INUVIK
Inuvik's churches might notice a steep decline in attendance on Sunday, thanks to a very different pilgrimage.

Anne Kokko, the tourism development officer for the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment office, says she's looking forward to seeing the reindeer crossing on the morning of March 29 on the ice road north of town. - Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo

Hundreds of people are expected to flock 75 km north of Inuvik on the Tuk ice road to take in the annual crossing of the 3,000-strong reindeer herd.

The herd is expected to cross the road between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., moving from its wintering grounds at Jimmy Lake north to Richards Island on the Beaufort Sea coast.

Richards Island provides the herd with protection from predators while the females calve.

The event is fast becoming a must-see spectacle.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of reindeer herding in Canada, and various partners, including the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC), the Town of Inuvik, and the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, are pitching in to make it a one-of-a-kind event.

On March 20, the IRC held a media conference to explain their preparations for the crossing and associated afternoon events at Reindeer Station to the south.

In 2013, hundreds of people made the trek north on the road to see the crossing, eclipsing the numbers in previous years, thanks in part to a social media marketing initiative by Jackie Challis, the Town of Inuvik's economic development and tourism manager. Previously, the crossing had attracted around 20 to 25 people.

"I was there when there were maybe 20 people," said IRC staff member Jiri Raska, who helps to organize the events.

"From that, it went to maybe 30 people, and then last year there was 250 people, according to Jackie. It was a huge change."

While the crossing is an annual event, Raska said it was only recently recognized as being of public interest.

"The Inuvialuit has a rich history with herding in this area," Raska said.

"Since the Inuvialuit do have that rich history, it's important to us to remember it, to celebrate it, and to get more people involved in the future of this herd, and I think that's the most important part.

"We'd love to see it become something that could be used to secure food for the region indefinitely, as it was intended to. But it's an expensive thing, and we're not there yet."

For many years, the crossing couldn't be pinpointed so precisely, added Peggy Jay, another IRC staff member, and often happened midweek.

Lloyd Binder, the herd manager, is now co-ordinating the crossing very carefully with some extra full-time help from experienced herders.

The event partners will have a parking lot cleared on the west side of the highway to accommodate spectators, and there will be a designated viewing area, including a section for elders.

Various foods will also be prepared and for sale on site, including fish.

Herders from Scandinavia and Russia will be in attendance as well, as part of a cultural exchange program.

"I'm so excited for this," exclaimed Anne Kokko, tourism development officer for the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment office, as she donned a set of toy antlers.

"It's a one-of-a-kind event."

Following the crossing, Reindeer Station will be open to visitors for the afternoon, to share some of the culture and history of the reindeer herding outpost.

A booth at the Muskrat Jamboree will be open on Saturday to mark the anniversary of reindeer herding - with a live reindeer on-hand to greet visitors.