STATEMENT: Urgent call for fair supply chain: IRC demands action amid Sachs Harbour water crisis

INUVIK—Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) issues this statement in response to recent media coverage concerning the boil water advisory in Sachs Harbour, Northwest Territories. Our aim is to clarify factual inaccuracies and address misleading impressions in the reporting, and to provide transparency regarding the supply chain challenges faced by communities within the Inuvialuit Settlement Region.

Clarification of factual inaccuracies

Recent news reports attribute the boil water advisory to frozen intake and truck-fill pipes at the local treatment plant, leading to manual chlorination and a requirement for residents to boil water. While these precautionary measures are necessary, the coverage fails to address the broader logistical challenges impacting remote communities like Sachs Harbour.

The reason for the current advisory is that essential equipment for the treatment facility did not arrive before winter, preventing proper operation of the water system. This logistical failure, rather than just technical issues, led to the current precautionary measures.

Supply chain prioritization and its impact

It is important to clarify that communities in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region are not prioritized in the northern supply chain. Instead, industries such as mining, oil and gas, and major infrastructure projects consistently receive priority when goods and materials are transported to the North.

This systemic prioritization means that essential supplies, including those required for water treatment and maintenance, often do not reach our communities in a timely manner, especially during critical seasonal windows.

“Our residents deserve to be prioritized above corporate interests—necessities like safe water should never take a back seat to big money,” says IRC chair and CEO, Erwin Elias. “Too often, decisions are driven by where the most money is at stake, leaving our communities behind when it comes to essential services.”

Consequences for remote northern communities

As a result of these supply chain practices, remote communities like Sachs Harbour face increased vulnerability to service disruptions and delays in receiving necessary resources. These challenges directly impact public health and wellbeing, as evidenced by the current boil water advisory.

IRC will continue to work with local leadership, territorial authorities, and all stakeholders to resolve these longstanding issues and to keep residents informed.

About the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation  
Established in 1984 to manage the settlement outlined in the Inuvialuit Final Agreement (IFA), Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) represents the collective interests of Inuvialuit in and beyond the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR). The IRC works to continually improve the economic, social, and cultural well-being of the Inuvialuit through the implementation of the IFA and by all other available means. 

Media inquiries contact:

IRC Media Relations
867.678.5016
media@inuvialuit.com