Residents of Tuktoyaktuk are currently busy raising funds for the upcoming Beluga Jamboree, a beloved annual celebration of Inuvialuit culture that returns to the community in late April 2026. Community members, including Angela Cockney, are actively selling raffle tickets to support the event, with prices set at $10 each or $100 for a full book. Organizers are also holding a separate raffle for a snowmobile to help boost the total funds raised.
The Jamboree will be hosted at Kitti Hall, the main community centre for the hamlet. As the primary venue, the hall is operated by the local Recreation Department and can accommodate more than 249 people at a time. The event serves as a significant marker of spring and celebrates the return of the beluga whales to the Arctic coast, a tradition that remains central to the identity of the approximately 965 people living in this Northwest Territories hamlet.
This year’s festivities will feature a variety of traditional games, activities, drum dancing, and royalty contests. The event has a deep history in the community, with celebrations of this tradition dating back more than 50 years. The community’s dedication to the event is reflected in its history of active participation, including the recognition of longtime volunteers like Bill and Lucy Cockney, who were honoured during the 2023 celebration.
Residents interested in supporting the Jamboree or participating in the raffles are encouraged to contact the organizers directly. The celebration stands as a testament to the ongoing commitment of the local Inuvialuit community to preserve and share their heritage.
