and Teller tribal councils, maintaining relationships with regional nonprofits like Bering Sea Elders and statewide bodies including Alaska Housing Finance Corporation. Its organizational structure includes departments that coordinate with agencies such as the Department of the Interior and advisory relationships with scholars from the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and practitioners from the Rasmuson Foundation. Kawerak's governance practices intersect with legal frameworks shaped by decisions at the Alaska Supreme Court and policy instruments from the U.S. Congress.

Programs and Services

Kawerak administers services that align with federal and state programs administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institutes of Health, and the U.S. Department of Education. Program areas include public health initiatives linked to the Indian Health Service and community resilience projects coordinated with the Federal Highway Administration and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Cultural preservation projects connect to archives and museums like the Sealaska Heritage Institute and the Alutiiq Museum, while workforce development efforts partner with vocational institutions such as Ilisagvik College and employment programs funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. Environmental planning and subsistence protection activities engage with the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve and research entities including the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory.

Economic and Community Impact

Kawerak's activities influence regional development tied to infrastructure projects from the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities and energy initiatives involving companies like Alaska Village Electric Cooperative. Economic programs leverage grants from the Rural Utilities Service and investments similar to those by the U.S. Economic Development Administration to support local enterprises, hunting and fishing economies linked to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, and cultural tourism associated with sites such as Nome Historic District. Its workforce services intersect with regional corporations such as Bering Straits Native Corporation and community organizations like the Nome Community Center.

Partnerships and Funding

Kawerak secures funding and forms partnerships with entities including the Administration for Native Americans, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Environmental Protection Agency, and philanthropic organizations such as the Rasmuson Foundation and the Cook Inlet Tribal Council. Collaborative projects have involved federal partners like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, state agencies like the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and research collaborations with institutions including the University of Washington and the Alaska Native Medical Center. Funding mechanisms frequently reference grant programs from the Economic Development Administration and cooperative agreements with the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Challenges and Criticism

Kawerak has faced challenges common to regional nonprofits operating in remote areas, engaging with logistical constraints related to Bering Sea weather, transportation issues involving the Nome Airport, and funding volatility tied to appropriations in the U.S. Congress. Critics have pointed to debates similar to those involving other regional entities like the Association of Village Council Presidents over program delivery, transparency, and accountability in grant management under federal rules administered by the Office of Management and Budget and audit processes by the Government Accountability Office. Discussions about cultural resource stewardship, subsistence policy, and economic priorities echo broader debates seen in forums such as the Alaska Federation of Natives Annual Convention and policy reviews by the State of Alaska.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in Alaska Category:Bering Strait Region