Shishmaref, AK

Shishmaref is a small city in Alaska's Nome Census Area, on Sarichef Island in the Chukchi Sea just north of the Bering Strait. Its island setting is central to the local story, with erosion, exposure, and distance shaping the community's future in very practical ways. Shishmaref is also known for Native art, dog mushing connections, and hospitality to researchers and visitors. It is served by the Bering Strait School District and remains one of Alaska's most closely watched coastal villages.