Gambell

Gambell is a small city in the Nome Census Area of Alaska, United States, located on the northwest coast of St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea. It lies across the water from the Siberian coast and is one of two principal communities on the island, the other being Savoonga. The population is predominantly Iñupiat and the community maintains a traditional subsistence lifestyle.

The area has been inhabited by Iñupiat people for centuries. European contact began in the late 19th century with traders and missionaries, and Gambell developed as a subsistence-based village with whaling and fishing playing important roles in its economy and culture.

Geographically, Gambell sits on the rugged coastline of St. Lawrence Island. The climate is subarctic, characterized by long, cold winters, short, cool summers, and strong winds. The island’s location in the Bering Sea exposes it to maritime influences and polar air masses, producing variable weather conditions.

Economy and transportation in Gambell rely heavily on subsistence activities such as hunting marine mammals, birds, and fish, alongside limited wage employment in local services, schools, and government. There is no road connection to the rest of Alaska; access is by air through Gambell Airport and by seasonal marine transport when available.

Education in Gambell is provided by the Bering Strait School District, with local facilities serving elementary and secondary students. The community supports Iñupiat cultural traditions, including language, subsistence practices, and local gatherings, and it maintains ties with Orthodox and other church communities that have historically influenced religious and cultural life.