The town of Inuvik was constructed on the East Channel of the Mackenzie River in the late 1950s and early 1960s. It was to replace the region's administrative centre, Aklavik, which frequently flooded, though many people never did leave Aklavik. Originally called "New Aklavik", the name was changed in 1958 to Inuvik, which means "the place of man" in the Inuvialuit language.

    Prime Minister John G. Diefenbaker officially opened Inuvik during a visit on July 21, 1961. At that time he unveiled a plaque that reads: "This was the first community north of the Arctic Circle built to provide the normal facilities of a Canadian town. It was designed not only as a base for development and administration, but also as a centre to bring education, medical care and new opportunities to the people of the western Arctic."

    The population of Inuvik fluctuates as the resource economy booms and fades, but in 2009 there were 3,586 residents, about 60% of whom are Inuvialuit, First Nations or Métis.

Town of Inuvik
The official site, with information for both residents and visitors.

Maps of Inuvik
Maps of the region and the town.

Dempster Highway
A comprehensive guide to Canada's "Road to the Arctic."

Aklak Air
Scheduled and charter flights throughout the western Arctic, with Beechcraft 90 and 99s, King Air 100, Twin Otters and a DC-3.

CBC Inuvik
Listen to this RealAudio radio broadcast.

Eskimo Inn
A budget hotel located in the centre of town.

Mackenzie Hotel
Inuvik's only full-service hotel is located in the centre of town.

Capital Suites
Conveniently located downtown, with 82 suites.

Arctic Chalet
Located at the edge of town. Open year round. Courtesy vehicles and sled dog rides are available.

Nova Inn
Inuvik’s newest premier hotel, conveniently located downtown, next to restaurants and the hospital.

First Air
Flights are offfered from Edmonton six days a week.

Great Northern Arts Festival
Since 1989, up to 80 visual artists and 40 performers from across the North have been gathering in Inuvik for about 10 days each July.

Happy Valley Territorial Park
Located downtown, with serviced and unserviced campsites, a boat launch, picnic tables and many other facilities.

Up North Tours
A wide range of tours are offered year round.

White Huskies Tours
A wide range of tours are offered year round, including tours to Tuktoyaktuk in the summer and sled dog trips in the winter.

Photos of Inuvik
Almost 30 photos of the town and area taken over the last 20 years.

Inuvialuit Regional Corporation
Headquartered at Inuvik, with over 20 affiliates, operating in six major economic sectors.

Fisheries Joint Management Committee
This committee was formed to ensure that the fisheries resources in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region are properly taken care of.

Inuvik Centennial Library
Basic information about the library's services and collection, including the Dick Hill Northern Collection.

Matco
The Mid-Arctic Transportation Company offers household goods relocation services as well as freight, courier, airport ground handling and warehousing services.

Inuvik: A History, 1958-2008
Subtitled "The Planning, Construction and Growth of an Arctic Community", this book by Dick Hill was published on the 50th anniversary of the naming of the community.

Tuktoyaktuk
A flight or tour to the village of "Tuk" makes a great day trip from Inuvik.

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