Some more about Inuvik

In 1979, with the completion of the Dempster Highway, Inuvik became connected to Canada's highway system, and simultaneously the most northerly town to which one can drive in the summer months.  And it really is at the end of the road - the Dempster Highway simply loops around the town and then you've nowhere to go but back down south again.

This sculpture, entitled "Unity Within Diversity" is the creation of five artists from different cultures and regions in the Northwest Territories and portrays the mix of culture here.

My father would have really enjoyed this - and I'm sure some of you will too - the "Roads End Golf Club".  The complex has a three-hole course that is playable from June until September, unless, of course, the ravens mistake the golf balls for eggs and steal them away (which apparently does happen).

 This is the first green

Standing on the third tee looking over towards the green

I saw my first arctic hare when I was walking today.  The arctic hare is a species of hare which is adapted largely to polar and mountainous habitats.  The arctic hare survives with a thick coat of fur and usually digs holes in the ground or under snow to keep warm and sleep.  Arctic hares look like rabbits but have shorter ears, are taller when standing, and, unlike rabbits, can thrive in cold climates.  The arctic hare changes its coat colour, moulting and growing new fur, from brown or grey in the summer to white in the winter, enabling it to remain camouflaged as their environments change.

A distinct feature of Inuvik is the use of "utilidors" – above-ground utility conduits carrying water and sewage – which are covered by corrugated steel. They run throughout town connecting most buildings, and as a result there are many small bridges and underpasses. The utilidors are necessary because of the permafrost underlying the town.

I got to go inside the "Igloo Church" today, and it was very interesting.  The diameter of the building is 75 feet and the copula on which the cross stands is 20 feet in diameter.  You can go up into the copula and see the construction methods used in building the church.

The baptismal font - as you can see, igloos are definitely a theme

Another very unique thing is Inuvik is the community greenhouse, the most northern greenhouse in North America and the only community greenhouse of its kind in the world.  The project that germinated in 1998, the facility is a conversion of an old arena.  The purpose of the green house is to ensure a more successful harvest and allow production of a greater variety of crops in an area where fresh, economical produce is often unavailable.  The building houses two areas; raised community garden plots available to residents and a 4000 sq.ft. commercial greenhouse.

The Great Northern Arts Festival is on right now in Inuvik and it was a real treat for me to be able to spend some time at it.  This is an annual celebration, featuring over 90 visual and performing artists gathered to celebrate northern art and culture.  The festival offers a professional gallery; a carving tent where you can watch the artists work; demonstrations and workshops where participants can try their hand at things like decorating a birch basket with porcupine quills, making a soapstone carving, and making a pair of sealskin slippers; as well there is an array of cultural performances including drumming, dancing, storytelling and live music.

I saw two groups perform while I was here, the Siglitmiut Drummers and Dancers and Kulavak.

Siglitmiut is the name for the coastal group of the Inuvialuit and Siglitun is their language - this is a dynamic young group from Tuktoyaktuk committed to keeping the traditions of drumming and dancing thriving in their community.

Inspired by their ancient Inuit culture, the two performers in Kulavak share one breath to create the very unique and beautiful sound called throatsinging.  Kulavak performed at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics as well as at other venues within Canada and internationally.  It was truly mesmerizing to listen to them.

Leaving the concert at about 10:30pm and this is what it looked like outside:

Me and my shadow walking back to the hotel, at about 10:45 pm

And as I was walking back to the hotel, what's one of the last things I should see during my time in the Northwest Territories but some mountain avens blooming - the national flower of the Northwest Territories.  It's the very end of their blooming season right now so it was quite special to see them.