Paulatuk became a settlement in the mid-1960s and a hamlet in 1987. Although neither community leaders or the territorial government know exactly when it happened, residents will celebrate it's 50th anniversary June 6. - photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons |
Paulatuk to celebrate 50 years of local government
Records don't specify exactly when community became
a settlement, elders say it happened in 1964 or 1965
Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Monday, May 25, 2015
PAULATUK
Paulatuk is getting ready to celebrate a half-century of local government ... or thereabouts.
The exact date and year that Paulatuk became a settlement is a bit of a mystery, but community leaders know documents were signed sometime in the mid-1960s so they've gone with June 6, 2015 for the day they will celebrate its 50th anniversary.
"We've been using mid-'60s," said Mayor Ray Ruben Sr.
"I actually went into it and tried to track down a document or whatever establishing our community, but the term mid-'60s was always used. We were established in mid-'60s. So what better time than 1965?"
Ruben believes some relevant documents have to exist somewhere but he hasn't found them while checking with government offices in Inuvik and Yellowknife.
"Nobody seems to be aware of any such documents anywhere," he said.
However, some elders say 1964 and others say 1965 as the year when the community started to develop and houses began to be built.
"It's the closest I can get," he said.
People have always spent time in the Paulatuk area, but moved around to various locations to hunt and fish. A mission was built there in the 1930s.
Many of the people worked on the DEW line, which monitored Canadian airspace during the Cold War.
Eventually these people began to settle in Paulatuk because it was a good area for food and there was coal available nearby.
The mayor's father, the late Garrett Ruben, served as the settlement chair and was the community's first mayor when it became a hamlet in 1987.
Prior to the hamlet being incorporated, Ray Ruben said his father was not called the mayor, but community leader, and used that role to speak to the government about getting more services for the community.
"It was only years later in the '70s that we started getting electricity and telephones and TVs, well after we were established as a settlement," he said.
For the June 6 celebration, which will be held in conjunction with Inuvialuit Day, there will be games, music, dancing and a barbecue, plus presentations and recognition of some community residents.
In addition, Ruben noted the Inuvialuit Communications Society is putting together a video showcasing the history of Paulatuk and how it developed.
A number of dignitaries from the GNWT and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation have also been invited to the special event.
Tom Williams, deputy minister of the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA), offered congratulations to Paulatuk on its anniversary.
"On behalf of the GNWT and MACA, I would like to congratulate the community for their 50th anniversary," he said.
"It's wonderful to see them celebrating their accomplishments and their history, and acknowledging achievements made by residents working together towards their common goals over the years. It's a proud accomplishment."
Williams noted many communities in the NWT were initially settlements and the federal government would appoint a "settlement maintainer" to act as a representative for the Crown.
"As things evolved and the Northwest Territories took over powers and authorities, legislation was developed and amended over time to give community governments more authorities and powers," he said.
"Settlements had very little authority. For example, they could not pass local bylaws."
The last three settlements in the NWT changed their status between 2000 and 2010.
Enterprise and Fort Resolution became hamlets, while Colville Lake dissolved its settlement council and programs are now being run by the Behdzi Ahda First Nation Band.
Like Ruben, Williams does not have the exact date that Paulatuk became a settlement.
"We looked through our records here and we actually couldn't find any records as well," he said.
Nunakput MLA Jackie Jacobson, whose district includes Paulatuk, also offered congratulations to the community.
"I'm really looking forward to going to the community and celebrating with everybody," he said.
The MLA, who is the speaker of the Legislative Assembly, will miss one day in the legislature so he can attend the event.
Jacobson said he believes such celebrations are good for community pride.
He said it especially helps young people learn more about where they live and what people did in the past to create a community.
