Founded in 1899 as a supply point for mining activities in the Cosmos
Hills,
this Iñupiaq Eskimo village was forced to move in the 1920s because
of river erosion and flooding. The old site, 10 miles upstream, was renamed Kobuk
by those who remained there. The new village was named "Kochuk," but later changed
to Shungnak. This name is derived from the Eskimo word "Issingnak," which means
jade, a stone found extensively throughout the surrounding hills.
Click here to visit Shungnak School's website!
