Communities

Aklavik or Aklarvik meaning "place where one gets grizzly bear" is the most westerly community in the NWT. In the 1940s, as a result of a booming fur industry, Aklavik was the world centre for the million-dollar trade in high-quality muskrat hides. Today, many residents still follow the traditional ways including drum dancing, revived by the Aklavik Drummers and Dancers, as well as hunting, fishing and trapping.

Inuvik or Inuuvik meaning "living place" is a regional centre and the location of the headquarters of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation. Although many Inuvialuit have moved to Inuvik from the surrounding Mackenzie Delta, they have family ties with other settlements around the Western Arctic and Alaska. They still pursue traditional activities and look forward to going on the land.

Paulatuk or Paulatuuq meaning "place where one finds soot of coal" is the nearest community to Tuktut Nogait National Park and the Horton River. It is known as the Southwind Capital of the Arctic. In the absence of industrial activities, many of the Inuvialuit still depend on hunting and trapping for a living. However, initial exploration has indicated this area may contain mineral wealth comparable to the Sudbury basin.

Sachs Harbour or Ikaahuk meaning "place where one crosses" is the most northerly community in the NWT. It is situated on the south shore of Banks Island and is the nearest community to Aulavik National Park. Once called the "White Fox Capital", this picturesque settlement is now known as the "Muskox Capital of Canada".

Tuktoyaktuk or Tuktuuyaqtuuk meaning "place resembling a caribou" is found amidst a landscape dotted with huge ice-covered hills known as pingos situated on the edge of the Beaufort Sea. It is very much a traditional whaling community and the major Inuvialuit community within the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. In the 1980s it was the centre of oil and gas activities in the Western Arctic. Today, there are still large reserves of gas and oil on and offshore.

Ulukhaktok (Holman) or Uluksaqtuuq meaning "place where one finds material to make ulus", located on Victoria Island, is the most easterly Inuvialuit community. Although linked to the Western Arctic, Ulukhaktok also has traditional ties with the Inuit of the Central Arctic. The culture is very much alive in Ulukhaktok with western-style and eastern-style drum dancing, throat singing, and a unique style of printmaking. Many residents have artistic backgrounds and are involved with the Holman Eskimo Co-op in producing prints, tapestries, sewing and other crafts.