Culture Hughes is a Koyukon Athabascan village. Traditional ways of life persist - potlatches and dog races attract visitors from surrounding river villages. Economy Subsistence is the focus of the local economy. Salmon, freshwater fish, moose, black bear, rabbits, waterfowl and berries are utilized. Caribou are also sought when available.
Most cash is earned from part-time jobs with the city, school, clinic or store.
BLM emergency fire fighting, construction work, skin sewing, beadwork, sled building, and trapping also provides seasonal income. Transportation River transportation is very important to Hughes, although barge service is not reliable due to shallow water. Most fuel and heavy freight is brought in by air. A lighted, gravel 4,600' runway is maintained and owned by the State. Snowmachines, ATVs and skiffs are used for local transportation.