Oftentimes, people completely lose track of time, and it can quickly become 11 p.m. or later before visitors realize they havent even begun to feel tired! For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 109.5 males. This beautiful female was foraging not more than 20 feet from the road in golden light and golden reflections, along with several Red Phalaropes - all very approachable and in peak plumage. View past newsletters here. Utqiavik (formerly Barrow) is a city that is 300 miles (480 km) north of the Arctic Circle on the Arctic Ocean in Arctic Alaska. Occupation. For Alaska's day-to-day weather, its best to plan for a bit of everything. Opponents of the name change were concerned it would cost the city money, reported The Arctic Sounder, "both in terms of changing all official references to the name on things like stationery and signage, and the loss of emotional capital or recognition that come along with the name 'Barrow' for tourism and business.". #ducksofinstagram In 1935, famous humorist Will Rogers and pilot Wiley Post made an unplanned stop at Walakpa Bay, 15mi (24km) south of Utqiagvik, en route to the city. Utqiagvik was incorporated as a first-class city in 1958. Fluent speakers are aging, said Harcharek, the City Council sponsor, who works in subsistence research for the North Slope Borough. History and Alaska Native culture are a highlight of the area, which features several sites on the National Register of Historic Places. . The nation's northernmost town, Utqiagvik is home to about 4,700 people and is situated on Alaska's North Slope, about 320 miles north of the Arctic Circle. By October 2017, at 6'8" tall, he had committed to go to the University of Texas. #naturephotography We're not even trying. The town is now officially called Utqiagvik, its Inupiaq name. . [69] In 2015, the Barrow High School girls' team also easily won the ACS tournament. Frederick William Beechey did and honored Barrow by naming a point after him, according to historical accounts. Lt. Gov. 1. "I believe we are the same people whether we are in Utqiavik or whether we are in Barrow.". The schools serving the city are Ipalook Elementary School, Hopson Middle School, Barrow High School, and alternative learning center known as the Kiita Learning Community.[71]. October is usually the month with the heaviest snowfall, with measurable amounts occurring on over half the days and a 19912020 normal total accumulation of 10.3in (26cm). The event typically takes place the third week of June. The predominant land type in Utqiagvik is tundra, which is formed over a permafrost layer that is as much as 1,300ft (400m) deep.[29]. The area is one of the few-known nesting spots for Stellers and spectacled eiders. POST W. ROGERS, AK 19611990", "Comparative Climatic Data For the United States Through 2018", "Monthly weather forecast and climate - Barrow, AK", "Arctic warming three times faster than average rate of planet, study finds", "Temperature Changes in Alaska | Alaska Climate Research Center", http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/33405927v1ch07.pdf, https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/41033927n358-359ch10.pdf, https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-1-3.pdf, "The Night They Saved Christmas (1984 TV Movie)", "NFL Network Presents 'Football Town: Barrow, Alaska', "Pottsville news, sports, obituaries, and shopping | republicanherald.com", "Alaska high school football programs with the most wins since 2008", "Kamaka Hepa - Basketball Recruiting - Player Profiles - ESPN", "ESPN Basketball Recruiting - Super 60 Player Rankings", Kamaka Hepa, Jefferson 4-star PF, commits to Texas Longhorns, Basketball fans come to watch Hepa, but leave talking about Adams as well, ACS boys, Barrow girls capture basketball titles, "AM/FM Silakkuagvik Communications - "Top of the World Radio"KBRW AM/FM Silakkuagvik Communications | "Top of the World Radio", "The Arctic Sounder - Serving the Northwest Arctic and the North Slope", The Papers of Palmer W. Roberts on Eskimos at Point Barrow, The Papers of Albert Dekin on the Recovered Remains of the Barrow Inuit Population, The Papers of Charles D. Brower, Postmaster of Barrow, CAC (Civil Applications Committee)/USGS Global Fiducials Program web page containing scientific description and interactive map viewer featuring declassified high-resolution time-series imagery, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Utqiagvik,_Alaska&oldid=1152054677, Populated coastal places in Alaska on the Arctic Ocean, Populated places of the Arctic United States, Populated places established in the 6th century, 6th-century establishments in North America, All articles with bare URLs for citations, Articles with bare URLs for citations from March 2022, Articles with PDF format bare URLs for citations, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles containing Inupiaq-language text, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2022, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Source 1: NOAA (relative humidity and dew point 19611990), The southernmost of the sections, known historically as the "Barrow side", is the oldest and second-largest of the three; it serves as downtown. [47][48] Smoothed data from NOAA show that Utqiagvik has warmed by more than 11F (6.1C) since 1976. #birds_perfection On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 C (28.5 F). If you know how to pronounce them all, you probably have been in Alaska for far too long. #visitalaska #travelalaska #arctic #borntoroam -ANHC Culture Box Coordinator, Zach Lane (Iupiaq) Today, you can find a memorial to them in downtown Utqiagvik, just across from the airport. [26][27], Utqiagvik is roughly 1,300mi (2,100km) south of the North Pole. When he is on the ice whaling, he said, he understands Inupiaq best. Snowfall in Utqiagvik has increased in recent years, with an average annual snowfall of 46in (120cm) according to the more recent 1991-2020 normals.[33]. But visiting the northernmost city in the United States . [60], The town is the setting for a series of horror comic books titled 30 Days of Night. Customers don't have to do anything right away, though they can submit an address change online or by mail, she said. #waterfowlphotography . The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers evaluated coastal erosion and storms in Utqiagvik and outlined main risks in the 2019 Barrow Alaska Coastal Erosion Feasibility Study.. Strong waves could attack . Unfortunately, this browser does not support voice recording. #shorebird Word of the day - in your inbox every day, 2023 HowToPronounce. They won't need a new license until renewal time. Utqiavik is not accessible by road. On June 6, the daily mean temperature rises above freezing, and the normal daily mean temperature remains above freezing until September 21. Caribou habitat is also affected, while thawing soil threatens homes and municipal and commercial structures. #birdfreaks [53] This did not include nearby Point Barrow, which was a separate community. Soon the new mayor hopes to turn to other projects. : #kingsbirds Alaska Native Arts & Culture| Government| History| Northwest. In October, the people of the Alaskan town formerly known as Barrow, on the edge of the Arctic Ocean, voted to restore its indigenous name, Utqiagvik. Due to the earths tilt, the Northern Hemisphere faces the sun all summer long, accounting for the extra daylight hours. Utqiagvik, Alaska. Hunting and gathering is still a big part of life inArctic Alaska, and seasonal hunts for whales, seals, walrus, caribou, and ducks remain important for both traditional and economic reasons. This is also true from the end of the midnight sun at the beginning of August to September 22. The Birnirk culture existed from about 500 to 900 A.D. 8802, ``PUBLIC LANDS AND WATERS CLIMATE LEADER- SHIP ACT OF 2022'' ===== LEGISLATIVE HEARING BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES OF THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION _____ Tuesday, September 20, 2022 . You've got the pronunciation of Utqiagvik right. #alaska, It's half past noon and although It may not look like much to most, colors in the sky and a hint of sun, indicate that soon the sun will once again show itself above the horizon. When the sun sets here on Nov. 18 or 19, it doesn't rise again for 65 days. hide caption. ', "The authors [of the ordinance] also acknowledged that Inupiaq is the 'original, ancestral language of this area and our people' and that returning [the town name] to Utqiagvik would 'promote pride in identity'and would 'perpetuate healing and growth from the assimilation and oppression from the colonists.' Approximately two miles north of the Utqiavik airfield is the Birnirk Archaeological Site. #culture #blankettoss #anhc #alaskanativeheritage #aknativeheritage #alaskanative #heritagemonth #Indigenous #alaska #travelalaska #explorealaska #alaskanativeheritagecenter #Utqiagvik #Iupiaq, Whale Bone Arch - Utqiagvik The six-sided monument honors pioneer Wiley Post and the actor and humorist Will Rogers. State officials say they know of just two other rural communities that changed their names in modern times: Nunapitchuk, formerly Akolmiut, which did so in 1983, and Nunam Iqua, which changed from Sheldon Point in 2000. [20], The Barrow Duck-In was a civil disobedience event that occurred in the spring of 1961.[21]. TheIupiat Heritage Centeris the best place to visit to learn more about the areas rich culture. : Known as the Gateway to the Arctic, the whalebone arch connects the area to its traditional whaling history. There are mobile apps, online tools, dictionary websites to help you as well, but this dedicated channel is you go-to directory to improve your diction, voicing elocution, enunciation, and intonation.Juliens instructional and educational videos make pronunciation easier as I detail the correct pronunciation as fluent speaker many languages such as French, English, Spanish, or Italian, and curious student of world idioms such as Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Polish, or Russian.-If you found this video helpful please like the video to support my work.-If you would like help with any future pronunciations, be sure to subscribe!-Thanks for Watching How To Pronounce with Julien and happy pronouncing.#EnglishWithJulien What does this word/name mean? During some months, it can even be possible to spot polar bears in the area. . By March 1, the sun is up for 9 hours, and temperatures begin to warm, though winds are usually higher. The Arctic Sounder[73] is a newspaper published weekly by Alaska Media, LLC, which covers news of interest to the North Slope Borough, which includes Utqiagvik, and the Northwest Arctic Borough, which includes Kotzebue in northwestern Alaska. www.studebakerstudio.com/photo-tours #ilovetotravel #travelislife #blacktraveljourney #blacktravelfeed #blackgirlstraveltoo #blacktravelers #traveladdict #traveler #seetheworld #travelgram #wanderlust #travelpic #mytraveljourney #instratraveler #traveltheworld #nomadnesstribe #igtravel #solotraveler #blackwanderlust #explorer, Red-necked Phalarope The arch, which is located on the beach near The Cape Smythe Whaling and Trading Station, is constructed out of a bowhead whales jawbone and is surrounded by shells of traditional whaling boats. An Iupiaq, [1] he was born in Utqiagvik . In 1900, it reported again as "Cape Smythe Settlements". Referred to as \"Barrow\" beginning in 1901, the city voted to restore its old Iupiat name, Utqiavik, in 2016. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utqiagvik,_Alaska . Ive seen some pretty cool sights in the past two weeks, traveling around the North Slope of Alaska. Owing to the prevailing easterly winds off the Arctic Ocean, it is completely overcast slightly more than 50% of the year. #phalarope [24] Journalist Tom Rose details the rescue and the media frenzy that accompanied it, in his 1989 book Freeing The Whales. Monthly travel tips, highlights, and savings! So it's difficult to pick just one photo to represent Alaska. Log in or [citation needed], On the Ice, a film released in 2011 about teenagers dealing with a tragic accidental death, was filmed entirely in the town, with locals acting in most roles. It's a diverse community, she said. Of the 246 residents, 189 were Natives, 46 were White, one was Asian, and 10 were other races. #shorebirds submit an address change online or by mail. You have earned {{app.voicePoint}} points. Neither side campaigned, and many residents were confused on what the vote means, newly elected Mayor Fannie Suvlu said Friday. Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. {{app.userTrophy[app.userTrophyNo].hints}}. Even in July and August, the low falls to or below the freezing mark on an average of 18 days. An IRA corporation was also created. Quyanaqpak for sharing these amazing photos, Zach! To understand what research questions involving cetacean distribution and density can be addressed using manned and UAS technology in the Arctic, we conducted paired aerial surveys for cetaceans near, Northern Alaska Tour Company provides guided tours of, ARCPAC was an airborne campaign coordinated with POLARCAT; it was closely collocated with remote sensing and in situ observations from the ground site of Barrow, Alaska (now known as, As owner of Ace Hardware Top of the World in, With arms in every single zip code, from Key West, Florida, to, The relationship is made possible through the Arctic Fiber project which significantly increases bandwidth opportunities in the, This study documents changes across tundra plant communities near, Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary, the webmaster's page for free fun content, ABSTRACTS FROM THE 2019 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOCIETY FOR NORTHWESTERN VERTEBRATE BIOLOGY, HELD JOINTLY WITH THE WASHINGTON CHAPTER OF THE WILDLIFE SOCIETY, AND IN ASSOCIATION WITH NORTHWEST PARTNERS IN AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE CONSERVATION, AT GREAT WOLF LODGE, GRAND MOUND, WASHINGTON, 25 FEBRUARY-1 MARCH 2019, Salty water beneath Arctic permafrost helps scientists understand potential life on ice worlds, THE ARCTIC CLOUD PUZZLE: Using ACLOUD/PASCAL Multiplatform Observations to Unravel the Role of Clouds and Aerosol Particles in Arctic Amplification, Retail on the Edge: Business Owners Find Success in Remote Locations, One of the warmest season's on record is causing a dangerous thaw, Arctic Slope Regional Acquires Texas-based K2 Industrial Services, ALASKA'S MERIT SELECTION OF JUDGES: THE COUNCIL'S ROLE, PAST AND PRESENT, Alaska Communications to increase higher education opportunities, UTP17, small subunit (SSU) processome component, homolog, UTRA Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number. Built in 1893 as a whaling station, the structure at the site is the oldest frame building in the Arctic. "We The Inupiaq" Rap, North Slope Borough School District, In The Arctic Circle, The Sun Will Come Up After 58 Tomorrows, Natural Resources Key to Alaska Town's Future. . [32] Winds average 12mph (19km/h) and are typically from the east.[22][34]. The schools serving the city are Ipalook Elementary School, Hopson Middle School, Barrow High School, and alternative learning center known as the Kiita Learning Community. In August, the weather in Utqiagvik is usually quite cold. [House Hearing, 117 Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] H.R. #birdphotography, "Land of the Midnight Sun." Similar tools and artifacts have been found from the Russian Far East to northern Canada. Elders-in-residence and artists-in-residence programs are held in a traditional room where people can learn about arts, language, history, and more. #your_best_birds The place I would like to visit again. Talk about something for the bucket list: walking the beaches of the Arctic Ocean and even dipping a toe in the chilly waters is a unique experience that not many people have the chance to encounter. [63] Barrow High School recorded its first win two weeks later; the coaches and players celebrated the historic win by jumping into the Arctic Ocean, just 100yd (91m) from the makeshift dirt field. A post office was established in 1901 helping the name "Barrow" to become dominant. The city holds the distinction of being the northernmost settlement in the United States, and the northernmost settlement on the North American mainland. Alaskan travel memories: Utqiagvik the northern most city of mainland America and the most unique place Ive ever seen. "Who is going to pay everybody to get new IDs? Canon 1D Mark IV, 600mm, ISO 400, 1/1600, f6.3 : . [33] Utqiagvik records an average 26 days per year where the high reaches at least 50F (10C). Extreme winds from 40 to 60mph (64 to 97km/h) have been recorded in every month. I was there to document the event for new to the region teachers as part of their cultural immersion, as well as catch up with old friends." One inch of rain has an estimated equal water content to 12in (30cm) of snow. Utqiagvik is surrounded by the National Petroleum ReserveAlaska. Spot Unique Wildlife. This coastal town is a central hub of the arctic. How to Pronounce Utqiavik? The mounds reach up to 14 feet tall, with dwellings framed by driftwood and whalebones. Rate the pronunciation difficulty of Utqiagvik. The part of Barrow where Arctic Pizza sits is known by a similar word, Ukpiavik, for "place to hunt snowy owls" and other nearby spots have different names. Thinner sea ice endangers the landing of bowhead whale strikes on offshore ice by springtime whalers. or post as a guest. The official name is the "City of Utqiavik", spelled with the diacritical mark on the "g". carpenter, businessman. Log in or InUtqiavik, visitors find themselves on the coastline of the Arctic Ocean - a view that not many people have the chance to see. No wind barriers or protected valleys exist where dense cold air can settle or form temperature inversions in the lower atmosphere, as commonly happens in the interior between the Brooks and the Alaska ranges.[32]. #fowl_waterfowl The median income for a household in the city was $63,094.09, and the median income for a family was $68,223. Johnny Ned Nusunginya (March 13, 1927 - August 18, 1981) (Last name pronounced like Nusaia in Iupiaq) was an American politician from the state of Alaska. The Oct. 4 election was close, with 381 in favor and 375 against. . Reclaiming the old name is a step toward reclaiming a culture pressed out by missionaries and others who came to the Native people's lands, said Qaiyaan Harcharek, 34, the Barrow City Council member who sponsored the ordinance leading to the public vote. The town first appeared in census records on the 1880 U.S. Census as the unincorporated Inuit village of "Ootiwakh". The town is now officially called Utqiagvik, its Inupiaq name. [32], Regarding precipitation Utqiagvik has a desert climate, and averages less than 6in (150mm) "rainfall equivalent" per year. (Barrow) Subscribe to learn and pronounce a new word each day! ", "Barrow voters support name change to 'Utqiavik', "Barrow voters narrowly approve ordinance to rename city", "Alaskan City Votes to Take Traditional Iupiat Eskimo Name", "Barrow, Alaska, Changes Its Name Back To Its Original 'Utqiavik', "Barrow, Alaska, Closer to Getting Its Inupiat Name Back", "Barrow Arctic Research Center/ Environmental Observatory: History and Facilities", "Her Court Is on Arctic Shores, Her Cause Is Eskimos' Rights", "State of Alaska Community Database Online", "Freeing The Whales - How the Media Created the World's Greatest Non-Event", "Canadian Climate Normals 1971-2000 Station Data", "WMO Climate Normals for BARROW/W. # # # # # # # # # # # # #alaska #barrow #fairbanks #anchorage #park #lake #trip #travel #, Four years ago - 11:14 PM. #bird_brilliance . The facility operates continuously, and is the northernmost hospital or medical facility in the United States.[76]. The whale bone arch is a symbol of the close connection the Inupiat people have with whaling and the sea. The new-old name for Barrow may take some practice to pronounce, and it's time to start: Utqiavik won the nod from a slim majority of city voters earlier this month and now has the state's stamp of approval to take effect Dec. 1. But the greater Barrow community has been called Utqiavik since long ago, Jana Harcharek said. The city of Utqiagvik has three sections, which can be classified as south, central, and north; they are known to residents as Utqiagvik, Browerville, and NARL respectively. American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. The mounds reach up to 14 feet tall and were formed by the construction of new houses on top of the ruins of other structures over hundreds of years. [36] In May, the temperatures are much warmer, averaging 22.7F (5.2C). The high temperature reaches or tops the freezing point on an average of only 136 days per year, and 92days have a maximum at or below 0F (18C). Due to its proximity to the 'top of the world' as many say, this town, formerly known as Barrow, sees more of the night sky than sunlight. There were 1,620 housing units at an average density of 88.1 per square mile (34.0/km2). Published Sep 16, 2020. #utqiagvik #barrow Owing to its location 330mi (530km) north of the Arctic Circle, Utqiagvik's climate is cold and dry, classified as a tundra climate (Kppen ET). In 2016, the community voted to make Utqiagvik official. #bestbirdshots Sunny Day in Utqiavik (Barrow) , Alaska, USA. Temperatures remain below freezing from early October through late May and below 0F (18C) from December through March. In the Inupiaq language, Utqiavik means the place where we hunt snowy owls, but thats just one of the species that have lived here and provided nourishment to local people for thousands of years. From our annual photo tour to Utqiagvik (Barrow), Alaska. But on official government maps, sometimes they are misspelled or mislabeled, he said, as in the case of two rivers with Inupiaq names flip-flopped. #kingEider If you are visiting MayAugust, youll witness 24-hour daylight, so black-out curtains are a must! In October, the people of the Alaskan town formerly known as Barrow, on the edge of the Arctic Ocean, voted to restore its indigenous name, Utqiagvik. In the world of words and all of the meticulous details that come along with them, some words can be extremely hard to pronounce. Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital which is located in the City of Utqiagvik, is the primary healthcare facility for the North Slope region of Alaska. Utqiagvik Whale Bone Arch, AK It is at least 70% overcast some 62% of the time. Unfortunately, this device does not support voice recording, Click the record button again to finish recording. The state Division of Motor Vehicles is working to get the city name changed in its computer system, Marla Thompson, DMV director, said in an emailed response to questions. Utqiagvik, like many communities in Alaska has enacted a "damp" law, prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages. Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. www.studebakerstudio.com/photo-tours The only way to get there is by plane. The Will Rogers and Wiley Post Monument, dedicated in 1982, is located across from the airport. All Rights Reserved, {{app['fromLang']['value']}} -> {{app['toLang']['value']}}, Pronunciation of Utqiagvik with 6 audio pronunciations. An important historical site in the area is the Pigniq archaeological site which contains 16 dwelling mounds of a culture believed to have existed from 500-900 AD. All rights reserved. Cloud types are mainly low stratus and fog; cumuli forms are rare. Fannie Akpik, approaching age 65 and born and raised in Barrow, has said all along she is from Utqiavik. . [39], Variation of wind speed during the year is limited, with the fall days being windiest. In the world of words and the diversity of accents and local dialects, some words can be extremely hard to pronounce. The road system around town offers some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities. Add a meaning Add Utqiagvik details Synonyms for Utqiagvik Add synonyms Antonyms for Utqiagvik Add antonyms Though about 60 percent of Utqiagvik residents are Iupiat Eskimo, non-natives started calling it Barrow because it was easier to pronounce. Dense fog occurs an average of 65 days per year, mostly in the summer months. In the late fall, Ross Gulls from Siberia fly overhead, signifying the return of winter. Utqiagvik was incorporated as a first-class city under the name Barrow in 1958. The majority of visitors come to Utqiavik in the summer, when the daylight hours are endless and the temperatures get up in the 40s. It is not. Oops! Among her many assignments, she spent three years based in. He never traveled to Alaska but Capt. Register [23] After a two-week rescue effort (Operation Breakthrough), a Soviet icebreaker freed two of the whales. The school offers associate's degrees in accounting, allied health, business and management, construction technology, dental health therapy, Indigenous education, information technology, Iupiaq studies, liberal arts, and office management. In Inupiaq, Utqiavik means the place where we hunt snowy owls. Snowy owls come to nest in the area when food is plentiful, so bring binoculars for some incredible birdwatching. The Whalers' team was led by 5-star recruit Kamaka Hepa. The northernmost city of the United States, located in north-central Alaska on the Arctic Ocean near Point Barrow. That's Sir John Barrow, a civil servant in the British Royal Navy who was a big supporter of Arctic exploration. Can you pronounce this word better or pronounce in different accent or variation ? : Congrats! It is located about 320 miles north of the Arctic Circle. #barrow #alaska #bonehead #whale #arch #artic, King Eider. Two memorials have been erected at the location which is now called the Rogers-Post Site. [28], According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 21sqmi (54km2), of which 3sqmi (7.8km2) are covered by water (14% of the total area). Located on the Chukchi Sea coast, Utqiagvik is the northernmost community in the United States.The community is traditionally known as Ukpeagvik, "place where snowy owls are hunted." Utqiagvik was incorporated as a first-class city in 1958. Last year, temperatures in Utqiagvik and the state of Alaska broke the federal government's 120-year record. The gift shopoffers visitors the opportunity to purchase arts and crafts such as baleen boats, etched baleen, carved ivory, masks, parkas, and fur mittens. . #your_best_birds The wind was dead calm long enough for my drone to break 400ft and the birds were still enough to let me snap their picture with my new lens. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Monitoring Lab operates in Utqiagvik. April brings less extreme temperatures, with an average of 4.0F (15.6C), and on April 1, the sun is up for more than 14 hours. Utqiagvik, Alaska (formerly known as Barrow, Alaska) In 2017, I visited the whale bone arch on the shore of the Arctic Ocean during the Midnight Sun Alaska is, in my opinion, one of the states with the most gorgeous landscapes. The per capita income for the city was $22,902. Hearty travelers do visit in the winter, when the village sees no sunlight for 67 days and temperatures regularly dip below freezing. Another recorded Iupiaq name is Ukpiavik (IPA:[ukpi.vik]), which comes from ukpik "snowy owl" and is translated as "the place where snowy owls are hunted". An ancient 5.0mi (8km)-sized crater, Avak, is situated near Utqiagvik. #barrow #Utqiagvik [17], British Royal Navy officers came to the area to explore and map the Arctic coastline of North America. [12][13][14][15] City Council member Qaiyaan Harcharek said the name change supports the use of the Iupiaq language and is part of a decolonization process.[16]. The town is now officially called Utqiagvik, its Inupiaq name. #wildfowl This area in addition to the houses includes, The north section is the smallest and most isolated of the three sections, known to the residents as NARL because it was originally the site of the Naval Arctic Research Lab. [citation needed], Stephen Fry visited the town and its people during the last segment of his documentary Stephen Fry in America.