Reclaiming the Land: A New Paradigm for the Future of Tuktoyaktuk

The Inuvialuit nation has a unique understanding of the land after inhabiting it and utilizing its resources for millennia making it extremely vulnerable to the consequences of climate change in the Arctic. Hence, the ecological forces at play erode the Arctic shorelines and shift the marine ecosystem. The village of Tuktoyaktuk sits within the context of severe land loss where cultural activities and education are practiced. This thesis investigates particular intersections of architecture with the pressing questions of the Inuvialuit constructs of place, tradition, knowledge and ecology. An exploration is conducted to develop architectural representation practices inclusive of the Western and Inuvialuit traditions. Intrinsically, this thesis studies the traditional place of the Inuvialuit to speculate on a proactive architecture response to the ecological and cultural changes taking place in Tuktoyaktuk. Ultimately, the thesis seeks to provoke necessary discussions to empower architecture to incorporate traditions and vernacular spaces on the coast.