Aklavik

Aklavik was called “place of the barren land grizzly bear” in Inuvialuktun because that’s what the Inuvialuit observed when the area was used as a traditional meeting place for the nomadic Inuvialuit and Dene in the region. Aklavik’s population today remains largely indigenous but is home to two very different aboriginal groups, the Inuvialuit and the Gwich’in Dene. The Inuvialuit of the area are descendants of the Nunatamiut, Inupiat people who migrated from Alaska in the early 20th century. Eventually this group married members of the Siglit Inuit from the Mackenzie Delta area, whose population was shrinking because of sickness. Today the dialect spoken by the Inuvialuit in Aklavik is Uummarmiutun, which is almost identical to Inupiaq language but is grouped with Inuvialuktun. The Ehdiitat Gwich’in are part of the larger Gwich’in Nation that includes aboriginal people living at the northwestern limits of the boreal forest. The Gwich’in language is part of the larger family of Athapaskan languages, which include Slavey, Dogrib, Han, Tutchone and Chipewyan. But, the Gwich’in language and way of life is very distinct.

By about 1910, small trading posts were established in the region resulting in the Inuvialuit and Gwich’in moving and nearby. By 1918 Aklavik was established as a permanent settlement and quickly became the main trapping, trading and transportation centre for the Mackenzie Delta. The region was known for being home to many small, fur-bearing mammals such as muskrat, which were becoming a valuable commodity. Anglican and Roman Catholic missions were built as well as a headquarters for the RCMP. Soon the community had a Hudson’s Bay Company store and airmail service. By 1952, Aklavik had a healthy population of more than 1500 residents, mostly Inuit and Dene and some non-Aboriginal. However, serious flooding and erosion threatened the community, and a decision was made in the 1961 by the federal government to relocate the town 58 kilometres to the west. The new town was called Inuvik. Most residents did not move with the town, however, and remained in Aklavik, bringing about the motto, “never say die.” On January 1, 1974, the community gained official hamlet status.
Aklavik is well known today for the mystery and intrigue that comes with being the setting for part of the infamous story of the Mad Trapper of Rat River. 
In 1931 Albert Johnson arrived in Fort MacPherson down the Mackenzie Valley from Aklavik. He built a cabin at Rat River. RCMP from Aklavik investigated him for tampering with traplines, which ultimately led to the shooting of one officer. The officer recovered but the attack started most famous manhunt in the Canadian North. Eventually Johnson shot two more officers, killing one. He ran 85 miles in 3 days and the RCMP had to hire an airplane to the track the man who had quality bush skills. In the end, Johnson, or the Mad Trapper, was shot and killed by RCMP after being cornered. The Mad Trapper is still buried in Aklavik today.

The community’s culture remains as vibrant as the stories about its history. The three languages spoken in the community are Inuvialuktun, Gwich’in and English. Many residents still follow the traditional ways of living, such as whale hunting. Hunting beluga and bowhead whales continues to be of great importance for both the Inuvialuit and the Gwich’in. Aklavik’s arts and crafts, such a moccasins, tuftings, birch bark baskets and carvings are known internationally. The Aklavik Drummers and Dancers are well-known traditional performers.