During
the mid 1950's, the government of Canada felt there was a need
for an administrative centre in the Western Arctic. Aklavik,
the traditional centre, was subject to flooding, erosion, and
space was limited.
Thus, a search for a new site was launched,
and the first survey teams went out in 1954.
On July
18, 1958, Inuvik, which means "Living Place" in Inuvialuktun,
officially began, by proclamation of the 15th session of the
Council of the N.W.T. By Municipal Ordinance, the area known
as Inuvik obtained village status on April 1, 1967.
Inuvik was
the first planned Town North of the Arctic Circle. In January
of 1970, town status for Inuvik was achieved. Inuvik, as stated
on the Town Monument, dedicated by the
Rt. Hon. John Diefenbaker,
was created as a model community to provide "the normal
facilities of a Canadian Town." It was designed, not only
as a base for development and administration, but as a centre
to bring education, medical care, and new opportunity to the
people of the Western Arctic".
Today,
Inuvik is the government centre and transportation hub for the
Western Arctic. It is the largest Town north of the Arctic Circle.
Since 1979, Inuvik has been the end of the Dempster Highway,
thus connecting the Arctic with southern communities. Inuvik
is also the main headquarters for the oil and gas industry operating
in the Beaufort Sea/Mackenzie Delta. Back to top |
