Yes, it takes a village, but sometimes a village has needs too

A friend sent me the notice. It was headlined, “Looking for families to live in Karluk.”

I wasn’t sure where Karluk was, but it had my attention with the following: “The Karluk Tribal Council is currently looking for two families with three to four children to live in Karluk for a year, with all expenses paid. We would like to have a total of eight children to receive state funding for our local school.”

I’m out of the running for this one on multiple levels. We only have two children and neither are school-age. Even still, I’m almost always ready to go down an up-and-move-somewhere-far-off rabbit hole. 

The information about the possibilities of Karluk went further, adding that for the two families chosen:

• All living expenses will be paid for one year.
• Accommodation in three-bedroom or four-bedroom homes will be provided.
• Employment/job training support will be offered.
• Access to recreational activities like fishing, camping, kayaking, etc. is available.

I needed to know more.

Fortunately, there was a number to call for additional information. Getting through was more challenging than I expected, but that made sense once someone finally answered the phone. 

Turns out, Karluk is a village of 27 people on Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska. A tired and reluctant woman named Catherine spoke with me. With some degree of persuasion, she agreed to answer a few questions. However, from the start, I could tell Catherine was a woman of few words. 

“I never expected it to blow up like this. A lot of people want to do it,” she said. “The only way to get in and out of Karluk is a small airplane. There’s a lot of fishing and hunting. It’s a great place for a person who loves to be outdoors, especially with a family.”

She went on to explain that of the 27 people who currently live in Karluk, only two of them are school-aged. One is 10. The other is 11.

The problem is that the state of Alaska says they need 10 children to have a school. 

“Our community revolves around the school,” the lady in Alaska told me. “That’s the big thing and why we want it to be open.”

I asked how many teachers work at their school.

The answer — zero.

“A couple of teachers have applied to come, with their families,” she said. “That might be one solution — to have a teacher move here.”

I had so many questions, but she needed to tend to other issues at hand, and I felt like this conversation was pushing her to her limit. Even so, I was able to eke out a couple more questions.

“What’s life like there?” I asked.

“Everybody has their day-to-day jobs,” she said. “It’s beautiful. You’re in a safe community here. It’s such a great place for people who enjoy the outdoors.”

She said, remarkably, they’ve already had about 500 people apply to move to Karluk — a number that makes heads spin in a village of 27.

I’ve since learned that Karluk is located on what is thought to be the best sockeye (red) salmon river in the world. The Alutiiq/Sugpiaq village is considered to be its own version of paradise and is adjacent to the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge.

Travel Alaska says that these two cultures, Alutiiq/Sugpiaq, are found in Southwest Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. Prior to the Russians’ arrival in the area during the 18th century, both cultures lived a maritime existence and depended on the sea for survival. Even today, the Russian influence remains, and the Russian Orthodox Church continues to play a role in the lives of locals. (In fact, in the pictures I’ve seen of the tiny village of Karluk, a Russian Orthodox Church is featured prominently.)

The most interesting note that Travel Alaska added to the description of the Alutiiq/Sugpiaq cultures is this: “Communication patterns tended to avoid personal confrontations, following two rules: 1) If you have nothing worthwhile to say about someone or something, say nothing; and 2) If you have nothing to say, say nothing.”

Catherine’s disposition made a lot more sense. 

And yet, in the quest to save the school, her world has exploded with possibility, thanks to the internet and more than 500 families who have applied to live in Karluk.

“We’re only picking two families,” she said, almost apologizing to the hundreds of other families that there just wasn’t room in Karluk for them all. “We only have two houses that are open and furnished for families.”

I asked when did they expect to select the “winning” families. 

“Our tribal chief isn’t in the village right now,” she said. “I expect that we’ll pick after the Fourth of July. We’ll pick whichever families look like they would be the best fit for Karluk.”

I love a village that looks for a solution.

They needed eight more students and it looks like they will get them. Basically, overnight the population of Karluk will increase by 44%. This adventure has all the makings for a documentary. 

I have faith that the chief will pick carefully.

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about the opportunity to live in Karluk, Alaska, email karlukiracouncil@aol.com.