As the managing partner of Unaatuq, LLC, BSNC thanks the residents of Nome and the surrounding communities, as well as the visitors to our region for their support of new activities at Pilgrim Hot Springs this year. There has been a great deal of effort put into collecting debris and general clean-up of the property.
The agricultural pilot at Pilgrim program took off quickly with the combined efforts of Bering Straits Development Company, Calypso Farms and the Alaska Center for Energy and Power. One area was planted with surface crops to help prepare the soils for future planting and one area was planted with various vegetables. In addition to the agricultural efforts, there is now an outhouse at the entrance to the property, and we are working on getting a bath house set up near the soaking pool.
The historic building survey will be completed this September by NVision Architects, an Anchorage firm. It is expected that their work will give good baseline information and schematics for future stabilization of the historic buildings at the old mission site. This project has been made possible by Kawerak, Inc. and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Unaatuq, LLC, the consortium of organizations and Native Corporations that own Pilgrim Hot Springs, has kept the property open for public use since it was purchased in 2010. The only requirement is that visitors fill out a permit and liability waiver prior to their visit. This summer more than 300 permits were submitted. The permits are still available at BSNC’s office (Old Fed Building, Front Street, 3rd floor), the Aurora Inn or the Nome Convention and Visitors Bureau.
It is also important that visitors do not venture off the road as they travel to the springs. The surrounding lands along the road belong to BSNC, Mary’s Igloo Native Corporation and the Bureau of Land Management. Please be respectful of Native corporation lands and avoid trespass. Maintaining public use of the springs is important and can only be continued if visitors respect the land and clean up any trash they have brought with them. Please continue to help us keep the property safe and clean and report any vandalism.
People wishing to go to the cemetery are not required to obtain a permit if this is the only reason for their visit. When the property was sold in 2010, the deed included a perpetual public easement to the cemetery so that people might visit and tend to the graves there.
And finally, if you would like to volunteer to help with general grounds work or with the agricultural program, please email: pilgrimproduce@beringstraits.com. We hope to see you at Pilgrim!