INUVIK - After years of collecting photos and recording information, Dick Hill is nearly ready to release his histories of Inuvik to the public.

Inuvik Centennial Library head librarian Bev Garven holds a copy of Dick Hill's book, Inuvik in Colour, which showcases the developmental stages of Inuvik and the early years of the community through photos. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

Hill has been working on the books since his retirement in 1995.

The main book is called Inuvik: a History and will be a detailed account of Inuvik's early years.

A smaller book of photos called Inuvik in Colour was previewed at the library this week.

The book features a collection of photos taken by Hill and others from archives in Yellowknife, Inuvik and Ottawa.

Hill said the goal of the books is to present a detailed overview of the growth of Inuvik.

"Inuvik in Colour is mainly photos of early community development," said Hill.

"The written book provides a detailed review of Inuvik's construction and evolution into a dynamic Northern community."

Hill first arrived in Inuvik in 1963 as the first director of the Inuvik Research Laboratory.

After spending years working with scientists and researchers in nearly every field, Hill said he became interested in the people around him.

"I soon found that people studies were more interesting than the hard sciences," he said.

"This led to my interest in community development and local politics.

"I was active in a group promoting self-government for Inuvik."

He said in the beginning, all community decisions were made by Ottawa.

"They were bureaucrats who had good intentions but were not sensitive to the overall needs of our remote citizens," said Hill.

Once people in the community saw a need for change, it wasn't long before the first forms of town council were taking shape.

"Although I arrived in Inuvik without an ounce of political blood in me, I was elected to the village council in 1968," said Hill.

Hill was elected the first mayor of the Town of Inuvik in 1971. He was also involved in the construction of Inuvik Centennial Library.

"My interest in the North and Inuvik led me to collect related books which filled our house on Boot Lake Road," he said.

When he left Inuvik, Hill thought the library could benefit from the collection he had at home.

"When we retired in 1995, I believed the books would be more valuable for Inuvik residents than in our new home in Ontario," said Hill.

The Dick Hill collection is available for browsing at the library, but all books must remain in the building.

Hill wanted to publish his books to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Inuvik, as a way to look back at the beginnings of the Northern community.

"As many Canadian communities don't last for 50 years, Inuvik's 50th anniversary is significant," he said.

Both books will be ready for distribution before July 2008.