Brevig Mission in Nome Census Area, Alaska — Northwest (North America)

Brevig Mission Memorial Cross

1918 Influenza Pandemic

— November 15-20, 1918 —

Brevig Mission Memorial Cross image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ned Rozell

1. Brevig Mission Memorial Cross

Inscription.
The following 72 Inupiat Eskimos are interred in this common grave. Pray, honor and remember these villagers, who lost their lives during the short span of five days, in the influenza pandemic, November 15-20, 1918.

Abeyorok, Mike, 26 • Abiikok, Clarence, 3 • Abapkok, Lanora, 17 • Ahkarassok, Eddie, 35 • Altingwouk, 45 • Alall, Alice, 23 • Anakartuk, John, 29 • Annanituk, 45 • the list continues on the brass plaque bolted on the vertical member of the white-painted cross.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical date for this entry is November 15, 1918.

Location. 65° 19.892′ N, 166° 28.988′ W. Marker is in Brevig Mission in Nome Census Area, Alaska. It is on Post Office Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Brevig Mission AK 99785, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Iñupiat Region,

specifically in Southwest Alaska,

and in the Yup’ik & Cup’ik Region.

It is also on

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the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Arctic,

on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Russian Empire.

Also see . . . The Virus Hunters. 4 minute video.

“This historical marker honors Eskimos who are buried here in Brevig Mission, Alaska. On November 15, 1918, a horrible virus struck the entire Eskimo village. By the end of the week, 72 out of the 80 village adults had died. It was the dreaded 1918 Spanish flu! A mass gravesite was created at Brevig Mission, marked only by small white crosses on a hill. The graves were frozen in permafrost and left untouched for 33 years.”

(Submitted on May 13, 2020.)

Photographed by Ned Rozell

2. Brevig Mission Memorial Cross

Credits. This page was last revised on October 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2020. This page has been viewed 699 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 13, 2020.