Aklavik is a hamlet with 536 people (2021) in the Inuvik Region. It is the westernmost community in Northwest Territories.
Understand
[edit]Aklavik was established in the early 20th century as a trading post, and became a hub for the fur trade. It used to be the most populous town in the Inuvik Region. Until 1961, with a population over 1,500, the community served as the regional administrative centre for the territorial government. Due to repeated flooding in this area, the federal government decided to move the town east and create a new community called Inuvik. However, some decided to stay to keep the community alive, leading to the creation of the community motto "Never Say Die". It is home to both Inuvialuit and Gwich’in peoples.
Tourist information
[edit]- 1 Aklavik Tourist Centre, Hvatum Rd.
Get in
[edit]By plane
[edit]- 1 Aklavik Airport. North-Wright Airways offers scheduled flights on M-Sa from Inuvik. The flight is approximately 20 min.
By car
[edit]
In winter, you can drive on the 117-km-long ice road west from Inuvik (1.5 hr). Alternatively, there is a community-maintained ice road connecting Fort McPherson to Aklavik (2.5 hr). It follows the winding Peel Channel and Peel River with the Richardson Mountains in the background on the west of this ice road. Both Invuik and Fort McPherson are on the Dempster Highway.
By boat
[edit]During summer, you can boat from Inuvik (6.5 hr).
Get around
[edit]
Driving and walking the primary means of transportation within the small community. There are no public transit services.
Aklavik has two gas stations. Arctic Petroleum Services (near the entrance of the ice road) opens and closes early (M-F 9AM-6PM, Sa-Su 10AM-6PM). Bob's Gas (on Tank Farm Rd near the airport) opens and closes late (M-Sa noon-10PM, Su noon-8PM).
See
[edit]- 1 Grave of the legendary Mad Trapper of Rat River, Intersection of Knut Lang Rd and Esau Ave (Aklavik cemetry). No one knows why he evaded police by killing one and injuring another. But he started one of the largest police manhunts in Canadian history. It lasted 48 days and traversed over 240 km in -40 °C. He was finally found and refused to surrender, leading to a firefight that injured another police before being killed. This cemetery is his final resting place.
- Peel Channel - Beautiful views of the Mackenzie Delta and Richardson Mountains.
Do
[edit]Buy
[edit]- 1 Northern Store, 1 Joe Greenland. Daily 10AM-7PM. Groceries and general merchandise.
- 2 Okevik Craft Shop, Gardlund Road, ☏ +1 867 978-2331. Hunting knives, ulus, bone and antler carvings.
- 3 Hamlet of Aklavik Office, Gardlund Road, ☏ +1 867 978-2361, [email protected]. M-F 9AM-5PM. Arts and crafts made by local artists.
Eat and drink
[edit]There is no restaurant in Aklavik. You will have to make your own food. There is no alcohol restriction in this community.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Aklavik Inn, McLeod Rd, ☏ +1 867 978-2461 (reservations: +1 867 978-2414 during M-F 9AM-5PM). Bed and breakfast with common area and kitchen. Internet and laundry facilities are available. Building not wheelchair accessible.
- 2 Sundog Inn, 1 Bennet Rd, ☏ +1 867 678-0360, [email protected]. Bed and breakfast. Shared kitchen, bathroom and living room. Laundry facilities available. Not wheelchair accessible. $200/person (Sep 2022).
Connect
[edit]Bell has a cell phone tower in the community.
Go next
[edit]- Fly, boat (in summer) or drive on ice road (in winter) east to Inuvik
- Take the winding ice road south to Fort McPherson (2.5 hr)