QIKIQTAALUK REGION Resolute Bay Population: 258 The second northernmost community in Canada, Resolute Bay (Qausuittuq) is located in the High Arctic on the south coast of Cornwallis Island. The gateway to the High Arctic, Resolute Bay is the major stopover for expeditions to the North Pole and to Quttinirpaaq (Ellesmere Island) National Park, and a base for scientific research. There is a weather station as well as the Polar Continental Shelf Project research camp located within the community. Resolute s history has the most European influence of all the Nunavut communities. The site was a critical junction along the Northwest Passage, the famed route to Asia sought by European explorers in the 18th and 19th centuries. The community is named after the HMS Resolute, a British ship that was in search of the lost Franklin expedition. For more information about Resolute Bay, visit www.nunavuttourism.com/resolute.aspx. Grise Fiord Population: 157 The Most Northern Community of Canada, Grise Fiord is located in the High Arctic on Ellesmere Island, 76*25 00 N 82*54 00 W on the map. Picturesque and remote, it is surrounded by high hills and, for most of the year, sea ice. The local residents of the Hamlet call Grise Fiord Ausuiktuq, the place that never thaws out, referring to the glacier above and behind the mountains of the community. Visitors come to Grise Fiord to witness its spectacular beauty and wildlife. Researchers travel either to Ellesmere Island or to the famed Ancient Forest on Axel Heiberg Island. For more information about Grise Fiord, visit their website at www.grisefiord.ca.
Arctic Bay Population: 778 Arctic Bay, known to the Inuit as Ikpiarjuk, the pocket, is surrounded on three sides by high hills. Located on northern Baffin Island, it is a great place to experience the sights of narwhals, walruses, seals and other sea mammals. Each year on Canada Day, the area draws visitors from around the world for the Midnight Sun Marathon. During the run, the participants can view the spectacular panorama between Nanisivik and Arctic Bay. During the summer months, tourists also arrive on cruise ships to experience the sights and sounds of traditional Arctic Bay. Marble carvings, ivory sculptures, clothes, and other arts and crafts are viewed and purchased from talented local artists and seamstresses. For more information about Arctic Bay, visit www.nunavuttourism.com/arctic_bay.aspx. Pond Inlet Population: 1,481 Pond Inlet is located on the northeastern shore of Baffin Island, across from Bylot Island. It is known to the Inuit as Mittimatalik, the place where Mittima is buried. Although the name remains, the identity of Mittima is a mystery to the present-day people of Pond Inlet. Pond Inlet is one of Nunavut s treasure troves. The gorgeous scenery is a mix of mountains, glaciers and icebergs that attract many tourists from all over the world. There are many outfitters for hire that will readily take visitors out on dogsled or snowmobile to see the abundant wildlife and scenery that Pond Inlet has to offer. For more information about Pond Inlet visit www.nunavuttourism.com/pond_inlet.aspx. Clyde River Population: 928 Clyde River, which is Kangiqtugaapik (nice little inlet) to the Inuit, can be found on the eastern shore of Baffin Island in the shelter of Patricia Bay. It is located on a flood plain, surrounded by spectacular fiords that stretch all the way into the Barnes Icecap. The mountains, icebergs and glaciers in the Clyde River area attract rock and ice climbers from around the world. There is also a multitude of animals to be seen, including caribou, narwhals and other sea mammals. The Iqalirtuuq National Wildlife Area, a protected bowhead whale sanctuary, is located in Patricia Bay.
The Clyde River Economic Development Society is a non-profit organization of community members that oversee new development projects for their community. The society has been paying special attention to economic pursuits in the areas of tourism, community micro businesses, arts and crafts, and export development. Potential exports include halibut and shrimp, clams, seal and caribou meat. For more information about Clyde River, visit www.nunavuttourism.com/clyde_river.aspx. Igloolik Population: 1,711 Igloolik (a place of igloos) is located on a small island in Foxe Basin, just off Melville Peninsula on the mainland of Nunavut. Although Igloolik is part of the Qikiqtani or Baffin region, there exists a mix of Inuit cultural traditions from each of the three regions. Igloolik is a community that balances modern living with a traditional way of life. This balance is illustrated by Isuma Production s Atanarjuat, the award winning movie based on traditional legend. For more information about Igloolik, visit www.nunavuttourism.com/igloolik.aspx. Qikiqtarjuaq Population: 553 Qikiqtarjuaq, formerly known as Broughton Island, is located just off the east coast of Baffin Island, 97 km north of Arctic Circle. Although the island is referred to as the big island as its Inuktitut name suggests, the island is in fact only 12 km wide by 16 km long. One of the more traditional communities in Nunavut, Qikiqtarjuaq is known for its traditional Inuit and modern clothing, including sealskin parkas and kamiik (boots). Abundant wildlife and beautiful scenery attract visitors to Qikiqtarjuaq. The northern trailhead of the world renowned Auyuittuq National Park can be accessed via Qikiqtarjuaq. The community offers a range of tours and outfitters for tourists to accommodate the increasing number of cruise ships that are visiting the community each year. Qikiqtarjuaq is also known as the Iceberg and Diving Capital of Nunavut. The community has several local certified divers available for hire throughout the diving season. For more information about Qikiqtarjuaq, visit www.nunavuttourism.com/qikiqtarjuaq.aspx.
Hall Beach Population: 725 Hall Beach is located on the shore of Foxe Basin on the Melville Peninsula. Hall Beach was created when a Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line site was built in the area in 1957 to help monitor Canadian airspace in the Far North. Although the DEW line is no longer operational, there is a more technologically advanced North Warning System radar site in the community to replace it. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Inuit moved from surrounding camps to work around the DEW line site and the community was born. Hall Beach is considered one of the more traditional communities in Nunavut. The traditional name for Hall Beach is Sanirayak or one that is along the coast. Hall Beach is a spectacular place to see walruses, seals, waterfowl and other arctic wildlife; fishing for arctic char is superb. For more information about Hall Beach, visit www.nunavuttourism.com/hall_beach.aspx. Pangnirtung Population: 1,506 Settled at the bottom of a mountain, at the mouth of a river and surrounded by spectacular fiords, Pangnirtung (Panniqtuuq place of caribou bulls) is located on Baffin Island, in Cumberland Sound. Known to outdoor enthusiasts as the gateway to the famous Auyuittuq National Park, there are many attractions for visitors to this community. Pangnirtung is famed for its art and one of the great attractions is the Uqqurmiut Inuit Arts Centre. The Artist Association of the centre welcomes visitors to see the print and weave shops, which create beautiful woven tapestries and prints. The acclaimed Pang hats, colorfully-patterned crocheted toques made by local craftspeople, can also be purchased at the centre s gift shop. Pangnirtung Fisheries contributes to the community s economy through the harvesting and processing of arctic char and Baffin turbot (Greenland halibut). Employees at the newly modernized processing plant prepare the daily catch of fish for shipment to international locations. For more information about Pangnirtung, visit their website at www.pangnirtung.ca.
Iqaluit Population: 7,152 Iqaluit, formerly known as Frobisher Bay, is the business and government centre for the Baffin region, and as of April 1, 1999, the capital of the new territory of Nunavut. Located on the southern portion of Baffin Island on Koojesse Inlet, Iqaluit (place of fish) is the largest community in Nunavut and the gateway to the Arctic from Eastern Canada. Iqaluit has experienced remarkable growth between the years of 1998 and 2009. Residents have witnessed a surge of new building construction such as the new legislative building and office buildings, as well as new residences to house the growing population. Many new companies and government offices have opened their doors to meet the demands of expansion. Economic growth is expected to proceed in Iqaluit, however at a steadier pace than the sudden increase experienced in recent years. Growth sectors will be in government, hospitality and tourism, retail trade, and the service sector. Service to business and government has been and will continue to be an important aspect of Iqaluit s economic development. Recognized service sector growth opportunities for Iqaluit are in the areas of real estate, privatization of support services, financial services, mining and exploration, and expediting. For more information about Iqaluit, please visit: www.city.iqaluit.nu.ca/i18n/english. Cape Dorset Population: 1,427 The Inuktitut name for Cape Dorset, Kingait, refers to the picturesque hills that surround the community. Located on southwestern Baffin Island, Cape Dorset has been inhabited for over 1000 years. Thule and Inuit archeological sites are located in the Mallikjuaq Historic Park, adjacent to the community. Cape Dorset has an international reputation for Inuit Art specifically print making and stone carvings. Inuit art enthusiasts from around the world travel to Cape Dorset where they can meet with local acclaimed artists and visit the West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative, where prints and carvings are displayed and sold. Many of the local artists have also shown their work at international art shows and galleries. Growth sectors, which will increase economic development, have been recognized as government and the tourism industry. The residents see tourism as their community s most important asset. In order to expand the tourism business, residents agree that training in the areas of business management, hospitality, outfitting and arts and craft production is mandatory in order to successfully develop and maintain the industry. For more information about Cape Dorset, visit www.capedorset.ca/en/index.asp.
Kimmirut Population: 466 The community of Kimmirut (hill that looks like a heel), previously known as Lake Harbour, is a picturesque town located on the southern coast of Baffin Island, near the mouth of the Soper River. Hikers access the Katannilik Territorial Park Reserve from just outside the community. Other outdoor pursuits enjoyed in the area are sea kayaking, canoeing, and hunting. Kimmirut has a lot to offer its visitors; residents are continuing to promote their community s tourism industry from both within and outside the territory. Such efforts have resulted in cruise ship stops, guide and outfitting services and a community website. Many of Kimmirut s residents are renowned carvers whose art is sold and collected worldwide. For more information about Kimmirut, visit their website at: www.kimmirut.ca. Sanikiluaq Population: 830 Sanikiluaq (named after hunter Sandy Killuaq), the most southerly community of Nunavut, is located on the Belcher Islands in the Hudson Bay. The terrain is composed of many rocky cliffs that tower 50 to 155 meters above sea level. Many of these cliffs are nesting grounds for eider ducks, whose feathers (eiderdown) are collected from nests and made into duvets and outerwear. Sanikiluaq carvers are known worldwide for their distinctive carvings made from argillite, the dark stone found on the Belcher Islands. For more information about Sanikiluaq, visit their website at: www.sanikiluaq.ca.