Jan 9 – Inuvik
Our last day in the Arctic was a leisure day to do some shopping in Inuvik and stop at the “Igloo Church” which is actually the Our Lady of Victory Church. It is a wonderful built Catholic Church built in the shape of an igloo with a dome within a dome and a cupola on top. It is probably the most iconic building in the city and it fits in well based on the history of the region. It was built in two years and was completed in 1960. It is also the only building in the area not constructed on pilings but rather on a bowl-shaped foundation.
There were a variety of souvenir stores in Inuvik some of which are open in the winter months. Things, however, are a bit limited as the main tourism season is in the Spring and Summer. Those in our group were pleased however with the selection of options available. Everything from mukluks (boots), books, beaded moose-hides, t-shirts, key-chains, fur gloves and artwork. It is obvious everywhere that fur pelts were and are an important part of the way of life in the North. Even more obvious when trying to stay dry and warm in the dead of winter.