Services
Water and Sewer
The tribal council employs permanent residents to provide water and sewer services to residents. The position trucks water and sewer twice a week for residents who pay the service fees. Waste is then disposed of in one of the two lagoons located next to the landfill. The water source is from two wells (located between the water/sewer truck garage and washeteria/clinic building). The program is funded through user fees, tribal monies, and Indian Health Service (IHS) funds.
It is currently operating at a loss, but there are no plans to increase user rates due to the low economic status and high elder population. The tribe is looking at reducing energy usage of the water/sewer truck garage to offset costs. Residents interested in receiving water/sewer services must have an alternative heat source other than wood and pay each month for services. This requirement was put in place to make sure that their pipes don’t freeze. There are approximately 40 residents who take advantage of this program. The Northway Village Council also provides sewer services for the Walter Northway School and water services for the Department of Transportation Facilities.
Washeteria
Public water is available for all residents through our washeteria building. The current washeteria was built in 1995. Funding for the building was through Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC). The washeteria has two showers, six washers and six dryers (all coin-operated), and a coin and token machine. Washeteria upgrades occur annually, and projects vary from receiving new washers/dryers to large-scale remodeling to make the services more efficient for the community.
Clinic
The Northway clinic is owned and operated by the Northway tribal council. Funding for maintenance and operations is provided through council funds. The clinic operates with a two-person staff, both positions working six hours a day. As of October 2014, there is only one health aide in the community currently being trained. TCC jointly supervises health aid positions. If a community member requires additional health services, they are referred to Tok, Fairbanks, or Anchorage. Medical appointments are set up by the community health representative located in the tribal office building. Currently, the clinic and the washeteria are located in the same building but maintain separate entrances. The facility was constructed in 1995 with funds received from Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC).
Community Hall
The tribal community hall houses the elder meals, which serve one meal per day Monday through Friday and is operated by the Upper Tanana Development Corporation in Tok. The Kitchen has a full kitchen with two cookstoves, a fish frame, meat house, freezers, and refrigerators. It is also used for potlatches, funeral services, and community gatherings. In October 2014, the tribal council was awarded ICDBG funding, allowing for an addition to the current community hall. The old hall was renovated in 2016 and a new two-story office building with kitchen, pantry, and meeting room was completed in September 2016. This two-story addition will house the new tribal office in addition to offering a cultural area. Community members will utilize the cultural area for crafts, language, and traditional native dance gatherings.
Not just that, a new tribal courthouse was built. In addition, a successful construction of a COPS building, and Safe house were completed.
Landfill/Dump
The tribal council operates solid waste management for the community. The landfill is located 4 miles from the community next to the airport. The area designated for the landfill was conveyed from the corporation to the tribe. It is currently nearing capacity; as of 2014, the tribe and corporation are working together on identifying possible new locations. The landfill facilities include two burn barrels on-site, and the tribe operates a weekly trash pick-up system for residents. In the summer of 2014, the tribe used existing IGAP funds for a two-month recycling project. The car crusher removed over 500 vehicles and tons of scrap metal. In September 2014, the tribe also had clean-up, and a new trench was dug at the current landfill.