Max Morin, a First Nation RCMP member originally from Saskatchewan who was living in Inuvik at the time, painted the original sign in 1992. Read more in the following CBC article here:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/welcome-to-inuvik-sign-1.5021527
WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE OLD SIGN?
The current sign is almost 30 years old. The current pilings are showing signs of deterioration and the sign itself, which has been repaired and touched up several times over the years, was painted on plywood. The plywood is now separating, peeling, and has been significantly damaged by weather and is suggested to be beyond repair.
WHERE'S THE OLD SIGN NOW?
https://www.macleans.ca/society/the-legacy-of-inuviks-iconic-end-of-the-dempster-sign/
WHEN DID YOU DECIDE TO MAKE A NEW SIGN?
While over the years there has been discussions regarding the sign in Town Council, it was in 2015 that it was first put forth as a Capital Budget expenditure item for the Town of Inuvik municipal budget. It was deferred for the next few years, but in 2018 site work began to select and prepare the new site location.
WHAT IS THE BUDGET FOR THIS PROJECT?
The total budget for the project is $200,000.00 but this includes site preparation, sign design, sign fabrication, & installation.
This amount has been approved in the Municipal Capital Budget since 2015.
All Municipal Budget documents are public and accessible by visiting the Town of Inuvik website at: https://www.inuvik.ca/en/town-hall/Budget-and-Finance.asp
WHEN WAS THE TENDER FOR DESIGN ISSUED?
The RFP for the design of the new Tourism Gateway Sign was issued on September 10, 2019
WHERE DID YOU POST THE TENDER?
Advertising of the RFP for the design of the new Tourism Gateway Sign was placed in the following locations:
- Town Website
- Facebook
- Inuvik Drum
- Rolling Channel
- Print Posters (Northmart, Post Office, Gas Stations, MSC, Town Office, Drug Store, Library)
- Discussed at Town Council
- Discussed at Inuvik Tourism Stakeholder Meetings
WHO SUBMITTED BIDS TO THE TENDER?
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FATHOM STUDIO
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NOVA SCOTIA
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CYGNUS GROUP
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BRITISH COLUMBIA
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TAYLOR ARCHITECTURE GROUP
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NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
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PANTHER CREATIVE
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BRITISH COLUMBIA
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GRANT ILLUMINATED SIGNS
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BRITISH COLUMBIA
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WHO WAS THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER & WHY?
The RFP was awarded to Fathom Studios because in addition to being on scope and on budget, after a follow-up discussion with shortlisted candidates, Fathom was seen to be the best equipped (tools, team, experience, & resources) but also included a significant public consultation component to their bid, which was deemed as very important for selection committee.
Bids were evaluated based on weighted scores under the following criteria:
- Have necessary staffing, facilities, materials, experience, ability to complete project effectively (20%)
- Have the ability and experience leading design projects (30%)
- Have significant demonstrated knowledge and experience of design projects in the North (20%)
- Provide appropriate costing (30%)
DID ANY LOCAL FIRMS PLACE A BID?
No Inuvik-based firms or individuals submitted a bid.
DID ANY LOCAL FIRM, BUSINESS, OR ARTIST APPROACH THE TOWN WITH ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS, RECOMMENDATIONS, REQUESTS OR SUGGESTIONS TO SPLIT THE TENDER OR TO OFFER TO PARTNER WITH ANOTHER FIRM?
No.
HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE DESIGN OF THE SIGN?
While Fathom Studios provided three rudimentary early design concepts to Town Council, the ultimate design including colours, motifs, and languages to be included was heavily influenced by community and stakeholder input for those that attended the public open house, answered the online survey, or interviewed directly with the consultants.
Inuvik Town Council and Administration also provided recommendations for various elements of the sign including suggested materials to be used.
DID YOU PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FEEDBACK ON THE DESIGN?
The Town of Inuvik and Fathom Studios utilized numerous methods to solicit public input including:
- One-on-one Stakeholder interviews
- Presentation & dialogue with Inuvik Town Council
- On-line survey
- Public Engagement Session & Open House
- Information / Engagement Booth at the GNAF Fall Craft Fair
WHERE DID YOU PROMOTE THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT FOR THE SIGN?
Public Notice for Public Engagement posted to the following locations
- Town Website
- Town of Inuvik Facebook Page
- Inuvik Events Facebook Page
- Rolling Channel
- Announced on CBC
- Printed posters around Town
Invitation to Public Engagement send directly by email to 150+ stakeholders including:
- Local Businesses
- Inuvik Youth Centre
- Northern Games Society
- Ingamo Hall
- Joint Secretariat
- Aurora College
- GNWT-ITI
- Great Northern Arts Society / Festival
- Inuvik Community Greenhouse
- Inuvik Community Corporation
- Inuvialuit Communications Society
- Parks Canada
- Inuvialuit Regional Corporation
- Local Tourism Operators
- Aurora Research Institute
- Gwich’in Tribal Council
- Aklak Air
- Ladies Auxiliary
- Canadian Reindeer
- Muskrat Jamboree
- Northern Properties
- Nihtat Gwich’in Council
- Inuvik Native Band
- Inuvik Road’s End Golf Course
- Air North
- Canadian North
- Mayor & Council
- Nova Hotel
- Mackenzie Hotel
- Arctic Chalet
- Capital Suites
- Tuktoyaktuk Tourism Coordinator & EDO
- Inuvik EDO
- Originals on Mackenzie
- Blackfly Studios
- Moe’s Stationary
- CBC North
- Inuvik Drum
- Local Artists
- Inuvik Drummers & Dancers
- Inuvik Community Events Society
- Wrangling River Supply
- ACTMC
- NRCAN / Satellite Station
- MLA Diane Archie
- MLA Lesa Semmler
DID YOU CONSULT WITH LOCAL INDIGENOUS GOVERNMENTS?
Invitation & requests for one-on-one interviews were sent to local Indigenous Government leadership including:
- Inuvialuit Regional Corporation
- Inuvik Community Corporation
- Gwich’in Tribal Council
- Inuvik Native Band
- Nihtat Gwich’in Council
WHO APPROVED THE DESIGN & WHEN?
After discussions and taking into consideration public input, Town Council provides direction to Administration to move forward with project with an official motion passed during Town of Inuvik Town Council meeting on February 12, 2020.
http://calendar.inuvik.icreate6.esolutionsgroup.ca/council/Detail/2020-02-12-1900-Town-Council-Regular-Council-Meeting/ea9ae9d7-2e6a-4105-bf21-ab6e00b420e7
HOW DID YOU DECIDE ON THE LANGUAGES USED ON THE SIGN?
During the public consultation it was made know that the desire was to have the word “WELCOME” in English, Inuvialuktun, & Gwich’in. The Town of Inuvik approached both the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the Gwich’in Tribal Council for guidance on how best to source the correct spelling in both languages.
- Inuvialuit Cultural Resource Centre provided final translation for preferred Inuvialuktun dialect & spelling of Welcome
- Gwich’in Department of Culture & Heritage designated Elder to provide final translation for preferred Gwich’in dialect & spelling of Welcome
WHEN WAS THE TENDER FOR CONSTRUCTION & INSTALLATION POSTED?
May 20, 2020
WHERE DID YOU POST THE OPPORTUNITY TO BID ON THE CONSTRUCTION & INSTALLATION?
Advertising of the RFP for the design of the new Tourism Gateway Sign was placed in the following locations:
- Town Website
- Facebook
- Inuvik Drum
- Discussed at Town Council
HAS THERE BEEN ANY MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE SIGN PROJECT?
TOWN SEEKS RESIDENT INPUT ON NEW GATEWAY SIGN – INUVIK DRUM - NOV 2019
https://nnsl.com/inuvikdrum/town-seeks-residents-input-on-new-gateway-sign/
HOW THE TOWN OF INUVIK GOT ITS WELCOME SIGN – CBC ARTICLE – FEB 2019
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/welcome-to-inuvik-sign-1.5021527
TOWN COUNCIL GETS LATEST LOOK AT UPCOMING NEW GATEWAY SIGN – INUVIK DRUM – MAY 2020
https://nnsl.com/inuvikdrum/town-council-gets-latest-look-at-upcoming-new-gateway-sign-arctic-market-and-chief-jim-koe-stage/
LOVE IT OR HATE IT – THIS IS INUVIK’S NEW TOWN SIGN – CBC ARTICLE – JULY 4 2020
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/inuvik-new-town-sign-1.5637464
AFTER BACKLASH OVER NEW SIGN, TOWN HOPEFUL INUVIK ARTISTS WILL GET INVOLVED IN FUTURE PROJECTS – CBC ARTICLE – JULY 9 2020
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/inuvik-sign-reaction-1.5643169
GATEWAY SIGN: SEPARATE DESIGN AND ENGINEERING TENDERS TO AVOID PUBLIC OUTCRY OVER CIVIC PROJECTS, SUGGEST INUVIK ARTIST – INUVIK DRUM – JULY 11 2020
https://nnsl.com/inuvikdrum/gateway-sign-separate-design-and-engineering-tenders-to-avoid-public-outcry-over-civic-projects-suggests-inuvik-artist/
THE LEGACY OF INUVIK'S ICONIC END OF THE DEMPSTER SIGN - JUNE 18 2021
https://www.macleans.ca/society/the-legacy-of-inuviks-iconic-end-of-the-dempster-sign/
WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE SIGN NOW?
The new Town of Inuvik Gateway Sign is now complete.
GOOGLE MAPS
https://goo.gl/maps/7sBZK9FaLs8awXC69
INUVIK GATEWAY SIGN COMPLETE
https://tinyurl.com/InuvikGatewaySignComplete
WHAT WOULD BE THE ADDITIONAL COSTS IF TOWN COUNCIL DECIDED TO RE-ISSUE THE TENDER FOR THE DESIGN CONCEPT OF THE SIGN?
At this time, it would be difficult to provide an exact estimate, as it would vary greatly depending on the change in scope or design of the sign. Several options are possible should Town Council decide to go “back to the drawing board”.
The initial approximate break down of the overall $200,000.00 budget is 10% to site preparation, 40% to sign design, & 50% to sign fabrication & installation
Should Council wish to re-evaluate or re-issue the design component, it has, under this funding model the potential to cost an additional $20K to $80K to complete.
ARE THERE PHOTOS OF THE DESIGN CONCEPT OF THE SIGN?
*note the language translations shown on these early designs are not the final version
*note the figures used in the photos are for scale only and are not part of sign design
The front (highway facing) base of the sign will include Delta Braid, Welcome (EN, Gwich’in, Inuvialuktun), & animal motif (Caribou, Moose, Grizzly)
The rear (parking lot facing) base of the sign will include Delta Braid, Longitude & Latitude, & animal motif
Ends of base will have Town Logo
ARE THERE PHOTOS OF THE COMPLETED SIGN?
https://tinyurl.com/InuvikGatewaySignFBPics
