Kiana, AK

Kiana is a small Iñupiaq village nestled along the Kobuk River in northwestern Alaska, roughly 60 miles east of Kotzebue. Its name translates to "a place where three rivers meet," fitting its location right where the Squirrel River and other waterways flow into the Kobuk. Life here has always followed the rhythm of the seasons, with families relying on the river and surrounding tundra for fishing, hunting, and berry picking throughout the year.

Like many rural Alaskan communities, Kiana is completely off the road system. Travel in and out relies on scheduled bush flights from Kotzebue, while summer barges bring up heavy freight, groceries, and fuel along the river. Warmer months see locals navigating the waterways by skiff, switching to snowmachines once the ice forms a winter trail network. The village is home to a K-12 school and a close-knit population where neighbors look out for one another and Iñupiat culture remains part of daily life.