Aklavik

Aklavik, or Aklarvik, (meaning “grizzly bear place”) is located on the bank of the Peel River and at the foot of the Richardson Mountains. With a population of 630 people, the hamlet is the most western community in the Northwest Territories. The community became a trading post for the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1912 – after a conflict between the Inuvialuit and Gwich’in caused the former to no longer travel to Fort McPherson to trade. With large populations of muskrat, beaver, fox, bear and lynx, the community answered to the demand for furs. The animal harvesting tradition continues to this day with both young and old actively engaged in trapping, hunting and fishing. Aklavik is also strong in other traditions such as drum dancing, with the region wide revival spurred on by members of the Aklavik Delta Drummers and Dancers.

Each of the six Inuvialuit communities within the Inuvialuit Final Agreement (IFA) – Aklavik, Inuvik, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Tuktoyaktuk and Ulukhaktok – has a community corporation with elected directors. Through a democratic process as outlined in the IFA, Inuvialuit beneficiaries directly control IRC and its subsidiaries. The chair of each community corporation, together with the chair of IRC, form the IRC board of directors. Aklavik Community Corporation (ACC) board of directors is elected by corporation members.

Chair – Jordan McLeod

Vice Chair – Johnnie D. Storr

Secretary/Treasurer – Jerry “Dean” McLeod

Director- Mary Ann Elanik

Director- Pamela (Faith) Gordon

Director – Ella Martha Archie

Director – Brandon McLeod