FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 03/24/20
Kawerak, Inc. to join Bering Straits Native Corporation as co-managing partners for Unaatuq, LLC, owner of the Pilgrim Hot Springs property
Nome, AK – Kawerak, Inc. has joined Bering Straits Native Corporation as co-managing partner of Unaatuq, LLC, the company that owns the 320-acre Pilgrim Hot Springs property. This summer, Kawerak’s Environmental Program will organize the re-opening of the property to local residents, visitors, and tourist groups. When weather, road, and health conditions are suitable for travel, the resurfacing project for the road leading to the hot springs will be resurfaced and an official re-opening date will be announced.
All visitors will be required to fill out a permit to enter the property. The permit serves as an entrance ticket as well as liability waiver. To help with maintenance of the property and support a sustainable future, an entrance fee for Pilgrim Hot Springs may become a requirement for all visitors. Kawerak will keep the public informed about any fees, visiting information, access requirements, and where to purchase permits.
To ensure smooth and long-term sustainability of the hot springs, Kawerak will hire a full-time general manager and a part-time caretaker to carry out the work identified by the Unaatuq Board of Directors. It will be the general manager’s duty to develop Pilgrim Hot Springs into a sustainable venture and to help create opportunities for the residents of the Bering Strait Region. The two new job descriptions will be posted on Kawerak’s website www.kawerak.org/jobs or on our Facebook Page, @KawerakInc.
The re-opening is planned to be welcome news for local residents and visiting tourists after two years of limited access. In 2018, Unaatuq closed the property to visitors due to safety concerns. In 2019, the property was opened to visitors; however it saw minimal use most likely due to the difficult access road conditions. This summer, dependent on the status of COVID-19, we hope the property can be utilized and enjoyed by residents. Safety and accessibility will be our main priority.
For more information, please contact Amanda Toerdal at Kawerak, Inc. atoerdal@kawerak.org (907) 443-4278.
Unaatuq, LLC. is comprised of seven owner partners in the Bering Strait Region: Council Native Corporation, Mary’s Igloo Native Corporation, White Mountain Native Corporation, Bering Straits Native Corporation, Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation, Sitnasuak Native Corporation and Kawerak, Inc.
Kawerak Inc. acts in accordance with its mission, to advance the capacity of our people and tribes for the benefit of the region. Kawerak is a nonprofit tribal consortium that provides over 40 different programs to the Inupiaq, St. Lawrence Island Yupik and Yupik people who reside in 16 communities of western Alaska and represents the 20 federally recognized tribes in the Bering Strait Region.
