Sachs Harbour

Sachs Harbour, or Ikaahuk, (meaning “place where one crosses”) is the most northern community in the Northwest Territories. It is situated on the south shore of Banks Island and is the nearest community to Aulavik National Park. It is home to around 125 people. Once called the “White Fox Capital” this picturesque settlement is now known as the “Muskox Capital of Canada”. After all, Banks Island is home to more than half of the world’s muskox population. An ancestral territory of the Inuvialuit, Sachs Harbour first became a permanent settlement in 1929. With a flourishing white fox population, three families from the Mackenzie Delta sailed to the island to harvest the valuable pelts.

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. Sachs Harbour Community Corporation (SCC) board of directors is elected by corporation members.

Chair – John Lucas Jr.

Director – Ryan Lucas

Director – Darin Nasogaluak

Director – Norman Anikina

Director – Pamala Kimiksana

Director – Kyle Wolki

Director – Wayne Gully