Welcome to Boreal Books!

Our website is a catalogue of books, maps, northern art, music and native crafts that you will find in the store if you come to visit us. The art and crafts are bought directly from the people who make them here in the Western Arctic. If you won't be making the trip to the Arctic any time soon, please feel free to contact us either by email or phone and we will be happy to help you with making your purchase from a distance using PayPal and Canada Post.

Our store is located at 75 Mackenzie Road (Main Street) in Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada. Inuvik is located just North of the Arctic Circle and just south of the Beaufort Sea in Canada's Western Arctic. We're at the end of the Dempster Highway and at the entrance to the now famous Mackenzie River Ice Road. You can visit Inuvik by road for about 10 months in the year or by air via Yellowknife or Whitehorse at any time.

 

Welcome back Sun!

 

January 9, 2010, was the 23rd Annual Sunrise Festival in Inuvik. We had extra fun and amusement today as the Tropicana people endured -35C weather to make a commercial in the Arctic! We had a great show of fireworks and the clear cold skies are perfect for viewing the beautiful colours!

Updated on our website

We try to keep our website as up to date as possible - keep coming back to see new inventory and new events. Most recent update - January 10, 2010 - we're adding more photos and stock to the Arts & Fine Crafts inventory pages and the Gifts and Souvenirs - Jewellry and Crafts pages.

 

Check out the Photos page where I have added some photos from my fall drive on the Dempster Highway. I took photos every 30 km all the way up the Dempster from the Corner (near Dawson City) to Inuvik. I have now finished posting the photos all the way to Inuvik, so enjoy the trip.

 

  

New in the store

We have just put out 5 more Holman stencil prints by Mabel Nigiyok - these are 11x13" and have wonderful detail and colour. Check them out on our prints page in the Artworks and Fine Crafts section of the website.

We have a new DVD in the store Dog Gone Addiction is a film by Becky Bristow inspired by the women of the Yukon Quest.

Mary Okheena stopped by the store with some of her beautiful sewing - we have an embroidered applique wall hanging and some applique embroidered drum coasters - check our inventory pages.

Mukluks by Lena Wolki - beautifully done - a great addition to any northern wardrobe.

Just arrived in December a new shipment of chain maille earrings from Victor Whitewood. Victor's earrings, necklaces and bracelets have been popular sellers in the store over the last two years. While Victor is not technically a Northern artist, he does make beautiful jewelry. We'll be stocking up again in the New Year, so come on in and try some on!

New in our Music section

Stephen Kakfwi has just released two new CD's for his collection. Pick up one of the new CDs - New Strings on My Guitar and Spirit of Yamogha - Songs of the Dene.

or try one of the other CD's Last Chance Hotel or In the Walls of His Mind.

    

Dennis Allen was also in Inuvik recently - don't forget to check out his CD.

NEW RELEASE

Author Tommy Tee Thrasher is excited to have his new book Footprints to the Stars ready for you to purchase at our store.

!!! EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE AT BOREAL BOOKS!!!

This book was written by Tommy about his life here in the Western Arctic. Born near Paulatuk, Northwest Territories, in 1934, Tommy has led a fascinating life that combined the traditional life of this area with modern "town" life. The book includes a section of photographs from Tommy's family album.

Once you are done reading about Tommy's life, visit our Gifts and Souvenirs section to purchase traditional ulus, bone fish hooks and jiggling sticks made by the author.

 

FEATURED AUTHOR!!!

Keith Billington, author of Housecalls by Dogsled, visited Inuvik and Fort McPherson this September.

Keith and his wife, Muriel, lived in Fort McPherson in the 1960's as community nurses. He wrote about his experiences in his book and came to Inuvik to share stories and photos. Old friends and new came to listen to his talk at Cafe Gallery on the 1st. We have signed copies of his book in the store if you missed meeting Keith. This book is full of great stories about life in the North before the road system changed it completely - it makes an great Christmas present.

Keith Billington speaks while his wife, Muriel, and author Robert Alexie look on from the audience. Cafe Gallery provided great snacks and beverages for everyone there.