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INUVIK
THEN
Inuvik was conceived by the Canadian government in
1953. It was intended to replace the hamlet of Aklavik in
the Mackenzie Delta, which was subject to flooding and
offered limited space for expansion.
Originally the community was designated “East Three”
by the survey parties who spread over the Mackenzie
Delta searching for town site locations. Of six sites on
the west side and six on the east side, East Three was
chosen for its large flat area, navigable waterway, tree
cover and gravel supply.
The community was first named “New Aklavik” to reflect
the transfer of facilities from Aklavik. This caused
confusion for the delivery of mail and supplies, so the
name”Inuvik” was selected in 1958. In Inuvialuktun it
means “place of people.”
The years 1964 to 1970 were a period of adjustment as
residents adapted to life in the new community. In April,
1967, Inuvik achieved village status, and in January 1970
it became a town with an elected mayor and council. And
with completion of the Dempster Highway in 1979, Inuvik
became part of the Canadian highway system.
Petroleum exploration in the Mackenzie Valley and
Beaufort Sea provided tremendous employment and
business opportunities in the region beginning in 1971.
These activities continued until 1990 when petroleum
companies decided to pull out because of disappearing
government subsidies, low gas and oil prices, and local
resistance to resource development. Since 1999, oil and
gas companies have once again begun to explore for
natural gas.
During the time that multi-national corporations were
busy tapping petroleum resources in the Mackenzie
Delta, indigenous organizations were gaining the
leverage they needed to settle their land claims with the
Canadian government. The Inuvialuit claim was settled
in 1984 and the Gwich’in claim in 1992. Inuvik is home to
members and organizations of both groups.
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