DEW Line Construction Begins

1955AD

1950–1995

The Government of Canada partners with the US to build the Distant Early Warning Line radar installations across the Arctic to detect Soviet missiles. Eight facilities were eventually built in Inuvialuit territory at Cape Parry, Shingle Point, Tuktuuyaqtuuq, and other locations, offering some building and training opportunities to Inuvialuit.

Children at Tuktuuyaqtuuq in 1966 with the ‘BAR 3’ DEW Line site in the background. Left to right: Karen Gruben, Audrey Norberg, Eileen Pokiak, July 1966. Photo credit: Missionary Oblates, Grandin Archives at the Provincial Archives of Alberta, OB.22074.