Initially called "New Aklavik", it was renamed to Inuvik.
Due to its northern location, Inuvik experiences an average of 56 days of continuous sunlight every summer and 30 days of polar night every winter.
Aklavik from the Inuvialuktun meaning barrenground grizzly place is a hamlet located in the Inuvik Region of the Northwest Territories, Canada. Until 1961, with a population over 1,500, the community served as the regional administrative centre for the territorial government.
Building conditions at the time considered to be unsuitable (primarily due to flooding) resulted in the development of Inuvik 63 km (39 mi) to the east, meant to entirely replace Aklavik.
However, many residents persevered and kept Aklavik as a community, with a 2016 population of nearly 600. The mayor of Aklavik is Andrew Charlie.
The community is served only by air, via the Aklavik/Freddie Carmichael Airport, and by winter ice road directly from Inuvik across the streams of the Mackenzie Delta. When the river is open, usually June to September,the Aklavik Water Aerodrome is available for float planes.
The Inuvialuit of Aklavik are primarily Uummarmiut and are descendants of the Nunatamiut, Inupiat people who migrated from Alaska in the early 20th century. Although at first antagonistic they later intermarried with the local Siglit, whose numbers had dwindled due to disease.
They speak Uummarmiutun, which is almost identical to Inupiaq language but is grouped with Inuvialuktun.
The Gwich'in are an Arctic-dwelling Dene peoples who inhabit Alaska, Yukon and the NWT. They speak the Gwich'in language which is part of the Athabaskan language family.
Both Inuvialuktun and Gwich'in are official languages of the NWT, and in 2009 19.2% of the Aboriginal population spoke at least one Native language.
At the 2016 census, Aklavik had a population of 590, down 6.8% from 2011. Like most other NWT communities the majority of the population, 93.2%, is Indigenous.
However, unlike other communities Aklavik has a large number of both First Nations, 33.9%, and Inuit, 53.4%, along with a small number of Metis, 4.2%, and non-Aboriginal, 8.5%.
In 2017 the Government of the Northwest Territories reported that the population was 656 with an average yearly growth rate of 0.7% from 2006.
From 2006 to 2014 there were 94 births and 42 deaths in the community. In 2017, 14% of residents were 9 or under, 6.9% were from 10 to 14 years old, 14.2% were from 15 to 24, 30.9% were from 25 to 44, 20% were from 45 to 59, and 14% were 60 or older.
At the 2016 census the median age in Aklavik was 31.8, compared to 34.0 for the NWT and 41.2 for Canada as a whole.
The crime rate for 2016 was 70.9 per 1,000 persons for violent crimes, and 200.9 per 1,000 persons for property crimes, both numbers below the average for the NWT of 78.4 and 206.6.
In 2015 the average income in the hamlet was C$33,826, compared to $61,909 for the NWT, and the average income for a family was $80,200, compared to $133,754 for the NWT, with 20.0% of all families earning less than $30,000.
From the South, drive the Dempster Highway to Inuvik. Or fly in through Canadian North, Aklak, First Air, or Air North.
Flying is the preferred option for those who are not accustomed to the long-haul driving, with limited services en route, required to get to Inuvik by road. And it's pretty much the only sane option during the winter months.
To go around simply use private vehicle, bicycle, etc. No public transportion available.
Visit notable sites:
- Inuvik's Our Lady Of Victory Church, often called Igloo Church, is a famous landmark in the region.
- The Canadian Arctic's northernmost mosque is the world's northernmost mosque.
- The Great Northern Arts Festival has been held annually for 10 days in the middle of July.
- The annual Sunrise Festival happens on the second weekend of the new year
Inuvik is a great place for those with an adventurous spirit. It is one of the last places on earth that remain very much untouched by humans, and the sense of being top of the world is impossible to avoid.
The local people are very friendly, and quite willing to show those curious enough to ask how they still, in the 21st century live off the land; in the some of the harshest conditions on the planet.
One can explore for thousands of miles in any direction, by snow mobile, boat or atv. Just be sure to have a guide go with you who is familiar with the land, as Inuvik is a very isolated town,and you want to make sure you get back.
Ensure you have sufficient supplies for your adventure, as there is nothing outside of the town to provide you with petrol, food apart from hunting, or a warm dry bed.
Or stay in town. The local people are trying very hard to preserve their culture, and tourists showing a genuine interest will help support their goals.
From soap stone carvings, to stunning bead work, even water colour paintings by local artists will dazzle the senses and be sure to provide you with a unique experience.
The best time to get a sense of what the town can offer is during the Great Northern Arts festival, held each year in Inuvik.
It's a summer occasion, so you will experience the 24 hours of sunshine as well as see artists who come from across the north, as far way as Newfoundland, Nunavut, the Yukon, Alaska and Northwest Territories.
Everyone one with the northern spirit is welcome to have bannock and caribou stew and see the best of the best in Arctic art. Some artists are even creating their pieces on site, so you can see first hand how to turn a stone into a magnificent figure of polar bears, walrus or Inuit faces.
Midnight Sun Recreation Complex. Great swimming pool: lanes, lazy river, large water slide, volleyball net and basketball net. Also a canteen selling food and drinks and an arena.
Buy yourself Inuvialuit and Gwich'in art.
Have your meals at Cloud 9 Cafe, In the airport. Great food. Muskox burgers
Lookout for accomodation at any one of these:
- Mackenzie Hotel.
- Polar Bed and Breakfast, 75 Mackenzie Street.
- Nova Inn.
Tourism Observer
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