Shishmaref is a small community in Northwestern Alaska. It is located on a barrier island on the Seward Peninsula. Approximately 600 residents live in Shishmaref with the majority being Alaskan Native. The ancestory of Shishmaref gives rise to the Inupiaq. Before engines and explorers the ancestors of the current residents of Shishmaref hunted, fished, and gathered various plants, roots, and berries.
The main types of transportation consisted of dog mushing and kayaking. Mushing dogs and kayaking provided great ways of traveling from point A to point B. For example, Shishmaref is located on an island five miles from the main land. Efficient means of transportation was essential where the cost of expending energy might have caused life threatening situations. Temperatures for Shishmaref vary greatly throughout the year, the July average high is about 58 degrees fahrenheit and the Janurary average low is about -4 degrees fahrenheit.
*Bibliography sources 3,4