Ulukhaktok Welcome Guide: Insights from Local Teachers
We thought it might be helpful to have an unofficial welcome guide for what you can expect when moving here. Check the Drop Down Menus for tips and important information from existing and former teachers from Ulukhaktok. Life here can be very wonderful if you are prepared. If you don’t have your BDEC email yet, use the contact form below if you want to reach out Dave and Allison.
We are Allison and David Leitch, with our little son Magnus. Next year will be our fifth year teaching in Ulukhaktok. We taught in Prince George, BC before we moved here. Allison has taught grade 1-6 classes, and Dave teaches mixed grade technology and culinary arts classes. We won’t have all the answers, and we are not administration, but please reach out if you have any questions about the town or living here. We were excited but also terrified when we first moved up here.
Nicolas Kopot, who I’m sure you’ve spoken with, is the school principal. He worked as a teacher here before becoming the principal after some time working in Tsiigehtchic. Jasmine Kopot is a Ulukhaktok local and a elementary teacher here at the school. Nick will be your main contact for any questions you have about the town or school.
WHAT TO BRING? WHAT TO SHIP?
Ship up LARGE items with your relocation because to order anything large or heavy up after you move is extremely expensive: Microwave, comfy bed, couch, recliner, table and chairs, TV, etc.
Try to bring stuff you might be willing to leave when you move back south. You get a set rate for removal if you complete your contract. It often makes more sense to sell what you have here and pocket the money.
Your cargo shipping can take a while to get here. Bring essentials for a couple weeks in your suitcases. Many teachers have had their cargo delayed by weeks after they get here, but don’t worry, we will help if that happens!
No addresses. Not all houses have numbers or street names. Use: 1 School Road, Ulukhaktok, X0E 0S0 if you need an address for your moving company. The movers are used to coordinating with housing and the school to get stuff to the right place when they get here.
Bring essentials and medical supplies. It takes an average of two weeks (but can be much longer) to get things in the mail.
Renew driver’s licenses, passports, essential documents, before you come up here. You can’t do any of it in person up here locally.
Look into a TD Bank Aeroplan credit card for flight points. We save thousands on flights with Canadian North.
YOUR FIRST FEW DAYS
Set up PO box at the post office in the Co-op. The number of boxes is limited
If you need water or sewer sucked out, call Hamlet (867) 396-8000
Go to Housing to set up payments
Set up power: NWT Powercorp https://www.ntpc.com/
Talk to someone who is living here now
LIVING HERE
Set up Auto Pay for Hamlet
No Pets (except for birds and fish) in housing is being enforced now.
Everything is trucked in and out. The houses have diesel for heating, water, and sewer trucked in and our several times a week.
Power outages happen frequently. They usually don’t last long but be prepared. Your water runs on an electric pump so keep an extra jug of water handy.
USE A SURGE PROTECTOR for important electronics! We lost our Startlink to a power surge.
Shipping with Shoppers, London drugs, best buy sometimes, and Temu is cheap or free
Get a Coop account, we have made over $1400 being a member here in four years
Build connections, participate.
Someone telling you about an event is usually an invite.
If you enjoy living here, buy a snowmobile right away. The staff who bough one only regret not buying it sooner, and the staff that didn’t buy one wish they had. You can sell them before you leave and resale is high. Talk with the staff here before you buy.
PHONE NUMBERS AND HOURS
Co-op – Mon-Fri 10:00-12:00, 1:00- 6:00, Sat Sun 1:00-4:00
Co-op Post Office closes at 5:00 weekdays
Northern – Mon-Fri 10:00- 6:00, Sat Sun 1:00-4:00
Medical Center (867) 396-3111
Hamlet (water and sewer) (867) 396-8000
After hours water and sewer (after 5:00) Doug Goose (867) 787-0217
Housing (867) 396-3562
Leitch Tech 