Business
INUVIK, N.W.T. — A new regional business network has officially launched in Inuvik with the goal of empowering entrepreneurs, accelerating innovation, and growing the northern economy. The Western Arctic Business Association (WABA) is a volunteer-led organization designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises across the Canadian Western Arctic connect, collaborate, and compete for opportunities that too often pass through the region unnoticed.
Aimed at strengthening the backbone of northern enterprise, WABA brings together business owners, tradespeople, and professionals from across the Beaufort Delta and surrounding communities. The network will provide shared tools, mentorship, and up-to-date procurement information, ensuring that northern companies can respond quickly to new contracts, training sessions, and partnership opportunities. In a region where logistics, bandwidth, and distance often complicate business growth, WABA’s mission is to simplify access to opportunities and help local firms work together more effectively.
“The Western Arctic has always been resilient,” said Robert Privett, WABA's founder and acting president. “Our goal is to build on that strength by helping businesses connect, collaborate, and create new opportunities right here at home. Too often, contracts and projects go south simply because northern companies don’t get the information in time. We’re fixing that.”
According to its About Us page, the Western Arctic Business Association will also offer advisory hours, business cohorts, and shared services such as pooled purchasing, opportunity listings, and digital setup assistance. The group’s broader focus includes policy advocacy, workforce development, and innovation support — helping entrepreneurs test new ideas through pilots and programs designed for the Arctic environment. The organization also promotes sustainability, emphasizing economic growth that aligns with environmental responsibility and community well-being.
“We’re focused on practical solutions,” Privett said. “WABA is about real outcomes — getting people access to opportunities, information, and mentorship that actually help them operate and grow.”
In its first year, WABA is launching several business supports tailored to northern realities: skill-building workshops, digital mentorship, and sector-specific training on logistics, compliance, and contract readiness. A shared calendar will centralize tender openings and funding deadlines, while quarterly digests will summarize regional news, business opportunities, and community-led projects. The Association is also planning to host supplier showcases and shop-local campaigns to highlight the talent and capacity that already exist in the Western Arctic.
For northern entrepreneurs, the impact of better coordination can be immediate. When local firms can identify subcontractors and suppliers within the region, freight costs and travel time are reduced, projects move faster, and more revenue stays in the community. “If I can find a subcontractor right here in Inuvik instead of flying someone in, it makes a big difference — for my business and for the community,” said Privett.
Early supporters of the Association include regional firms such as Big North Media, Inuvik Web Services, and Webhorse Technologies, each contributing communications, hosting, and technical support to help WABA establish its online presence and shared service tools.
Membership is open to any entrepreneur or business based in Inuvik or surrounding Western Arctic communities. Members can choose different levels of participation — from a free directory listing that boosts visibility, to partner and sponsorship tiers offering access to advanced tools and joint marketing opportunities. All members receive curated updates and research snapshots focused on Arctic business conditions and procurement cycles.
“This is about more than networking,” Privett said. “It’s about empowerment — giving Arctic businesses the voice, resources, and confidence they need to shape their own future.”
With its founding motto — “Connect. Collabroate. Grow." — the Western Arctic Business Association is positioning itself as both a connector and catalyst for northern prosperity. By uniting local expertise, practical tools, and collaborative energy, the Association hopes to build a stronger business ecosystem that keeps opportunity, knowledge, and investment rooted in the Western Arctic.
For more information or to join the network, visit www.westernarctic.ca or email contact@westernarctic.ca.
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.
