Nunam Iqua, AK

Nunam Iqua is a small Yup’ik village of about two hundred people, sitting near the mouth of the Yukon River where it meets the Bering Sea. Formerly called Sheldon Point, the village voted in 1999 to return to its traditional name, which translates to “land’s end.” Daily life here is deeply tied to the land and water, centered on subsistence fishing, hunting, and seasonal routines. Getting around requires adjusting to the climate, as there are no connecting roads. Locals travel by small bush planes year-round, hop in boats during the ice-free summer months, and ride snowmachines over frozen trails throughout the winter.