Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T., marks milestone in $54-million shoreline project

Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T. Mayor Erwin Elias wants his community to stay exactly where it is. 

"The biggest goal is to try not to move the community at the end of the day," said Elias on Saturday. "Mother nature will decide that though."

Tuktoyaktuk has just celebrated the completion of its shoreline revetment project, which laid down boulders and concrete along the shorelines of the community and the small island protecting the harbour from the ocean.

The project, which started two years ago, cost $54 million and was funded by the federal government. Some delays sourcing the gravel caused a slower first season, but the crews were able to complete the project this year.

Boulders were driven in from quarries near Inuvik. The project saw trucks driving the highway day and night to complete the work.

Elias said he's proud that the work done for the project was all local and the hamlet got funding directly from the federal government.

"I think we have proven a point, that we can complete a big project like this. [It's] so significant. We can do this as long as we have the support," said Elias. "This is an amazing accomplishment especially for a small community."

Northwest Territories Sen. Margaret Dawn Anderson agrees that the project is a great accomplishment for the community. 

"This project isn't just about infrastructure, it's about safeguarding our way of life, our culture and the land that sustained our people for generations," said Anderson.

She said the community has seen the damages of erosion and climate change since the 1950s.

"For us, this isn't a theoretical exercise. It's about protecting our families, our homes and our future," said Anderson.

To mark the occasion, members of the community and stakeholders were invited to a boat tour of the shoreline Saturday where guides gave information about the project.

"We wanted the community members to come out in boats to see it, so they could see the work that was done on the Tuk island," said Elias.

A community feast was held at Kitti hall, with Tuktoyaktuk drummers and dancers entertaining a full house of residents and tourists.