The Inuvialuit Settlement Region was primarily inhabited by Siglit Inuit until their numbers were decimated by the introduction of new diseases in the second half of the 19th century.

Nunatamiut, Alaskan Inuit, moved into traditional Siglit areas in the 1910s and 20s, enticed in part by renewed demand for furs from the Hudson's Bay Company and European markets.

[5][6] In the 1930s, the Inuvialuit were involved in a Canadian government scheme to introduce reindeer herding as the primary economic driver of the Western Arctic.

At tremendous expense, thousands of domesticated animals were herded from Alaska to the new Mackenzie Delta community of Reindeer Station.

Indigenous Sámi people were imported from Norway to teach Inuvialuit men how to care for their own individual herds.

[11] Other activities are seasonal:[12] Traditional games include:[13] The area of the land covered by the Inuvialuit Settlement Region is 521,707.68 km2 (201,432.46 sq mi).