TACIQ
Saint Michael
This traditional Yup’ik & Inupiat village of approximately 450 residents relies heavily on subsistence lifestyle of hunting, fishing, and gathering.
NATIVE VILLAGE ST. MICHAEL IRA COUNCIL
DOCUMENTS & FORMS
Taciq
Taciq, or in English known as Saint Michael is located on the east coast of St. Michael Island in Norton Sound. It lies 125 miles southeast of Nome.
This traditional Yup’ik & Inupiat village of approximately 450 residents relies heavily on subsistence lifestyle of hunting, fishing, and gathering.
A fortified trading post called “Redoubt St. Michael” was built by the Russian-American Company at this location in 1833; it was the northernmost Russian Settlement in Alaska. The Native village of Taciq stood to the northeast. When the Russians left Alaska in 1867, several of the post’s traders remained. “Fort St. Michael”, a U.S. military post, was established in 1867.
During the gold rush of 1897, it was a major gateway to the interior via the Yukon River. As many as 10,000 people were said to reside in Taciq during the gold rush. Taciq was also a popular trading post for locals to trade their goods for Western supplies. Centralization of many Yup’ik people from the surrounding villages intensified after the measles epidemic of 1900 and the influenza epidemic of 1918.
The village remained an important trans-shipment point until the Alaska Railroad was built. The city government was incorporated in 1969.
The population is largely Yup’ik today and many residents are descendants of Russian traders. Seal, beluga whale, reindeer, moose, caribou, fish, wild greens, and berries are important staples.
Healthcare
The community is served by the Katherine L. Kobuk Memorial Clinic under the Norton Sound Health Corporation.
Retail
Residents utilize the local Alaska Commercial Company store for everyday supplies and groceries.
Local governments
Native Village of St. Michael, City of St. Michael, and St. Michael Native Corporation.
Local School
Anthony A. Andrews School under Bering Strait School district serves the school age youth in the community.
Local utilities
ANTHC-ARUC-W/S, Alaska Village Electric Cooperative-Electricity, Vitus-Fuel.
Roads
Local gravel road throughout the community maintained by the City of St. Michael. A road to the neighboring village of Stebbins which is maintained half way by the Native Village of St. Michael. There are no connecting roads to the ‘mainland’.
Airport
State of Alaska owned and maintained. Located 2.5 miles west of the village.
2026 Tribal Council Members
| President | Theresa Kobuk |
| Vice President | Charlene Kobuk |
| Secretary | Autumn Austin |
| Treasurer | Alice Fitka |
| Sergeant at Arms | Pauline Richardson |
| Member | Jessica Acomen |
| Member | Charlie Fitka |
Taciq
Taciq, or in English known as Saint Michael is located on the east coast of St. Michael Island in Norton Sound. It lies 125 miles southeast of Nome.
This traditional Yup’ik & Inupiat village of approximately 450 residents relies heavily on subsistence lifestyle of hunting, fishing, and gathering.
A fortified trading post called “Redoubt St. Michael” was built by the Russian-American Company at this location in 1833; it was the northernmost Russian Settlement in Alaska. The Native village of Taciq stood to the northeast. When the Russians left Alaska in 1867, several of the post’s traders remained. “Fort St. Michael”, a U.S. military post, was established in 1867.
During the gold rush of 1897, it was a major gateway to the interior via the Yukon River. As many as 10,000 people were said to reside in Taciq during the gold rush. Taciq was also a popular trading post for locals to trade their goods for Western supplies. Centralization of many Yup’ik people from the surrounding villages intensified after the measles epidemic of 1900 and the influenza epidemic of 1918.
The village remained an important trans-shipment point until the Alaska Railroad was built. The city government was incorporated in 1969.
The population is largely Yup’ik today and many residents are descendants of Russian traders. Seal, beluga whale, reindeer, moose, caribou, fish, wild greens, and berries are important staples.
Healthcare
The community is served by the Katherine L. Kobuk Memorial Clinic under the Norton Sound Health Corporation.
Retail
Residents utilize the local Alaska Commercial Company store for everyday supplies and groceries.
Local governments
Native Village of St. Michael, City of St. Michael, and St. Michael Native Corporation.
Local School
Anthony A. Andrews School under Bering Strait School district serves the school age youth in the community.
Local utilities
ANTHC-ARUC-W/S, Alaska Village Electric Cooperative-Electricity, Vitus-Fuel.
Roads
Local gravel road throughout the community maintained by the City of St. Michael. A road to the neighboring village of Stebbins which is maintained half way by the Native Village of St. Michael. There are no connecting roads to the ‘mainland’.
Airport
State of Alaska owned and maintained. Located 2.5 miles west of the village.
2026 Tribal Council Members
| President | Theresa Kobuk |
| Vice President | Charlene Kobuk |
| Secretary | Autumn Austin |
| Treasurer | Alice Fitka |
| Sergeant at Arms | Pauline Richardson |
| Member | Jessica Acomen |
| Member | Charlie Fitka |