When I walked into the Great Northern Arts Festival (GNAF) opening ceremony, I could not believe how many people were packed into the recreation centre's community hall.
In fact, by the time I arrived, there was only standing room available. I thought the festival would be like other events in town, but GNAF is undeniably a cornerstone of Inuvik's past, present and future arts and culture scene.
From the musical performances, the fashion show and the gallery, to the workshops, artist demonstrations and seminars, it is clear GNAF is a very special part of this community.
While the festival draws many visitors from all around Canada and even internationally, it still showcases Northern artists, and especially artists from the Delta.
The festival provides a space for artists to proudly show, share, and sell their work in the North, but on a national and international stage.
Co-manager of the gallery, Lyn Fabio, told me she thinks the festival is important to Inuvik because it provides visitors with the opportunity to learn about how the art is traditionally made.
"Because you can see the artists, and you can see them working, I think the people who come in to see that find it very exciting," said Fabio. "Sometimes people will come in and say they won't pay $600 for a pair of slippers, but then they see people working on them, or they take a workshop … they realize the value by exposure."
GNAF is one of the only places where this kind of sharing and connection can happen in the North. Anyone can go to the festival and learn how to make moccasins, or soapstone carvings, or beaded jewelry.
The availability of that kind of exchange is key to having a broader understanding of other cultures.
The festival also provides an important space for artists to connect with each other. Last week, when I was doing my research about how GNAF got started, I learned that it was originally put together by two people who saw the need for a space for artists in the Delta to connect.
It quickly grew from there to include more and more artists from the North, because there was a strong desire to share and connect with other artists.
Fabio told me that artists often end up meeting at the festival and collaborating on projects together.
The North is spread out and can sometimes be isolating, so the opportunity to meet and connect at a festival each year is invaluable for circumpolar artists and their admirers.