Backgrounder - Canada supports Economic Development in the Delta Region

CanNor investment: $1,400,000
Inuvialuit Regional Corporation investment: $157,000
Government of the Northwest Territories investment: $150,000.

The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), on behalf of the Government of Canada, will provide the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) with a $1.4 million investment for the Nalukatuk economic development initiative. 

This investment will generate 40,000 hours of labour for more than 100 community residents throughout the Inuvialuit Settlement Region.

The IRC was created in 1984 with the signing of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement (IFA). It aims to improve the economic, social and cultural well-being of the Inuvialuit through the implementation of the IFA.

The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation worked with all six communities in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, which includes Aklavik, Inuvik, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Tuktoyaktuk and Ulukhaktok, to develop the Nalukatuk project.

Nalukatuk will stimulate community-level economic development with a dozen sub-projects designed to generate new tourism products and enhance the aesthetic of potential tourism destinations.

Several of these projects will strengthen and revitalize traditional Inuvialuit economic activities, like sewing and carving.

Projects supported by these investments include:

Inuvik Reindeer Station Clean-up – This cultural site near Inuvik will be enhanced as a tourism destination, and a video recording of traditional knowledge and storytellers will be created as a resource for tourism operators.

Tuktoyaktuk Community Beautification – Key tourist highlights will be enhanced, including restoration of a sod and driftwood house, trail upgrades and the construction of a traditional permafrost freezer.

Tuktoyaktuk Sewing Co-op Rejuvenation – The Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporation will recruit five new employees, including local expert seamstresses and furriers, to produce traditional crafts.

Aklavik Sewing Co-op Rejuvenation – A pilot project will be established to reopen the sewing shop and produce traditional crafts.

Aklavik Community Beautification – The Aklavik Community Corporation will undertake a number of community improvements including upgraded boardwalks and the construction of a deck at the Aklavik Inn.

Ulukhaktok Soapstone Quarrying – An expected 4,000 pounds of soapstone will be quarried and transported to Inuvik for local carvers to use in their art.

Ulukhaktok Print Collection Renewal – A professional printmaker will lead a workshop to help re-establish the Holman Arts Cooperative.

Paulatuk Visitors Centre Upgrade – The visitors centre will receive a number of improvements, including exterior painting and general maintenance. 

Paulatuk Soapstone Quarrying - An expected 4,000 pounds of soapstone will be quarried and transported to Inuvik for local carvers to use in their art.

Paulatuk Sewing Program – This program will produce prospector-style tents and caribou skin outfits for the Paulatuk Drummers.

Sachs Harbour Blue Fox Harbour Restoration – The harbour area will be cleared of debris and upgraded with new picnic tables.

Sachs Harbour Trail System Upgrade – About 30 kilometres of trail will be upgraded around the community of Sachs Harbour.