Back in September 2024 after returning from the Northwest Territories’ village of Ulukhaktok, Linda Tutt compared the cost of food in the north to St. Albert grocery prices.
Tutt is chair of St. Vincent de Paul’s North of 60 project within St. Albert. The North of 60 Project is an initiative that provides food relief and other necessities to northern and arctic communities. The project collects and fills sea-cans with pallets of much needed groceries, clothes, recreational items, musical instruments and craft materials.
At the time Walmart was selling a kilogram of fresh asparagus for $15.50, a fresh fruit tray for $12.97, a 585-gram box of Cheerios for $5.47, McCain frozen cake for $6.57 and a can of Campbell’s chunky soup for $2.97.
Up north in Ulukhaktok, a hamlet of 450 residents on Victoria Island, prices were astronomical in comparison. The asparagus was priced at $30.59 per kilogram. Cheerios were tagged at $16.79, McCain’s frozen cake at $20.99, and Campbell’s Chunky Soup at $10.39.
“The food bank is our main mission. If we can do that and help feed families and those in need, that’s our focus. But in this partnership, it’s a two-way street. We learn about their culture as they learn about ours,” said Tutt.
The Inuvialuit village sustains itself through hunting, trapping, fishing and printmaking. Other sources of income are delicately created arts and crafts eagerly sought by tourists.
According to Statistics Canada, the average personal income at Ulukhaktok is $26,000 and the average household income is $80,000. Canada-wide, the average personal income is $42,000 while the average household income is $84,00. In the last two decades, Uluhaktok’s income has nearly doubled but it doesn’t reflect the high cost of living.
Tutt’s delegation, with support from Holy Family Parish and St. Albert Parish, once more filled a 20-foot sea can with donations valued at $25,000. In addition to food, other items sent north have included hockey sticks, mattresses, toddler clothing, hand-knit blankets, toques, work gloves, bedding, feminine pads, toilet paper and soap.
“What we do is important. It’s an affirmation that what we send is what they need and use, and it’s making a big difference in their lives,” Tutt said.
In addition to Ulukhaktok, SSVP also fills sea cans delivered by truck and barge to Inuvik, Tsiigenhtchic, Fort McPherson, Tuktoyaktuk, Paulatuk, Aklavik, Sachs Harbour, and Fort Good Hope.
The 2025 St. Albert sea can received its last donations on Sunday, May 11 and by Thursday, May 15 it was being trucked to Tuktayuktuk and later ferried to Ulukhaktok. It usually arrives in September.
Most of the groceries are destined for the food bank, which has a list of 30 recipients.
“It opens once every two weeks. There’s a rule that you must be disabled, elderly or have a low income. Whatever we send is always greatly appreciated.”
In addition to a food bank, the community has a school, a government office, a recreation centre, a teen centre, a health clinic, three stores, a golf course, and a Catholic church currently undergoing renovations as a museum.
“They even had a few Oilers golf on the course a few years ago.”
With the price of basic goods in flux, costs continue to spiral upwards while incomes are flatlining. SSVP is hosting a fundraiser to offset this year’s costs. Trucking fees to the nine communities alone is $100,000.
SSVP is hosting Building Hope & Dignity, its first fundraising gala on Thursday, June 5, at Chateau Lacombe. Sister Fay, recipient of the Governor General Polar Awards will be guest speaker. Sister Fay, while posted in the north two decades ago, noticed the lack or resources and brought it to the attention of SSVP.
The gala evening of fine dining is $250 per person. Music and a live auction to follow. Three big prizes are a flight for two to Trappers Lodge in Northwest Territories to see the Aurora Borealis, a flight on a private jet to Kelowna for golf and two nights accommodation for four, and a new Lexus to drive to Jasper Park Lodge and two nights accommodation.
For more information email [email protected] or call 825-582-7782.
