THE VILLAGE

St. Lawrence Island has been inhabited intermittently for the past 2,000 years by the Yup'ik. In the 18th and 19th centuries, over 4,000 people inhabited the island in 35 villages. Sivuqaq is the Yup'ik name for the village and for the island. The city was renamed for Mr. and Mrs. Vene C. Gambell, missionaries to the town. A tragic famine between 1878 and 1880 decimated the population. In 1900, reindeer were introduced to the island for local use, and in 1903 President Roosevelt established a reindeer reservation. During the 1930s, some residents moved to Savoonga to establish a permanent settlement there. When the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) was passed in 1971, Gambell and Savoonga decided not to participate and instead opted for title to the 1.136 million acres of land in the former St. Lawrence Island Reserve. The island is jointly owned by Savoonga and Gambell.

The isolation of Gambell has helped to maintain their traditional Saint Lawrence Yup'ik culture, their language, and their subsistence lifestyle, which is based on marine mammals. Residents are almost completely bilingual. Walrus-hide boats are still used to hunt.

AMA WORKERS

Petu & Jess Koonooka
As a Yupik teacher at the local Gambell school, Petu not only instructs young people, but gives them a piece  of history, culture and the language. For many years, Petu has been working with the local pastors and AMA workers on ministry-related events. In the past year, Petu transitioned to a "Pastor-in-Training" helping to maintain the church & parsonage as well as keeping up with other ministry needs.

NEED

How You Can Help

Volunteer Support
NEED: $12,000
Support the Gambell AMA workers by
donating to offset housing, utility, and transportation expenses
Infrastructure
NEED: $7,000
The Gambell Church is in need of repair. There are many items that need attention during the short summer season.
Day Camp
NEED: $18,000
Gambell would like to host a day camp for the local children. Introduced in 2018, day camps have proven to be an effective outreach.

ADOPT-A-VILLAGE SUPPORTERS

We are excited to welcome Petu & Jess to the AMA family! Local residents who came to the Adventist message, Petu has felt called to share the Good News with friends and family. During the coronavirus lock down restrictions,
the couple brings worship services to the community via the local radio station.

Accomplishments

  • Annual Arctic Camp Meeting
  • Radio Station | KSVQ 89.3 FM

Partners

Warren Downs
Dillingham, Alaska
Tressa Farnsworth
Mount Vernon, Washington
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