DOG SLED MAIL RUN -- 1970

DOG SLED MAIL RUN -- 1970!

The history of dog sled mail was celebrated during the 1970 Centennial celebrations of the Northwest Territories…..As reported in the April 30, 1970 edition of THE DRUM,(believe it or not the 10 cent Inuvik newspaper of the day), “69 year old Aklavik native J.J. Stewart upheld a postal service tradition -- he got the mail through.  Unlike today’s modern flying mail carriers, J.J. relied on 6 tough huskies to complete the final leg of the 1300 mile 40 days Dog Sled Mail Run from Fort Smith to Inuvik.  That’s how it was done before airplanes took over and to commemorate the spirit and courage of the past, the run was re-enacted as part of the N.W.T.’s Centennial celebrations.”

“Starting on March 14^th the Run made stops and driver changes at Fort Providence, Fort Simpson, Fort Norman, Norman Wells, Fort Good Hope, Arctic Red River, Fort McPherson & Aklavik.  Over 4,000 pieces of mail were finally delivered to Inuvik postmaster Russ Cournoyea, most which were specially designed covers depicting a dog team”.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see and even own a few of those special covers?

“J.J.’s 50 mile trip took about 6 hours and his specially designed parka and gaily decorated dogs were colourful spectacles as they entered Inuvik’s snowless streets.  Ceremonies were brief……but in the evening at a cheerful banquet J.J. was presented with gifts from the Inuvik Centennial Committee…..After a delicious meal of buffalo meat and arctic char, the spirit of the past was relived again with old time dancing, featuring old timers from all over the Delta as well as Inuvik.  It was a fitting tribute to the dog sled mail runs of the past, stirring proud memories of the early days when man and dogs were masters of the north.”