Rural & Bush Alaska
RSSRural & Bush Alaska covers life in the state's roadless and off-grid villages, reached only by air, water or snow machine. It takes in fuel and energy costs, rural health funding, school staffing, water and sewer infrastructure, and food security in these communities.
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Frame from "Tanana Chiefs Conference: TCC 2026 Fall Summit - Day One General Session" · Photo source
After 120 days at 40 below, Rampart's tribal council outfitted every household, chief says
Rampart's tribal council bought chainsaws, shovels, chest freezers and water buckets for every household after the village spent 120 straight days at 40 below or colder last winter, Chief Dawn Newman said Thursday in her keynote at the Tanana Chiefs Conference Fall Summit in Fairbanks.
Most winters bring a few days near zero, warm enough for people to cut more firewood, Newman said. Last winter did not, and families were running out. Statewide, Alaska ran below normal for seven straight months through June, its longest such streak since the mid-1970s.
Moose hunting was poor, too. Only a couple of Rampart families have taken a moose in the last few years, Newman said. The council bought meat boxes from a Wasilla meat company, helped with firewood and fuel and sells heating fuel and gasoline to tribal members at cost. It bought a complete Thanksgiving meal for every household.
With the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, the council installed wells, plumbing and sewer boxes in most Rampart homes, Newman said. Some homes could not reach the water table, and the council delivers water to them free of charge. The village washeteria has frozen for long stretches in recent years, forcing residents to haul water from the creek, so the council is funding a refurbishment with newer equipment.
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Stories on what’s next
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November 2026
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October 2026
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More from Rural & Bush Alaska
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About Rural & Bush Alaska
Rural and Bush Alaska takes in life in the state's roadless and off grid villages, reached only by air, water or snow machine. It covers fuel and energy costs, health care, water and sewer systems, transportation and food security in these communities.
Diesel fuel delivered by barge powers and heats many villages, and tribes and utilities pursue hydro, solar and batteries to cut that cost. Rural health funding under the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, federally subsidized air service, mobile coverage and water system repairs are questions that recur.
Tribal governments, regional health organizations, the University of Alaska Fairbanks and state and federal agencies all fund or run services in these communities. Members of Congress propose programs aimed at rural shortages, such as maternity care and the credentials of health workers trained abroad.
More from Rural & Bush Alaska
September 2026
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Alaska's mobile service through 2034 gets locked in next week
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Alaska plans nearly $126 million for rural health projects, its biggest round yet
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