Sallirmiutun, Uummarmiutun, and Kangiryuarmiutun are the three languages that are spoken in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. Collectively they are known as the Inuvialuktun language. Unfortunately, Inuvialuktun is classified as an endangered language because it is spoken by fewer than 50 per cent of the population, many of whom are elders.
Sallirmiutun (formerly Siglitun)
Sallirmiutun is a dialect of Inuvialuktun spoken by the coastal Inuvialuit people of Tuktoyaktuk, Paulatuk, and Sachs Harbour. This also includes Inuvik, where many coastal Inuvialuit now reside. Sallirmiut means “people located closest to the shore.”
Uummarmiutun
poken in the tree-lined inland communities of Aklavik and Inuvik, Uummarmiut means “people of the evergreens and willows.” The origin of this language comes from the Alaskan Inupiaq language.
Kangiryuarmiutun
Spoken in the community of Ulukhaktok on Victoria Island, Kangiryuarmiut means “people of the large bay.” This language is a dialect of Inuinnaqtun, which is the language of the Central Arctic-Kitikmeot communties (such as Cambridge Bay, Kugluktuk, and Ulukhaktok).