Shishmaref is a small city located on Sarichef Island in the Chukchi Sea, off the coast of the Seward Peninsula in Alaska, United States. The city is part of the Nome Census Area and has a population of around 600 people, predominantly indigenous Inupiaq Eskimos.
Shishmaref is known for its unique geographical location and the challenges it faces due to climate change and erosion. The city is situated on a barrier island that is gradually being eroded by the sea, leading to the relocation efforts of the community.
The residents of Shishmaref mainly rely on subsistence hunting, fishing, and gathering for their livelihoods. The cultural practices of the Inupiaq people are still preserved and celebrated in the city.
Shishmaref has gained international attention due to its vulnerability to coastal erosion caused by rising sea levels and thawing permafrost. This has forced the community to consider relocation plans to a safer location on the mainland. The relocation efforts, however, are complex and face various challenges, including funding and maintaining the cultural integrity of the community.
Despite the challenges, Shishmaref remains a vibrant community with a rich cultural heritage and a close-knit population that continues to adapt and persevere in the face of environmental changes.