Kaltag, Alaska

Kaltag (KAL-tag)[4] (Russian: Калтаг; Koyukon: Ggaał Doh [qæːɬ toh]; Inupiaq: Qałtaq) is a city[5][6] and village in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska, United States.

The Athabascans had seasonal camps in the area and moved as the wild game migrated.

After the Alaska Purchase, a United States military telegraph line was constructed along the north side of the Yukon River.

Steamboats on the Yukon, which supplied gold prospectors ran before and after 1900 with 46 boats in operation on the river in the peak year of 1900.

A measles epidemic and food shortages during 1900 reduced the population of the area by one-third.

In 1906, gold seekers left for Fairbanks or Nome; however, the Galena lead mines began operating in 1919.

Kaltag has a week long Stick Dance (memorial Potlatch) every two years that draws visitors from many neighboring villages.

This Potlatch is sponsored by relatives of the recently deceased, in appreciation of those who helped during their time of mourning.

Salmon, whitefish, moose, bear, waterfowl and berries are elements of the subsistence economy.

Yukon–Koyukuk Census Area map