Welcome to Inuvik NWT - End of the Dempster
Posted by: 
wildwoodke
N 68° 20.852 W 133° 41.802
8W E 553662 N 7582179
The western Arctic's largest city north of the Arctic Circle is Inuvik, NWT.
Waymark Code: WM244G
Location: Northwest Territories, Canada
Date Posted: 08/31/2007
Views: 16
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.