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Slideshow: Summer In Newtok And Mertarvik

KYUK | By Katie Baldwin Basile
Published August 3, 2020 at 3:17 AM AKDT
Jeffrey Charles Jr. tests the patience of his rescued seagull chicks on July 13, 2020 in Mertarvik, Alaska.
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Jeffrey Charles Jr. tests the patience of his rescued seagull chicks on July 13, 2020 in Mertarvik, Alaska.
Katie Basile / KYUK
Katie Simon hauls clean laundry home from the washeteria in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 14, 2020.
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Katie Simon hauls clean laundry home from the washeteria in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 14, 2020.
Katie Basile / KYUK
Katherine Charles holds her grandaughter at home in Mertarvik. Katherine says that her kids have been much healther since they relocated from Newtok to Mertarvik in Fall 2019. July 14, 2020.
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Katherine Charles holds her grandaughter at home in Mertarvik. Katherine says that her kids have been much healther since they relocated from Newtok to Mertarvik in Fall 2019. July 14, 2020.
Katie Basile / KYUK
Isaiah Charles relaxes and plays basketball at home after working construction in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 14, 2020.
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Isaiah Charles relaxes and plays basketball at home after working construction in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 14, 2020.
Katie Basile / KYUK
Lena Ayuluk, Kayleigh Charles, Clarissa Ivon, and Jasmin Kassaiuli play hacky sack and hide-and-seek in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 14, 2020.
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Lena Ayuluk, Kayleigh Charles, Clarissa Ivon, and Jasmin Kassaiuli play hacky sack and hide-and-seek in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 14, 2020.
Katie Basile / KYUK
Fishracks in the newly constructed village of Mertarvik line the cliff overlooking the Baird Inlet on July 14, 2020. Mertarvik, Alaska.
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Fishracks in the newly constructed village of Mertarvik line the cliff overlooking the Baird Inlet on July 14, 2020. Mertarvik, Alaska.
Katie Basile / KYUK
David Tommy outside of his home in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 14, 2020.
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David Tommy outside of his home in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 14, 2020.
Katie Basile / KYUK
Youth play basketball in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 14, 2020.
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Youth play basketball in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 14, 2020.
Katie Basile / KYUK
Mertarvik , Alaska on July 14, 2020.
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Mertarvik , Alaska on July 14, 2020.
Katie Basile / KYUK
Jennifer Carl, Marie Carl, Bosco Carl, baby Tom Carl, and Josiah Brown at their home in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 14, 2020.
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Jennifer Carl, Marie Carl, Bosco Carl, baby Tom Carl, and Josiah Brown at their home in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 14, 2020.
Katie Basile / KYUK
The Carl family returns home after a long boat ride to Newtok and back on July 14, 2020.
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The Carl family returns home after a long boat ride to Newtok and back on July 14, 2020.
Katie Basile / KYUK
Jasmin Kassaiuli plays hide-and-seek in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 14, 2020.
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Jasmin Kassaiuli plays hide-and-seek in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 14, 2020.
Katie Basile / KYUK
Lena Ayuluk and Clarissa Ivon on the main road in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 14, 2020.
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Lena Ayuluk and Clarissa Ivon on the main road in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 14, 2020.
Katie Basile / KYUK
Monica Kassaiuli outside of her home in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 15, 2020.
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Monica Kassaiuli outside of her home in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 15, 2020.
Katie Basile / KYUK
Albertina Charles behind her home in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 15, 2020.
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Albertina Charles behind her home in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 15, 2020.
Katie Basile / KYUK
Jeffrey Charles Jr., Albertina Charles, and Drake Charles check a set net in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 15, 2020.
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Jeffrey Charles Jr., Albertina Charles, and Drake Charles check a set net in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 15, 2020.
Katie Basile / KYUK
Jeffrey Charles Jr. shows off his catch in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 15, 2020.
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Jeffrey Charles Jr. shows off his catch in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 15, 2020.
Katie Basile / KYUK
Clarissa Ivon (right) shows her friends a mouse she caught in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 15, 2020.
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Clarissa Ivon (right) shows her friends a mouse she caught in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 15, 2020.
Katie Basile / KYUK
Newtok Village Council Treasurer Katherine Charles stands next to her smoke house in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 15, 2020.
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Newtok Village Council Treasurer Katherine Charles stands next to her smoke house in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 15, 2020.
Katie Basile / KYUK
Boats line the shore in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 15, 2020.
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Boats line the shore in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 15, 2020.
Katie Basile / KYUK
A young boy peers down at a rescued gosling that's been adopted as a pet in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 13, 2020.
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A young boy peers down at a rescued gosling that's been adopted as a pet in Mertarvik, Alaska on July 13, 2020.
Katie Basile / KYUK
Youth in Newtok discuss how to fix their basketball court on July 12, 2020 in Newtok, Alaska.
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Youth in Newtok discuss how to fix their basketball court on July 12, 2020 in Newtok, Alaska.
Katie Basile / KYUK
The banks of the Ninglick River continue to erode, eating away at the land in Newtok, Alaska. July 12, 2020.
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The banks of the Ninglick River continue to erode, eating away at the land in Newtok, Alaska. July 12, 2020.
Katie Basile / KYUK
Lebron and Toby peer into a steambath that is nearly falling into the Ninglick River in Newtok, Alaska on July 12, 2020. Erosion, melting permafrost, and an increase in storm surges has forced the village of Newtok to relocate.
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Lebron and Toby peer into a steambath that is nearly falling into the Ninglick River in Newtok, Alaska on July 12, 2020. Erosion, melting permafrost, and an increase in storm surges has forced the village of Newtok to relocate.
Katie Basile / KYUK
A steambath hangs precariously over the banks of the Ninglick River in Newtok, Alaska on July 16, 2020.
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A steambath hangs precariously over the banks of the Ninglick River in Newtok, Alaska on July 16, 2020.
Katie Basile / KYUK
Children play in the water on a hot day in Newtok, Alaska on July 16, 2020.
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Children play in the water on a hot day in Newtok, Alaska on July 16, 2020.
Katie Basile / KYUK
Kevin Charles, Mary Carl, Frieda Carl, and Elsie Stewart navigate the 9.5-mile boat ride between Mertarvik and Newtok on July 16, 2020.
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Kevin Charles, Mary Carl, Frieda Carl, and Elsie Stewart navigate the 9.5-mile boat ride between Mertarvik and Newtok on July 16, 2020.
Katie Basile / KYUK
Kevin Charles and Mary Carl stand near a gravesite in Kayalavik, an abandoned village not far from Newtok, Alaska on July 16, 2020. Both Kevin and Mary's ancestors lived in Kayalavik.
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Kevin Charles and Mary Carl stand near a gravesite in Kayalavik, an abandoned village not far from Newtok, Alaska on July 16, 2020. Both Kevin and Mary's ancestors lived in Kayalavik.
Katie Basile / KYUK
A moose stands up abruptly along the Newtok River on July 16, 2020.
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A moose stands up abruptly along the Newtok River on July 16, 2020.
Katie Basile / KYUK
The pond next to the airport turns into a swimming hole on hot summer days. The pond used to hold the community's drinking water until the Ninglick River flooded, contaminating the water. July 16, 2020 in Newtok, Alaska.
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The pond next to the airport turns into a swimming hole on hot summer days. The pond used to hold the community's drinking water until the Ninglick River flooded, contaminating the water. July 16, 2020 in Newtok, Alaska.
Katie Basile / KYUK
A Grant Aviation airplane lands in Newtok on July 16, 2020, packed with food and supplies. Grant Aviation Agent Jonah Ayuluk and Tribal Administrator Andrew John meet the plane.
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A Grant Aviation airplane lands in Newtok on July 16, 2020, packed with food and supplies. Grant Aviation Agent Jonah Ayuluk and Tribal Administrator Andrew John meet the plane.
Katie Basile / KYUK
Salmonberries between Mertarvik and Newtok on July 16, 2020.
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Salmonberries between Mertarvik and Newtok on July 16, 2020.
Katie Basile / KYUK
The new village of Mertarvik is located on Nelson Island. Nelson Island as seen from the Ninglick River on July 16, 2020.
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The new village of Mertarvik is located on Nelson Island. Nelson Island as seen from the Ninglick River on July 16, 2020.
Katie Basile / KYUK

Those who have moved to Mertarvik are making themselves at home.

Last October, one-third of Newtok's residents made the nine-and-a-half mile journey across the Baird Inlet to Mertarvik, a newly constructed village. Forced to relocate because of rapid erosion and permafrost melt, many were reluctant to leave Newtok, and emotions ran high on moving day. Nine months later, residents have settled into their new home, and eagerly await the day that their community will be reunited.
Health
Katie Baldwin Basile
Katie Baldwin Basile is an independent photographer and multimedia storyteller from Bethel, Alaska.
See stories by Katie Baldwin Basile
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