The Inuvialuit (Inuit language: real human beings) are Inuit people who live in the western Canadian Arctic region. They are decendants of the Thule, of which other decendants inhabit Russia and parts of Scandinavia. Their homeland covers the area from the Alaska border and east to Amundsen Gulf and the western Canadian Arctic Islands. The land was claimed in 1984 by the Inuvialuit Final Agreement. The area of the land is 91,000 square kilometres and includes the towns and hamlets of Inuvik (population approx. 3000), Aklavik (population approx. 1000), Tuktoyaktuk (population approx. 800), Sachs Harbour (population approx. 200), Paulatuk (population approx. 200), and Holman (population approx. 150).

Languages

• Inuvialuktun language is the traditional language spoken by the Inuvialuit people, although many Inuvi. This language has three dialects:
  • Kangiryuarmiutun (AKA: Inuinnaqtun): spoken mainly in the community of Holman
  • Sigliq: spoken mainly in the communities of Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour and Tuktoyaktuk
  • Uummarmiutun: spoken mainly in the communities of Inuvik and Aklavik