Paulatuk, or Paulatuuq, (meaning “place where one finds soot of coal”) is the nearest community to Tuktut Nogait (Nurrait) National Park and the Horton River. It has a population of around 300 people and is known as the Southwind Capital of the Arctic. Many of the Inuvialuit who live here depend on hunting and trapping for a living. However, initial exploration has indicated this area may contain mineral wealth. The community received its name from the nearby Smoking Hills, which have burned continuously for centuries due to the autoignition of sulfur-rich lignite deposits.
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. Paulatuk Community Corporation (PCC) board of directors is elected by corporation members.
Chair – Lawrence Ruben
Director – Chris Ruben
Director – Bill S Ruben
Director – Arlin Ruben
Director – Andy Thrasher
Director – Albert Ruben
Director – Bobby Ruben Sr.