Stephanie Yuill

Even better, I am here during the 25th anniversary of the park’s establishment. I can’t think of better timing. I get to celebrate not only Tuktut Nogait itself, but I get to honour those whose vision and hard work created the park.

Tuktut Nogait to me is about people. Living in the hamlet, I’ve seen first-hand how intimately tied Inuvialuit are to their land. Traditions of whaling, caribou hunting, goose egg harvesting, and fish netting are part of everyday life. The cycles of the seasons and the light still influence work and play. On my daily walks out on the land, it’s not unusual to pass active hunting blinds and fishing nets or people relaxing at their camps. You cannot live in Paulatuuq and not feel the pull of the land.

People are also the reason the park is here. The BlueNose West caribou herd and the Tundra Natural Hills Region are the reasons the park exists. However, it was a passionate and dedicated group of people that banded together to protect this vital landscape and the life it sustains. Without the vision and hard work of Inuvialuit negotiators and the protection provided by Parks Canada’s mandate and staff, the land may have remained unprotected. I am grateful to every one of them that I can see water, flora, and fauna that have remained almost unchanged in hundreds of years.

There are over 350 archaeological sites in the park, reminding us of those who came before us. Humans have occupied the area since 1000 AD.

—Stephanie Yuill

People are also the history of the park. There are over 350 archaeological sites in the park, reminding us of those who came before us. Humans have occupied the area since 1000 AD. Older sites are likely Thule and Copper Inuit, while more recent sites are Inuvialuit.

In 2003 I visited Pier 21 in Halifax. This is where my war-bride grandmother landed in 1946 when she migrated to Canada after WWII. As I leaned against a door where the migrants entered Canada, the interpreter noted I could be touching the exact same spot my grandmother did 57 years before. What a pow!

This summer, I was honoured to be in a different position. We organized a culture camp in the park for Paulatuuq residents. It was my turn to watch youth and Elders alike see the caches, tent rings, and qayaq stands of their ancestors for the first time. Could their greatgreat-great-grandfather have perched his qayaq on the stand that lays before us? Tuktut Nogait connects people through generations.

Tuktut Nogait National Park is also for the people of Canada. Few people see the park in person. It’s remote, expensive to get to, and has limited visitor infrastructure. Those who do make the effort to visit experience the trip of a lifetime. Plus, they don’t have to compete with crowds for the best views or a prime campsite!

Fortunately, through the wonders of the Internet, everyone can see and learn more about this amazing piece of natural and cultural history. Pictures may not do it justice, but I encourage everyone to type Tuktut Nogait into their Internet browser. Explore our rolling tundra, thundering La Roncière falls, pristine lakes, meandering streams, vast rivers, and canyons that appear to be designed by Gothic architects! Read about the inspirational Thule and Copper Inuit and learn more about the resilient Inuvialuit whose backyard is Tuktut Nogait.

Inspired to visit now? Excellent! I’ve done my job!