Sachs Harbour: Inuvialuit History and Aulavik

Sachs Harbour: Inuvialuit History and Aulavik

Sachs Harbour is the ancestral territory of the Inuvialuit; the community was first permanently settled in 1929. Sachs Harbour is also the community closest to Aulavik National Park. These are two different considerations when choosing where to stay: the history of the community and its geographical relationship to the park. When looking for a hotel in Sachs Harbour, you can consider which of these connections is more relevant to your reason for visiting. The year 1929 refers to the first permanent settlement; it should be distinguished from the cultural connection to the ancestral territory.

Getting There and Finding Your Way

Sachs Harbour can only be reached by air; flights are available via Inuvik. Check connections via Inuvik for your travel dates before making other travel arrangements. This puts the flight route at the start of your planning. Finding your way to Aulavik National Park is a separate matter: the visitor reception centre in Sachs Harbour directs visitors to the park. The flight connection concerns arriving in Sachs Harbour, while the centre provides directions to the national park. If Aulavik is part of your reason for travelling, keep these two points separate in your planning.

Culture and Nature on Banks Island

In 2006, exhibitions on the culture and history of the people of Banks Island opened at the Aulavik National Park visitor reception centre in Sachs Harbour. They included art and crafts created by Sachs Harbour residents, as well as a presentation of Arctic wildlife. The exhibition history of the time thus brought together three themes: the history of the people of Banks Island, artistic work from Sachs Harbour, and a natural history perspective on the Arctic. The residents’ work grounded part of the exhibition in the community; the wildlife display drew attention to another aspect of the region. Culture and nature stood alongside one another as distinct perspectives.

Activities with Inuvialuit Guides

In Sachs Harbour, Inuvialuit guides are available for hunting and fishing. If either activity interests you, confirm the specific options in advance. Back of the Earth Adventures, an Inuvialuit-owned tour and guiding company in Sachs Harbour, also offers boat tours with an Inuvialuit guide. The tours explore Banks Island and the surrounding waters. The activities have different focuses: hunting and fishing on the one hand, and exploring the island and its waters by boat on the other. Your choice therefore depends on which of these activities interests you most.

White Fox Jamboree

The White Fox Jamboree in Sachs Harbour is associated with the long May weekend; the festival includes a fair, traditional games, a fishing tournament, and races. The event combines festivities with competitions. If you want to plan your trip around the Jamboree, check the current event dates and compare them with your travel dates.

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