OUR HISTORY
NATIVE VILLAGE OF GOODNEWS BAY
Our Yup’ik ancestors walked this land long before maps, carrying knowledge that still guides us today.
Our Story: Honoring the Past, Building the Future
Pre-Contact & Ancestral Identity
- The Yup’ik name Mamterat refers to the traditional settlement area around present-day Goodnews Bay.
- The people called themselves Mamterat-miut (“the people of Mamterat”), reflecting deep ties to the land, rivers, and sea.
- Yup’ik traditions, subsistence practices, and stewardship of tribal lands remain central to community identity.
1936-1940
1936–1940s
Alaska Native villages, including Goodnews Bay, were given the option to organize under the Alaska Native Reorganization Act, which created pathways for formal self-governance.
1957
Platinum mining dominated the local ecomony in the 1970's.
October 19, 1978
- NVGB adopted its Constitution and Bylaws, establishing a 5-member Traditional Village Council as the governing body.
- The adoption vote passed 21–0, meeting the 30% minimum turnout requirement.
- This milestone formally established NVGB’s governance under a ratified constitution.
1978
The adoption of governing documents was recognized by the U.S. as establishing NVGB’s self-governing tribal authority.
NATIVE VILLAGE OF GOODNEWS BAY
Historical Event - Governance Established - Constitution Ratified
1982-1993
1982
- NVGB was included in the first comprehensive Federal Register list of federally recognized tribes (47 Fed. Reg. 53130–53135).
- This recognition secured NVGB’s sovereignty and eligibility for federal programs.
1993 – Present
NVGB has been listed annually by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in the official roster of federally recognized tribes.
2000
2000 BETHEL CENSUS DATA
- Other office and administrative support workers, including supervisors (13.6%).
- Material recording, scheduling, dispatching, and distributing workers (11.9%).
- Supervisors and other personal care and service workers, except child care workers (10.2%).
- Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (8.5%).
- Other management occupations, except farmers and farm managers (8.5%).
- Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers (6.8%).
- Other teachers, instructors, education, training, and library occupations (6.8%).
2005
2010
Religion statistics for Goodnews Bay, Alaska
Based on Bethal Census Area Data
2016
2023
2023 CENSUS DATA
- Education services: (30.3%)
- Public administration: (21.0%)
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting: (9.3%)
- Retail trade: (9.3%)
- Transportation & warehousing: (7.0%)
- Administrative & support & waste management services: (7.0%)
- High School Graduates: (15.0%)
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: (0.0%)
- Graduate or professional degree: (0.0%)
- Unemployed: (67.0%)
- Mean travel time to work (commute): 3.7 minutes
Goodnews Bay compared to Alaska State average (2023)
- Median household income significantly below state average.
- Median house value significantly below state average.
- Black race population percentage significantly below state average.
- Hispanic race population percentage significantly below state average.
- Median age significantly below state average.
- Foreign-born population percentage significantly below state average.
- Length of stay since moving in significantly above state average.
- Number of college students significantly below state average.
- Percentage of population with a bachelor’s degree or higher significantly below state average.
2024
January 19, 2024
Resolution 2024-01 (Public Health Emergency): The Traditional Village Council declared a Public Health Emergency related to alcohol, drugs, overdoses, suicides, and mental health crises.
This action reflected NVGB’s commitment to public safety and wellness.
February 2024
Ellangcaryaraq Recovery Camp (healing to wellness court diversion program) established to address addiction and trauma through counseling.
May 16, 2024
Mumtraq Regional Impact 501(c)(3): NVGB’s nonprofit arm focused on workforce development and community advancement established.
September 2024
NVGB adopted its first Tribal Court Judicial Code after multiple community meetings and unanimous TVC approval.
This code established NVGB’s independent judicial branch, ensuring due process and emphasizing fairness and rehabilitation.
2025
April 4, 2025
Resolution 2025-05 (Customs & Boarder Protection): A Tribally passed resolution creating the Customs & Village Border Protection Agency within the Tribal Police Department.
This agency enforces alcohol and drug control laws, inspects cargo and travelers, and protects community safety.
April 11, 2025
Resolution 2025-07 (Tribal Roll Count): NVGB certified 449 enrolled Tribal members (255 in the service area, 194 outside). Eligible voters age 18+ totaled 140.
Resolution 2025-08 (Housing & Community Structures): NVGB certified 87 housing units, including 79 occupied homes, 1 duplex, and 1 travel trailer. Five abandoned homes were deemed uninhabitable. The community also counted 12 commercial buildings (11 active, 1 abandoned).
April 2025
Resolution 2025-09 (YCTC LLC): The Traditional Village Council approved an operating agreement for Yute Calistait Tribal Contractors LLC (YCTC). YCTC is a 100% tribally owned construction company, building toward SBA 8(a) contracting eligibility.
