Welcome to Inuvik NWT - End of the Dempster
Posted by: 
wildwoodke
N 68° 20.852 W 133° 41.802
8W E 553662 N 7582179
Quick Description: The western Arctic's largest city north of the Arctic Circle is Inuvik, NWT.
Location: Northwest Territories, Canada
Date Posted: 8/31/2007 8:44:09 PM
Waymark Code: WM244G
Views: 12
Long Description:
The history of Inuvik is a short one. During the mid 1950's the
government of Canada felt there was a need for an administrative
center in the Western Arctic. Aklavik, the traditional center was
subject to flooding and erosion leading experts to believe that it
would be washed into the Mackenzie before too long. As well there
was insufficient space for the needed expansion. Consequently a
search for a new site was launched.
In 1954, the first survey teams flew to the Mackenzie Delta,
looking for the best site for the future, but unnamed town. A
number of potential sites were identified with this location being
referred to as East Three. The site was on a navigable river with
access to wood, gravel, a good, clean water supply and enough flat
land for a major airport. Moreover, the site had plenty of room for
expansion and definitely with no flood concerns. The East Three
site was selected and in hindsight the choice was a good one.
On July 18, 1958 Inuvik, which means "Place of Man" in
Inuvialuktun, officially began by proclamation of the 15th session
of the Council of NWT.
Early construction included the building of the school in 1959,
and the hospital, office buildings and staff housing in 1960. The
RCMP, CPC, NCPC, Transport, National Defense, National Health and
Welfare, Citizenship and Immigration all has personnel living in
Inuvik. Many of the first houses built were cabins 16 ft by 32 ft
and because they contained 512 sq. ft. they became known as
512's.
During the early days the community grew rapidly as Inuvialuit,
Dene and Metis from the Delta/Coast region and people from southern
Canada moved to Inuvik, creating a unique three culture community.
On April 1, 1967 Inuvik was incorporated as the Village of
Inuvik.
Oil was discovered in 1970 with natural gas being found in 1971
in the Mackenzie Delta. These discoveries lead to further expansion
of Inuvik. The major oil companies established offices in our town
and the service sector for the oil patch rapidly expanded.
Scientific and environmental research in the area also expanded and
the Federal Government opened a scientific research laboratory in
Inuvik.
Today Inuvik is still the regional government centre and the
transportation hub of the Western Arctic. The completion of the
Dempster Highway in 1979 opened Inuvik and the Western Arctic to
the world. Tourism is one of the growth industries in Inuvik now,
with future expansion of Inuvik hinges on the production of oil and
gas from the Beaufort. The Town of Inuvik is now an incorporated
municipality is similar in operation to towns in other parts of
Canada.