[6] Humans have occupied Tuktut Nogait since AD 1000 and recent surveys have identified over 400 archaeological sites in the park, including remnants of campsites, food caches, graves, and kayak rests.

In 1955, most people abandoned the Paulatuk mission and moved to Cape Parry where a Distant Early Warning (DEW) line site was being built, which meant seasonal construction and permanent wage labour work.

Currently, this takes place in the north-western part of the park and mostly entails fishing Arctic char, hunting caribou, and some trapping.

Current park initiatives include establishing a base camp facility at Uyarsivik Lake to support ecological integrity and cultural resource monitoring, visitor opportunities, management meetings and youth outreach; developing a cultural resource strategy; and updating interpretive materials such as the Hornaday River guide.

[8] The Bluenose East caribou herd began a recovery with a population of approximately 122,000 in 2010,[9] which is being credited to the establishment of Tuktut Nogait National Park.