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Nunavut
OUR LAND
Untamed, unspoiled, undiscovered
After decades of isolation, Canada's North may finally be
on the verge of a new golden age after the creation of Nunavut, Canada's
newest and largest territory.
With its capital in Iqaluit, the new government is focusing on developing the
cultural and natural assets of a region rich in both. Certainly in terms of
art the Inuit have already made an indelible mark far to the south.
Distinctive soapstone carvings and breathtaking prints have long captured the
imagination of art enthusiasts around the world, and today are being produced
by a whole new generation of artists.
A tradition of stewardship has also ensured the entire region remains rich in
wildlife. Huge herds of caribou still roam in an utterly wild landscape, while
wolves and foxes that would be terrified of humans elsewhere, walk by
nonchalantly. It is a land rife with photographic opportunities, and cradling
the breeding grounds of dozens of bird species, Nunavut is a birdwatcher's
paradise.
Nunavut comprises a major portion of Northern Canada, and
most of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, making it the fourth-largest country
subdivision in the world. The capital Iqaluit (formerly "Frobisher Bay") on
Baffin Island, in the east, was chosen by the 1995 capital plebiscite.
It has a population of 29,474 mostly Inuit, spread over an area the size of
Western Europe. Nunavut is also home to the northernmost permanently inhabited
place in the world, Alert.
Iqaluit, Nunavut.
Iqaluit
The Capital of Nunavut
Iqaluit, formerly known as Frobisher Bay, is the capital
and administrative centre of Canada's newest territory, Nunavut.
Recorded history of Iqaluit dates back to 1576, when Martin Frobisher arrived
at this port city, although modern-day Nunavut has sustained a population for
at least 4000 years.
Situated in the hills overlooking the Koojesse Inlet, Iqaluit is located east
of Nunavut's mainland and north of Quebec on Baffin Island, and is only
accessible via aircraft, dogsled, snowmobile and some boats.
A gateway to the secret world of the arctic north, this community is known for
its Inuit-inspired architecture, most notably the igloo-shaped St. Jude's
Anglican Church, and museums, including the Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum,
which showcases an impressive collection of Inuit and Arctic items.
Iqaluit also has a number of galleries showcasing Inuit art work, available
both for viewing and for purchase. Explore arctic landscape and ruins of
structure built by the Thule people at nearby Qaummaarviit Territorial
Historic Park.
Inukshuk sculptural
Attractions
Nunatta Sunaqutangit Museum:
near the beach, a restored Hudson's Bay Company building, contains the local
museum known as Nunatta Sunaqutangit ("Things of the Country"). The museum
focuses on Inuit culture of the Baffin region.
Qaummaarviit Territorial Historic Park:
once home to the Thule People, is located on an island and accessible by ski,
dogsled or snowmobile during the winter months, and by boat during the
open-water season. Remains of the Thule sod houses and artifacts, dating back
over 750 years ago, are available for visitors to discover.
Iqaluit Region: Interesting places in the vicinity include Sylvia Grinnell River, with kayaks and raft-races, and Qaummaarviit Historic Park, an island some 12 km (7 mi.) away, taking about 30 minutes by boat. It has relics of the settlement's 2500-year history, including winter dwellings from the Thule culture, AD 1000-1700.
Iqaluit Tourism
Resolute Bay, Nunavut.
Baffin Island
Cape Dorset, Iqaluit, Pond Inlet, Resolute
In April, experience the Arctic from a qamutik (sled)
behind an eager team of dogs. You can tour deep fiords or the tundra feeding
grounds of Peary caribou. On some tours, you set up a winter camp, then watch
the amazing Aurora Borealis.
A sledding expedition takes you across the sea-ice of Frobisher Bay to Meta
Incognita Peninsula and into Katannilik Territorial Park. Your unforgettable
journey ends in Kimmirut, where you can visit the Katannilik Park Visitor
Centre or view jewellery and stone sculptures at the Soper House Art Gallery.
Every community in Nunavut has air service. You?ll fly back to Iqaluit from
there.
From the capital (Iqaluit), local travel outfitters can take you to
Illaulittuuq Outpost Camp, located approximately 112 km southeast of Iqaluit.
This place of seal pups has been a traditional Inuit home for hundreds of
years, and is the perfect setting for explorations of the land and culture.
Set out from Pond Inlet to see mountains, glaciers, icebergs, and marine
wildlife. Outfitters offer snowmobile trips to Thule sites, the floe edge or
to bird cliffs on Bylot Island. Other activities include cross-country skiing,
sea kayaking, sport fishing, narwhal watching, and exploring journeys in
Sirmilik National Park.
Wild Muskox.
Attractions
Auyuittuq National Park:
lies in the southeast of Baffin Island, on the Cumberland Peninsula, just
north of the Arctic Circle, and extends about 200 km (125 mi.) to the north. A
large part is taken up by the Penny Ice Cap, remains of the Ice Age glaciation
of eastern Canada; it is described by the Inuit word Auyuittuq, "land where it
never thaws". This landscape of primitive rocks on the edge of the Canadian
continent is characterized by broad glaciated valleys and rugged mountains
with vertical walls rising up to 1200 m (4000 ft) in height and typical
flat-topped peaks, that of Mount Asgard being particularly impressive.
Cape Dorset: is well-known as a place
where many finds have been made relating to the Dorset culture, which
flourished roughly between 1000 bc and ad 1100 and was replaced by the Thule
culture, as well as for its outstanding Inuit artists (lithographs,
sculptures).
Cambridge Bay, Nunavut.
Kitikmeot
Bathurst Inlet, Cambridge Bay
You can follow in the footsteps of seagoing explorers who
came here in search of a Northwest Passage to Asia. The people of the
Kitikmeot have always navigated the Passage in skin boats, schooners and
motor vessels. In winter they travel the sea ice by snowmobile. Kitikmeot?s
mainland tundra is dotted with millions of ponds and lakes that are ideal
habitat for nesting waterfowl. On a river journey in the barrenlands, you can
see wolves, grizzly bears, musk-ox, foxes and caribou.
Queen Maud Gulf Migratory Bird Sanctuary at 63,000 sq. kilometres, it?s the
largest sanctuary in North America. Queen Maud is a Ramsar designated Wetland
of International Importance. Millions of birds nest and raise their young
here. This includes approximately 90% of the world?s population of Ross'
geese.
Queen Maud is also prime habitat for larger animals. Barrenground caribou
birth their young and summer here. Musk-ox and grizzly bears make their homes
on this mosaic of marshes, cliffs, rock, tundra and water. Visits are often
staged from Cambridge Bay and Baker Lake.
Attractions
Tourist Adventure Packages: Tons of Adventure tours are available from companies in Kitikmeot Region, you can check them out at Nunavut Tourism link below.
Rankin Inlet, Nunavut.
Kivalliq
Baker Lake, Chesterfield, Rankin Inlet, Repulse Bay and Whale Cove
There is so much to do in this nature-lovers paradise. You
can whale watch from land or sea as pods of belugas play in the rivers running
into the bay. Spot polar bears as they prowl the shore waiting for winter ice
to form. Visit caribou calving grounds and huge bird sanctuaries. Everywhere
you go the fishing is spectacular. You can hike for hundreds of kilometres
along rivers unchanged since the ice age.
If this is your first tundra experience, you?ll be amazed at the ocean of
rolling hills that seemingly never end. Mark your adventure by building your
own inukshuk. It?s a little more work than you might think. However, this
monument to your Kivalliq visit could very well last until the next ice age.
Marble Island, where many legends are connected with this strange and
beautiful island of white stone not far from Rankin Inlet. For Inuit, the
island has strong spiritual associations. There are also traces of European
visitors, most notably the doomed crews of 18th century English ships that lie
sunken in the harbour.
Attractions
Tourist Adventure Packages: Tons of Adventure tours are available from companies in Kivalliq Region, you can check them out at Nunavut Tourism link below.