Life At The End Of The Road, The Arctic Circle. Canada's Northern Most Town, Tuktoyaktuk.

The Arctic Circle has been a dream trip for me for many years, but not just across the line, I wanted to get to the very top. As far as you can drive! Last week we got to share the glorious drive to the top, up the Dempster Highway, and this week we are taking a closer look at life in Tuktoyaktuk.

The hardest part of this weeks video was to get my film permit signed and processed, because the locals themselves were eager and excited to get involved. We had several amazing opportunities around town that I wasn't even able to film yet, simply because the locals wanted to share the experiences. We were even able to participate in the processing, cooking and eating of a Beluga Whale.

Once my permit was approved, I had to get right to business, and luckily I had already met both of my interviewees while participating in activities around the town. What I learned from speaking with these women was of course insightful, but I learned so much more just being in the community. Life in Tuktoyaktuk, as much as the locals don't realize, is so different. The energy is calm, the people are relaxed, and smiles are shared everywhere. I think that this energy comes from the simple fact that people have to survive here. Remoteness is just one of the many dangers of living along the Arctic Ocean. Access to electricity, food, firewood, gas and diesel, supplies, and help, is all very limited. To live here, you have to be resourceful, strong, and possess a different skillset that anywhere else in the world. When you take all of that into account, you will see that the problems of "normal life" are quite minor.

Primary transportation around Tuk is by Quad in the summer and snowmobile in the winter. This may be something you expect to see, but when you arrive and actually see the streets bustling with locals on quads, people drying fish and processing whales, kids playing at all hours of the consistently bright days, it is more that you can comprehend outside of seeing it in person. During our stay, I spend many hours studying the habits and patterns of the local people, and the way life happens in this little town is so fascinating and different.

Every day, a new wave of tourists rattle into town after a long trip up the Dempster Highway, and in the morning they will be off to rejoin society in the south. Some will buy souvenirs, or participate in a local activity, but for the most part, they only come to dip a toe into the Arctic Ocean. We were here for two weeks, and we saw this phenomenon on repeat, and it is something I will never understand. Of all the places I have traveled, Tuktoyaktuk is arguably the greatest undertaking, and upon arrival you are welcomed with the most unbelievable campground on the Arctic Ocean. The sun may not have set until 3:00, but the sunset is incredible right from the window of the camper. You can buy dried fish and art from locals that visit the campers each day. Even with all of this, the culture and the views, the miles and challenges of the trip, people only stay for one night. I hope that this video can help change this.

Tuktoyaktuk is a beautiful community, but it is different in more ways to the rest of the world than is is the same. It has only been accessible to tourists since 2017, so this is still a learning curve for the locals, and it is also quickly disappearing. The erosion on the peninsula has been determined to be irreversible, and the residents of Tuktoyaktuk have between 30 and 50 years before they have to relocate entirely. If you are interested in a trip to Tuktoyaktuk, I encourage you to try and have an interest in Tuktoyaktuk its self. Spend some time and learn from these people and their way of life. Purchase some of the local goods and support the people and economy. Being so far away from anything else, it is so easy to forget about a small community and the handful of people that call it home, but this has been their home for thousands of years, and as humans it is our responsibility to preserve that. When the community officially relocates, I hope that there will be a great chronicling of the history here, because once it is gone there is no reclaiming it, and as tourists we can be a huge help.

If you do not have a chance in your lifetime to visit Tuk, then I hope you enjoyed experiencing it with me, and I thank you very much for watching.

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[blong]

Once again, Dustin, you told a story of a people that a lot of other people don't know exist. So thank you very much. As far as the campers who come in of the evening and leave in the morning. I would say they were simply fulfilling a bucket list. But you, Dustin, you see the value of the places and people you visit. Once again, telling a real story. I have to say, DA is not like many of the YouTube channels you see. They are simply here to entertain. DA actually has value and meaning. So thank you, Dustin, for your hard work in putting all this together.

[asimplehorseman]

A special thank you to the ladies that granted you interviews this weeks. I enjoyed hearing them.

[dergthefarmer]

My dad worked in Tuk almost 50 years ago and I was amazed that he went up there for a couple months to work on the barges.
Dustin, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for showing me where my #1 hero worked ❤

[quarlow]

Many people are just tourists. They see the places but don't see the people. They see the sights but don't connect with the life. You have an eye for all things that comes with these adventures. Love it Dustin. Can't wait for next week but every week that goes by gets close to the end of this years journey.

[Bluebottlenose]

Seeing the culture of all these remote towns you visit is so cool

[MrTonyPiscatelle]

If it weren't for your amazing talents and determination we probably would not ever see the things you bring to share with us. Awesome Dustin, simply amazing.

[johnmuhic]

Two coffee video. Nice.
Started watching, and about four minutes in, I had to pause due to some dust in my eye. Yah, dust. I kept hearing a word repeated by the people you interviewed. "Community".
Growing up in Rupert, I went to school with First Nation kids at Conrad elementary. They took the ferry from Metlakatla everyday. I witnessed horrible racism back in the 70's, and could never understand why so much hate. Then I grew up, and discovered how Canadian history had been "white-washed". I had witnessed generational trauma from the forced assimilation imposed upon First Nations by our government, way before I was here. The fact that these human beings in the North have kept their community alive, is a testament to their spirit. Hard core.
I learned a long time ago, judge a person by what is inside, not how they look. We are all connected. We are all in this together. I love how you show respect to the locals when visiting and area Dustin. Thank you for this footage. First Nation are some of the most resilient humans I have ever met in my life. Those living in the arctic, are on another level.
Great Job, safe travels, cheers.

[niemi]

At 26:26 the abandoned camp in the background was built by ATCO for Dome petroleum. I worked on it for ATCO back in'82 when it was built. I was there again in '83 when Esso Resources built theirs. They were base camps for their offshore explorations. Made a lot of money on these projects. It was a million dollar experience that I wouldn't repeat for a nickel. Working outside all year 12 hr. days, 7 days a week. I have to admit that the people and the environment appealed to me and I regret never returning as a tourist.

[bobporterNFLD]

Anywhere is beautiful, if it's where you want to be. They seem happy. Bless all of you!!

[MikeHcan]

We could learn so much from indigenous people. Their strong ties to family, community, friendship, sharing resources, and looking after the land and each other, is so inspiring. Thank you for highlighting their way of life, stories, and experiences. The world needs more of this.

[jerrybruce]

My wife watched this episode with me. She remembers going to the school for a dance recital and then everyone sleeping in the gym.
The wife says the town has changed a lot since then
It was great to see the community
Thank You

[albertalakeland]

I always appreciate the interviews you do. You may not consider what you do to be a service to our country, but it contributes to weaving the tapestry of Canada, and its citizens.

Thank you.

[lesliespeck]

Cannot tell you the joy I get from seeing places I'll never get to visit in person. Thank you so much.

[ronrentenaar]

Just great! Love your program. I was an engineer for Dome in the early 80s and part of the group that was responsible for all the shored-based infrastructure design and installation here and in McKinley Bay, 100km further north. We’re all retired now but I’m still in contact with 3 of the group. It was a large operation supporting about 1200 people on and off-shore. The camp had accommodations and offices for the support staff as well as for crew rotations to the ships. The airport was enlarged by us to support the daily Dome’s Boeing 737 plus a fleet of helicopters and other fixed-wing aircraft. The hanger, if it is still there, has quite the floor design. Because of the permafrost the floor is up on piles and made from 4x12 joists nailed side by side, solid. The warehouses near the camp have ducted foundations that require fans in the winter to refreeze the permafrost after every summer season. The tank farm you show, would have contained all the fuel for the ships, electricity generators, and aircraft. The tanks sit on huge insulated pads to protect the permafrost. In your film, you briefly show the steel caison sitting in the water. That was an ice-breaking/protection system for artificial islands in the Beaufort Sea, to support drilling rigs. This was Esso’s version (a late-comer to this oilpatch) of what Dome was doing out at Tarsuit and with the SSDC (a caison designed out of a half-section of a repurposed oil tanker). On route towards Dome’s camp, you passed several houses. Originally there were 4 and were used by Dome’s executives when they were in town. We were asked not to go into town as not to disturb the community but many of the townspeople did work for Dome (or Canmar, its drilling subsidiary). Before the Dempster, you drove out of town via the ice road built every winter on the Mackenzie River. Thanks Dustin. Many more stories here!

[EvanSpellman]

Chris Samuelson went up there in 1985, he read in the newspaper that esso resources was selling the 65' crew boat "Sarpik" so he left Bella Coola BC and flew to Tuk. He bought the boat and followed the convoy of other ships going south after ice break up. It cost him $10k in fuel to drive home to Bingo Bongo CB. Some American offered him 4x his purchase price when he transited through Alaska.Chris also bought a tugboat from there, had it shipped down the Mackenzie river by barge then railroaded to Vancouver BC, then he drove it to Bella Coola. The tug was sold about 10 years ago to tadpole towing Oona River BC on Porcher Island.the tug still comes into Prince Rupert quite frequently. Happy Arctic journeys to Destination Adventure

[oxbowflatsfarm]

I look forward to your videos every week, and every week, you do not disappoint. This is the best channel on YT by an arctic mile. We are originally from the South Okanagan in BC but moved to southern Mexico in Oct 21 to escape the madness. The only thing I miss is the landscape and the scenery, but having your channel has filled that void. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Dusttn! Cheers from Puerto Escondido Oaxaca

[patrickspillane]

great respect Dustin speaking to the older generation for there history and listening to there stories.

[donnaarandt]

What an amazing community. Thank you for letting us be able to see it. Appreciate all the work you do.

[brokendowndog]

Thanks for the great tour of Tuk Dustin. I love the way the people understand all the commercial conveniences of life aren't necessary to have a happy life. They love the land, and that brings them their joy.

[dcglasgo]

Thank you Dustin for the absolutely top quality of videos you release with the stories of locals you tell.