Community
INUVIK, N.W.T. — Inuvik’s newest community platform, Inuvik.info, has officially launched, bringing together local news, events, photo galleries, blogs, and a free business directory in one place. The website is designed as a practical hub for residents and visitors alike—an easy, reliable way to find what’s happening around town, discover local services, and share community stories across the Western Arctic.
Built with simplicity and community collaboration in mind, Inuvik.info aims to bridge the gaps between the many ways information circulates in town. For years, details about programs, schedules, and services were shared through posters, Facebook pages, and word of mouth. The new site centralizes it all—turning what used to be scattered updates into a single, dependable community dashboard for everyday life in the North.
“This is built here, for here,” said Robert Privett of the Western Arctic Business Association, which developed and maintains the platform. “It’s meant to be practical first—clear information, easy to find, and open to contributions from across the community.”
At launch, the homepage offers a cross-section of daily life: recreation schedules, craft markets, youth programs, public notices, and service updates appear alongside local blogs and seasonal guides. The business directory helps residents and visitors quickly find local shops, restaurants, contractors, and services—everything from mechanics and cafés to outfitters and community venues. Each listing includes hours, contact information, and location details, helping small businesses stay visible year-round.
Community participation is central to how the site works. Local organizations can post their own events—fundraisers, workshops, games, or public meetings—at no cost. Submitting an event or listing takes only a few minutes, with basic details and a contact form. Submissions are reviewed by editors to keep information accurate and accessible. Residents can also contribute short blog posts or photo stories to share experiences and reflections about life in Inuvik and the Western Arctic.
The photo gallery, supported by Big North Media, doubles as a local image library. The photographs—free for community use—showcase Inuvik through local eyes and can be used by residents, clubs, and small businesses for posters and promotions. Organizers say the goal is both practical and creative: make it easier for people to tell their own stories and represent the town authentically.
For many, the project’s biggest value lies in its simplicity. By putting everything in one place, Inuvik.info makes it easier to find local services first—keeping dollars circulating in the community and encouraging more collaboration among residents, businesses, and organizations. “Sometimes it’s the small things that matter most,” said Privett. “A few more tables filled at lunch, another service call during a slow week, or one more volunteer at a community event.”
Visitors, too, benefit from the new platform. The site offers practical information about recreation, transportation, and public services alongside an updated calendar of what’s on in town. It serves as both a welcome guide and a reliable companion for anyone new to the community, offering an immediate sense of what Inuvik has to offer.
As the platform grows, new features are already in development. Seasonal guides for freeze-up, breakup, and summer will help residents and travellers plan around northern conditions. A newsletter digest and volunteer board are being explored, along with expanded language options in Gwich’in and Inuvialuktun. Each new addition will follow the same principle: keep information local, useful, and accessible on any device, even on slower northern connections.
Residents, organizations, and businesses are encouraged to explore Inuvik.info, post community events, and make use of the shared photo gallery. Those interested in contributing blogs, photos, or community updates can reach the editorial team by email at contact@westernarctic.ca. Submissions are welcome from across the Western Arctic, and participation is free.
Inuvik.info’s team hopes that as the site grows, it will continue to reflect the energy and resilience of the community it serves—helping people find each other, support local services, and celebrate everyday life in the North.
Business Growth and Economic Development
The Western Arctic Business Association (WABA) supports business growth in the Canadian Western Arctic. WABA connects local businesses, governments, and stakeholders to promote economic development, providing resources and advocacy to help members thrive in this unique region.
