Getting Here

Greenland

Alaska

Cambridge Bay

Iqaluit

Yellowknife Rankin Inlet

Churchill

Edmonton

Calgary Winnipeg

Montreal

Ottawa

U. S. A.

There are no roads to Nunavut. Most visitors Please see the Transportation listings in this travel planner for further arrive by scheduled air services from: details about aviation companies serving Nunavut. • Ottawa, Ontario • Montréal, Québec • Winnipeg, Manitoba • Churchill, Manitoba • Edmonton, Alberta • Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Regional Airlines & Charter Services

The following airlines fly to Nunavut Qikiqtaaluk Region: from southern Canada: • Air Inuit, Montréal, QC • Air Nunavut, Iqaluit, NU • First Air • Kenn Borek Air, Iqaluit, NU • Canadian North • Air Canada Jazz Kivalliq Region: • Air Inuit • Air Tindi, Yellowknife, NWT • Calm Air • Calm Air, Thompson, MB • Kivalliq Air • Kivalliq Air, Rankin Inlet, NU • Skyward Aviation, Rankin Inlet, NU Once here, you will find highly qualified regional and charter airlines serving Kitikmeot Region: Nunavut communities. • Adlair Aviation, Cambridge Bay, NU 2 Photo by Steve Ruskay, courtesyPhoto of Blackfeather by Steve Ruskay,

The information and services described in this book Table of Contents are believed to be correct and accurate hisat thebook time of printing. However, services and prices arehe timesubject of to change without notice. ubject to Welcome to Nunavut ...... 4 vut, and Planning Your Trip ...... 8 Travel Nunavut, the Government of Nunavut and Destination Nunavut accept no liability tfor no errorsliability or omissions. Business Travel ...... 14 Nunavut t of Nunavut. Communities ...... 16 The Nunavut Travel Planneris published by Travel Nunavut in partnership with the Governmentan Northern of Arts & Culture ...... 20 Nunavut and Destination Nunavut. herwise Wildlife ...... 24 Funding assistance provided by the Canadian Map of Nunavut ...... 28 Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor). Cruises ...... 30 Photos are from Travel Nunavut unless otherwise credited. Fishing ...... 32 Contact Travel Nunavut at: Floe Edge ...... 34 P.O. Box 1450 Birdwatching ...... 36 Iqaluit, NU X0A 0H0 Photo by Michelle Valberg Photo by Michelle Valberg Parks and Heritage Rivers ...... 40 Telephone: 867-979-6551 Kayaking, Canoeing & Rafting . . . . .48 Email: [email protected] www.travelnunavut.ca Camping & Hiking ...... 50 Visit Destination Nunavut at: Wilderness Lodges ...... 52 www.destinationnunavut.ca

3 Welcome to Nunavut! Nunavutmut Tunngasugitsi!

Northern Lights over Nunavut. Photo by David Ho

‘Nunavut’ means ‘our land’ in Inuktitut. It Canadian Arctic Archipelago, about 14 True North is big, ancient, beautiful and new. percent of the total landmass of the nation, One of the most memorable impressions of Welcome to the youngest territory of Nunavut is the size of Western Europe. It is Nunavut comes directly from the gracious Canada, settled over a thousand years ago, the largest, yet least populated, of all the warmth and hospitality of the remarkable recognized as distinctly Canadian in 1999. We provinces and territories of Canada, with a people who live here. In traditional Inuit are deeply pleased to welcome you into our total area of 2,093,190 square kilometres culture, the ethic of sharing is of foremost lovely home, into one of the largest unspoiled (808,190 square miles) and a population of importance. This deep-rooted social value is natural paradises of the world. Come, enjoy approximately 32,000 people – 84 percent eternal. Even today, this sense of collectivity, both our wildlife and our way of life. Explore Inuit. With one person for every 65 square respect and mutual reliance is what often the top of the world and be dazzled by the kilometres (25 square miles) of arctic distinguishes the friendly residents of vivid dancing hues of the Aurora Borealis. wonderland, the feeling of wide open natural Nunavut communities from people in many Come and enjoy an arctic adventure of a space is absolutely true! other corners of the world. Welcome to the lifetime. Nunavut can only be accessed by air and true north! sea. You cannot get here by car and Nunavut Geography communities are not linked together by road. The first impression many visitors have Travel between communities is sometimes of Nunavut is of vast expanses of pristine done by airplane, snowmobile expedition, or wilderness. Comprising most of the powerboat, across great distances.

4 Photo by Kurtis Oman

Explore the top of the world and be dazzled by the vivid dancing hues

of the Aurora Borealis.

Photo by Phil McComiskey, courtesy of Parks Canada 5

www.nunavuttourism.com It’s snack time in Nunavut! Photo by Doug Stern, courtesy of Parks Canada

Mother Tongue and Somerset Island. The regional seat is There are three official languages in Iqaluit – which is also the territorial capital Nunavut – the Inuit language (Inuktitut and and the largest community in Nunavut. Inuinnaqtun), English and French. Inuktitut The Kivalliq region consists of a portion is the mother tongue of 70 percent of of the Canadian mainland west of Hudson Nunavummiut. English is the first language Bay, together with Coats Island and of 27 percent, French and Inuinnaqtun about Southampton Island. This region has been one and a half percent each. called Keewatin in the past, but that name (originally rooted in a region of north - Regions western Ontario) has generally been phased Nunavut is divided into three administrative out. The regional seat of Kivalliq is Rankin regions, from east to west – Qikiqtaaluk, Inlet. Kivalliq and Kitikmeot. The Kitikmeot region of Nunavut consists of the southern and eastern parts of The Qikiqtaaluk region (also called Photo by Michelle Valberg Qikiqtani, formerly called Baffin region) Victoria Island, with the adjacent part of the includes Akimiski Island, Amund Ringnes Canadian mainland as far as the Boothia Island, Axel Heiberg Island, Baffin Island, Peninsula, together with King William Bathurst Island, the Belcher Islands, Bylot Island and the southern portion of Prince Island, Cornwallis Island, Devon Island, of Wales Island. The regional seat is Ellef Ringnes Island, Ellesmere Island, Cambridge Bay. Mansel Island and Prince Charles Island. It also includes the eastern part of Melville One of the most important words in Inuktitut Island, the Melville Peninsula and the is ‘ii’ – which means yes. When said correctly, northern parts of Prince of Wales Island most Inuit will also raise their eyebrows. 6

www.travelnunavut.ca Nunavutis renowned for Inuit Art Explore our Diversity

(thirty f ntitled” aces), Bak uk”, Pangnirtung “u er Lake 1 “Qaqqilut 2006, d. ’luq 974, d ukjuk Tuu . a Akul ion Malay Mar Eva Talooki Aliktiluk Roger Aksadjuak and Laurent Aksadjuak “Woman Wearing Beaded Amauti”, “Spring Celebration”, Rankin Inlet 1996, d. Arviat 1993, d.

Arctic Bay sculptures/carvings, photography Arviat carvings/sculptures, fine fur, leather clothing and products, wall hangings, dolls, jewellery, ornaments Baker Lake prints, carvings/sculptures, embroidered and appliqued wall hangings, jewellery Cambridge Bay sculptures/carvings Cape Dorset drawings, prints, sculptures Chesterfield Inlet carvings Clyde River sculptures/carvings – antler walruses Coral Harbour sculptures/carvings Gjoa Haven wall hangings, sculptures/carvings Grise Fiord some arts & crafts during summer Hall Beach carvings – antler, ivory, stone, jewellery Igloolik sculptures/carvings, baleen/stone products Iqaluit jewellery, carvings/sculptures, sealskin clothing and products, traditional tools Kimmirut sculptures/carvings, jewellery Kugaaruk sculptures/carvings – whalebone, antler, ivory, stone Kugluktuk carvings/sculptures, paintings, sewn goods Pangnirtung prints, woven tapestries, carvings/sculptures, Pang hats, jewellery, traditional tools Pond Inlet carvings/sculptures, miniatures, sewn goods Rankin Inlet ceramics, sculptures/carvings, clothing and accessories, sealskin mitts, wall hangings, jewellery, ulus Naujaat sculptures/carvings, ivory products Resolute Bay jewellery, parkas, sealskin mitts Sanikiluaq basketry, eiderdown, carvings, sewn goods Taloyoak Inuit packing dolls Qikiqtarjuaq carvings, baleen products, crocheted/sewn goods, carvings Whale Cove carvings, sewn goods and traditional clothing

1-888-975-5999 | www.authenticnunavut.com Look for the logo of authentication Planning Your Trip A journey of any great distance begins with one single step!

The High Arctic in Nunavut. Photo courtesy of Cruise North Expeditions

Nunavut is immense. Seeing all of it in one about the specific activities that interest you. nity feasts. In Gjoa Haven, this spring cele- visit is not practical for most travellers. It Check their websites and contact them. Ask bration is known as the Qavvarrvik Carnival. took thousands of years for the indigenous questions and demand references. If you In Iqaluit, it is called the Toonik Tyme Fes- peoples of Nunavut to explore its vast ex- prefer to use a travel agency, show them the tival. In Rankin Inlet they stage the popular panses and there are still many corners of sections of this planner that you would like Pakallak Tyme Festival, while in Taloyoak this beautiful territory that have never been to learn more about. on Boothia Peninsula, it’s time for the visited by human beings at all. You could be Taloyoak Spring Games. Visitors are always the first person to ever set foot in some of Celebrations warmly invited to participate and share in these places. During the springtime in Nunavut, pods of these happy festivities! whales gather and herds of walrus bask in Activities the sunshine along the floe edge, muskox Visitor Information Imagine yourself in Nunavut. Picture the calves and caribou fawns will take their first For details on planning your trip to Nunavut activities and arctic adventures that would tentative baby steps onto the tundra. The please visit www.destinationnunavut.ca or call most please you. This travel planner outlines land is reborn – unspoiled and eternal – so our toll-free number 1-866-686-2888 in North the exciting range of experiences available entire communities head out with their America or 867-979-4636 from the rest of the world. and describes the Nunavut communities that snowmobiles, ATVs, dogsleds and camping specialize in providing those things. Choose equipment to celebrate the new season from the listings of companies, tour operators with traditional Inuit games, dogsledding and outfitters to get more detailed information com petitions, snowmobile races and commu-

8 www.travelnunavut.ca Vast open spaces, combined with the incredible wildlife, make a visit to Nunavut totally enchanting. Photo by Paul Nicklen, courtesy of National Geographic Stock

Photo courtesy of Frontiers North Adventures Photo by Jean Weller

www.nunavutparks.com. In addition, most Access Restrictions in Nunavut Kitikmeot Region (867) 982-3310 communities of Nunavut have websites to There is a significant amount of private Toll-free: 1-800-220-6581 check, with Visitor Centres to contact Inuit-owned land in Nunavut. However, regarding their local attractions, arts, tours, boundaries are rarely marked. Access Wilderness Expeditions expeditions, cultural activities and full range restrictions apply to travel inside the If you are planning a wilderness expedition of accommodations. Nunavut Settlement Area, while fishing is on your own, then register your plan with also restricted in certain places. Visitors are the RCMP detachment located nearest to Contact Canada responsible for learning the restrictions that your departure point – and check in with Contact the Canadian High Commission, apply to the specific areas they wish to enter. them when you return. This will make your Embassy, or Consulate General in your home Licensed operators know the rules and, trip much safer. If your expedition plans to country for information about passport and when contracted, are responsible for obtain- enter a National Park, then you are required visa requirements needed for entering ing all the proper permits. If you are going to register beforehand with Parks Canada, pay Canada. For information about what you wilderness camping without a guide, you a fee and take part in an orientation program. can bring into Canada, contact the Canada should contact the Inuit Land Administra- While out on the land, please respect all Border Services Agency. Their website tion Office for permit requirements in that camps, cabins and fuel caches that you may (www.cbsa.gc.ca) answers most questions that area, at one of these numbers: come across. Do not camp, or disturb people have about what can be brought into anything, in archeological sites. The Visitor the country and provides phone numbers to Qikiqtaaluk Region (867) 979-5391 Centre in the nearest community will advise reach an agent for more specific information. Kivalliq Region (867) 645-2810 you of the best places to make camp and

9 www.travelnunavut.ca A photographer captures wildflowers in Cape Dorset. Photo by Lee Narraway

important places to be careful of. Please do the Parks Canada website (www.parkscanada.ca) Nunavut, so if you suspect that you have not litter. Place garbage into proper camp- read their excellent ‘Keep the Wildlife Wild’ entered one, treat it carefully and please, ground receptacles, or pack it out. It is pages. It is highly recommended that you also do not camp there. recommended that you do your cooking on request and read the bear safety brochures – a camping stove, rather than by campfire. Be ‘Safety in Polar Bear Country’ and ‘Safety in Clothing extremely careful wherever you make a fire. Grizzly and Black Bear Country’ – which are When you are properly dressed for the arctic, Use fire pits if they are available, or build it available from Visitor Centres and from Parks in multiple layers, you will enjoy yourself on rock or sand – never on moss or tundra, and Wildlife Officers in Nunavut communities. immensely. Except for the short summer which can continue burning indefinitely If you experience a bear problem, report it season in Nunavut – which can be equivalent under the surface. To report a tundra fire, immediately to the nearest Parks Officer, or to cool spring or fall conditions in most of call the nearest RCMP detachment. to the Nunavut Department of Environment. southern Canada, northern USA and Eu- Travelling with an experienced local guide is rope – the rest of the year requires warm, Bears the best and safest way to avoid problems insulated clothing. For the coldest months, Polar bears and barren land grizzly bears with bears. snowmobile boots are vital, also a down-filled are extremely dangerous animals. They are at- parka with hood, windproof outer pants, plus tracted to trails of garbage and poor camping Archeological Sites mittens and a warm hat. Bring sunblock practices. On the Nunavut Parks website It is illegal to disturb any archeological site – cream and good quality sunglasses, with UV (www.nunavutparks.com) read about ‘Polar and a federal offence to remove artifacts. protection. For the summertime, especially Bear Safety’ on the Visitor Centre menu. On Few archeological sites are marked in near the seashore, a set of breathable rain

10 www.travelnunavut.ca Spectacular ice crystals hang in a sub-glacial cave. Photo by John Dunn, courtesy of Arctic Light/National Geographic Stock

gear, top and bottom, is desirable. For hiking land animals, birds, marine mammals and on rocky trails, or across the tundra, good fish from Nunavut. Be aware of all the import Liquor Enforcement quality footwear with ankle support is best. regulations of your home country before by Community Some summer days can be warm in the land buying any animal products in Nunavut. Some Restricted amounts available of the midnight sun, so be prepared with lay- countries, including USA and much of Europe, Arctic Bay, Baker Lake, Cape Dorset, Chester- ers of clothing. The average temperature in have severe restrictions on marine mammal field Inlet, Clyde River, Hall Beach, Igloolik, Iqaluit, the capital city of Nunavut, ranges products like sealskin and ivory, including arts Kimmirut, Kugluktuk, Pond Inlet, Qikiqtarjuaq, from -33°C (-27°F) in January to 11°C and crafts made from these materials. Repulse Bay, Resolute Bay, Whale Cove (52°F) in July. No Alcohol Fishing Permits Arviat, Coral Harbour, Gjoa Haven, Kugaaruk, Export Permits Fishing permits are required by visitors and Pangnirtung, Sanikiluaq Export permits are required for the removal all non Inuit people. Permits are available in of any animal part from Nunavut, including all communities and quota's are also enforced. Alcohol available frozen wild meats purchased from a store. For more information see our Fishing Guide Cambridge Bay, Grise Fiord, Iqaluit, Rankin For more information, contact the Nunavut available at www.nunavuttourism.com. Inlet, Taloyoak Department of Environment at (867) 975- 5900. Ask for the pamphlet entitled ‘Are You Alcohol Visit Exporting Wildlife from Nunavut?’ which Restrictions on importing and consuming http://gov.nu.ca/finance/information/liquor-en- forcement-and-inspections for the most up-to- explains the correct procedures for exporting alcohol in Nunavut are determined by the date informatkion

11 www.travelnunavut.ca Medical Emergencies If you need medical attention when visiting Nunavut, ask at your hotel, or look in the phone book under Health Centre. Iqaluit has a very well equipped hospital and all smaller communities have Health Centres staffed by specially trained nurses. The regional centres of Cambridge Bay and Rankin Inlet have community doctors. There are dentists in some communities. Air ambulance (Medevac) services, when required, will be arranged by the local Health Centre or hospital. The Nunavut Health Care Plan does not cover the cost of ground, marine, or air ambulance service for non-residents. Visitors will be billed for these costs, which can be expensive, but may be covered by your personal insurance. Check the terms of your medical coverage before leaving home. If you are a Canadian citizen requiring medical services in Nunavut, then present your provincial or territorial health plan identification card at the Health Centre or hospital. Most costs will be covered and billed directly to your own health plan, or Photo by Bob Mesher you can claim the expenses back later, usually within six months. If you are not Canadian, then you should check with your private, national or state health insurance provider before leaving home as to exactly what coverage will be afforded to you when travelling abroad. Short-term policies to cover medical emergencies and related ambulance or air transport costs are available through most travel agents, but usually these plans must be purchased before your departure date. Non-Canadians are encouraged to obtain proper medical insurance before leaving home. If you neglect to do so beforehand, medical coverage for non-Canadians can be purchased through Nunavut Insurance Brokers.

Money You will find a bank branch, ATM, or banking service at the local Co-op or Northern Store in nearly every community Photo by Tessa MacIntosh of Nunavut. VISA is the most widely accepted credit card, although other cards may be honoured too. Most stores have local plebiscite. Rules vary between Interac (bank card) service. Bring along some Plan to stay awhile communities. Possession of alcohol is Canadian currency, especially if you are prohibited in some places and restricted arriving on a Sunday as stores and banks may in others. Check with the RCMP, your be closed. If you are visiting from outside and make some new outfitter, or hotel for the rules. Don’t leave Canada, it is best to change your currency leftover alcohol behind. Trading alcohol at home, or in Canada before arriving in friends. for anything is illegal. Nunavut. Airports in southern Canadian cities offer foreign exchange services.

12 www.travelnunavut.ca Telephone Service Telephone service is direct dial in every community of Nunavut. In the smaller communities, pay phones are limited to a few locations. Check at your hotel. Prepaid Calling Cards are available at various stores. Some remote communities and wilderness lodges in Nunavut offer HF radio or satellite phone service. Mobile phone service is available in select communities. Bell Canada is the satellite service provider. International mobile phones won’t work unless linked to Bell Canada. The area code for all parts of Nunavut is 867.

Postal Service Mail, including packages, will arrive to you in any Nunavut community. Allow three to Photo by Gordon Wiltsie, courtesy of National Geographic Stock four weeks for it to arrive. Address it to your name, c/o General Delivery, with the Time Zones Once you have come to Nunavut and experienced community name and postal code. Label the Nunavut has three time zones. The Qikiq- our hospitality, our food, our land, our sea, our letter or package as ‘Hold for Pickup’ and taaluk region, except for Resolute, operates on culture, after you have seen some of our magni ficent indicate your expected arrival date. In most Eastern Standard Time. Kivalliq, plus most of wildlife and have done all the unforgettable, communities, the Post Office is located at Kitikmeot, is on Central Standard Time. The adventurous things you dreamed of doing here, the local Co-op or Northern Store. Hours westernmost part of Kitikmeot, from Cam- you may wish to say ‘angirraliqtunga’ to your vary from community to community. For bridge Bay westward, operates on Mountain newfound friends – I am going home. Or, you more information about receiving mail in Standard Time. might decide to stay a while longer. We would Nunavut, visit the Canada Post website love that! (www.canadapost.ca) or contact them at 1-888-550-6333.

13 www.travelnunavut.ca Business Travel There’s no business like snow business!

Building team spirit! Photo by Fred Lemire

The True North is a fantastic, refreshing picture more clearly can be as simple as Motivation change of venue for your most critical business taking them outdoors for a breath of fresh Distanced from the daily chaos of the stock meetings. Topnotch hotels, wilderness lodges arctic air – in a vast, unspoiled, seemingly exchange, far from noisy downtown traffic, and inns located across the giant territory limitless panorama of opportunity. The best, with fewer hectic distractions and interrup- of Nunavut offer all of the presentation, most dynamic new ideas that your company tions, the most important goals, objectives conference room, cable, satellite, internet and may light upon might well be inspired by the and strategies of your organization will be- video facilities required for conducting highly shimmering Aurora Borealis. come clearer for everyone involved. At the top productive meetings and training sessions for of the world, conducting business meetings your business teams. Nunavut communities Productivity will be more impressive and effective. When have hosted everything from mining and climate Healthy workers are more productive workers combined with a dog sledding expedition, or a change symposiums, northern trade shows, so, after crunching the numbers, debating the concert of throat-singing and drum dancing, arts conventions, government think-tanks and pros and cons, brainstorming the master plans, your most valuable people will become language summits, to the prestigious, high- you can take the team for an invigor ating race motivated to achieve results like never before. security meetings, entertainments and across the sea ice on snowmobiles. Add a televised press conferences of world leaders. kayak tour to your itinerary. Visit the floe edge Logistics to film the gang where narwhals play. Instead Several operators offer excellent conference Vision of meeting inside your office, consider saving services. Their expertise with logistics and After inspiring your group to reach new your best inspirational speech for a sunny sit- their familiarity with all the local suppliers heights, motivating them to see the bigger down moment on an iceberg. can greatly aid your plans. Community

14 www.travelnunavut.ca Photo by Lee Narroway

Photo by Holly Varey Photo by Pascale Dion

visitor centres and local tourism outfittersers operatorsoperators offeroffer discountsdiscounts forfor weekendweekend stays.stays. can help to arrange group activities suchh asas IfIf youyou areare keenkeen toto broadebroaden youryour visitvisit toto tours, shows and expeditions. With increasedeased Nunavut,unavut, askask forfor specialspecial 'Extend'Extend YourYour Stay'Stay' worldwide attention being brought to bearear ratesrates whenwhen bookingbooking youryour businessbusiness trip,trip, oror upon the arctic, Nunavut is becoming callcall NunavutNunavut TourismTourism (1-866-686-2888)(1-866-686-2888) forfor evermore popular for incentive rewards mmoreore iinformationnformation aboutabout thisthis incentiveincentive programs. Visit the Nunavut Tourism program.program. website (www.nunavuttourism.com) for more information about these details. DoDo ForFor hardworkinghardworking executives,executives, a not hesitate to contact us for any assistancence hhandyandy InuktitutInuktitut expressionexpression toto or information that you may require. Yourour employemploy isis ‘pijassaqaluaq-‘pijassaqaluaq- cold call will be mostly warmly received.d. tunga’tunga’ – I amam veryvery busy.busy.

Extend Your Stay Program We encourage business travellers to Nunavutnavut to extend their stay, to take advantage off thethe opportunity to get out of the boardroomm and enjoy other wonderful aspects of thee territory. Various airlines, hotels and tourur Photo by Hans Pfaff, courtesy of Cruise North Expeditions

1515 www.travelnunavut.ca Communities Where there’s room in one’s heart, there is always plenty of room for guests!

An overhead view of Kimmirut.

The charming, vibrant communities of Qikiqtaaluk Region 820 people. The dramatic mountains, fiords Nunavut range in size from booming centres and rugged coastline nearby are so beautiful of trade and government, to tiny hamlets Arctic Bay the area is a proposed territorial park site. hardly larger than a few extended house- Also known as Ikpiarjuk (ᐃᒃᐊᕐᔪᒃ) – ‘the holds. To visitors, each of these unique pocket’ – this picturesque community of Grise Fiord places, not one too big and none too small, 690 residents has been inhabited by arctic Also known as Aujuittuq (ᐊᐅᔪᐃᑦᑐᖅ) – will offer rich and unforgettable experiences. peoples for over 5,000 years. ‘the place that never thaws’ – this warmly Their locations were chosen, named and in- hospitable place, home to 141 permanently- habited – sometimes for thousands of Cape Dorset settled residents, is the northernmost years – because of the social and survival ad- Also known as Kinngait (ᑭᐃᑦ) – community in Canada. Grise Fiord enjoys vantages these sites provided for the interact- ‘mountains’ – this artistic community of 24-hour sunshine from April through August. ing groups of ancient people who met there. 1,236 residents is a main stop for arctic cruise Apart from two other specialized places in ships. It is world-famous for the quality of Hall Beach Nunavut, which are used for seasonal reasons, prints and carvings produced by its visual Also known as Sanirajak (ᓂᕋᒃ) – ‘the Bathurst Inlet and Umingmaktok, there artists. shoreline’ – this community of 654 residents are 25 distinct communities scattered across is the oldest permanently inhabited place Nunavut, in three regions – Qikiqtaaluk, Clyde River north of the Arctic Circle. For thousands Kivalliq and Kitikmeot. Also known as Kangiqtugaapik of years, the local people have enjoyed the (ᑲᖏᖅᑐᒑᒃ) – ‘nice little inlet’ – the com- presence of large herds of walrus. munity of Clyde River has a population of 16 www.travelnunavut.ca Iqaluit at night. Below, the Northern Lights above Angel Street and Jordin Tootoo, right, with a childhood friend, visiting Rankin Inlet. Photo by Ed Maruyama

Photo by Ed Maruyama Photo by Todd Bigelow, courtesy of Aurora Photos

Igloolik population of 6,184 residents listed in the the bull caribou’ – this community of 1,325 Spelled Iglulik (ᐃᓗᒃ) in Inuktitut – ‘place 2006 Statistics Canada census. It is the people is located on a beautiful fiord in of igloos’ – this vibrant, creative community political, business, educational and journalism striking mountainous terrain that is popular of 1,538 permanent residents is considered centre of Nunavut, yet it is also the home of with hikers, climbers and skiers. “Pang” is to be the cultural centre of the Inuit people. many Inuit artists, filmmakers and musicians. renowned for the Pangnirtung Fisheries fish The award-winning movie ‘Fast Runner’ was plant and for the quality of its woven filmed and produced here. It is home to Kimmirut tapestries and prints. Artcirq, the popular circus troupe. Nearby The community of Kimmirut (ᑭᑦ) – Dorset sites date back over 4,000 years. ‘heel’ – which is named for a distinctive Pond Inlet rocky outcrop, has a populationopulation ofof 411411 AlsoAlso knownknown asas MittimatalikMittimatalik (ᑦᑎᑕᒃ ) – Iqaluit people. It has an excellentlent artart gallerygallery andand ‘the‘the placeplace wherewhere MittiimaMittiima isis buriedb ’ – is a Iqaluit (ᐃᖃᓗᐃᑦ) – ‘place of many fish’ – is is located at the mouthh ofof thethe SoperSoper comcommmunityunity ofof 1,3151,315 ppeople,eopl located near the capital of Nunavut and regional centre Heritage River runningg throughthrough thethe easterneastern entranceentrance to the North- of government for Qikiqtaaluk. Located at magnificent Katannilikk westwest Passage.Passage. PondP Inlet is the head of Frobisher Bay, the tides rise and Territorial Park. ccloselose toto thethe bustlingbu bird fall up to nine metres (30 feet) twice a day. ccliffsliffs ooff BylotBylo Island and is Nearby Sylvia Grinnell River has excellent Pangnirtung ffamousamous aass a place to see char fishing. Iqaluit is the largest and fastest- Also called Pangnirtuuquq ppodsods ooff narwhaln along growing community in the territory, with a (ᓂᖅᑑᖅ) – ‘place off tthehe ffloeloe eedge.

17

www.travelnunavut.ca Qikiqtarjuaq Resolute Sanikiluaq Qikiqtarjuaq (ᑭᖅᑕᕐᔪᐊᖅ) – ‘big island’ – Also known as Qausuittuq (ᖃᐅᓱᐃᑦᑐᖅ) – Sanikiluaq (ᓂᑭᓗᐊᖅ) – is named for a is a community of 473 permanent residents, ‘place with no dawn’ – this important man who once lived here, known as a fast located on an island adjacent the eastern community has a permanent population of runner. It is the most southern community of coast of Baffin Island, near Auyuittuq 229 people. Located in the High Arctic on Nunavut, located in the Belcher Islands, deep National Park. Qikiqtarjuaq is known as the Cornwallis Island, Resolute is strategically in Hudson Bay, with a population of 744 peo- iceberg capital of the world. Many species situated in the middle of the Northwest ple. They are reknown for their basket weav- of marine mammals thrive here, including Passage. ing and eider down products. Another very killer whales. unique handicraft of this community is the making of dolls from fish skin.

Kivalliq Region

Arviat Arviat (ᐊᕐᐊᑦ) – ‘place of the bowhead whale’ – has a population of 2,514 people. It is located on the western coast of Hudson Bay, southernmost of the seven Kivalliq communities, near the McConnell River Bird Sanctuary, which is home to thousands of nesting waterfowl. Arviat is renowned for the talent of its musicians, including Susan Aglukark.

Baker Lake Also known as Qamani’tuaq (ᖃᓂᑦᑐᐊᖅ) – ‘huge widening of a river’ – it has a population of 1,728 people. Baker Lake is Nunavut’s only inland community, situated where the Thelon Heritage River meets the Kazan Heritage River. Famous for its art and abun- dant wildlife, this community is close to the newly-opened Meadowbank gold mine and is very near to the exact geographical centre of Canada.

Chesterfield Inlet Also known as Igluligaarjuk (ᐃᓗᒑᕐᔪᒃ) – ‘place with few houses’ – this is the oldest settlement in the region of Kivalliq. The community has a population of 332 people who are renowned for their arts and crafts, as well as for their skill at whaling from small boats.

Coral Harbour Also known as Salliit (ᓪᑦ) – ‘large flat islands in front of the mainland’ – this community of 800 people is an ecotourism base for some of the best bird, walrus and polar bear watching in Nunavut. The East Bay Migratory Bird Sanctuary and the Harry Gibbons Bird Sanctuary are located nearby. Local outfitters offer boat trips to Walrus and Coast Islands.

www.travelnunavut.ca Rankin Inlet Kitikmeot Region Kugluktuk Also known as Kangiqtiniq (ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᖅ) – Kugluktuk (ᖁᕐᓗᖅᑐᖅ) – ‘place of moving ‘deep inlet’ – the community of Rankin Inlet Cambridge Bay water’ – is a community of 1,302 people is the centre of government for the Kivalliq Also known as Iqaluktuuttiaq located where the Coppermine Heritage region. It has a population of 2,358 people (ᐃᖃᓗᒃᑑᑦᑎᐊᖅ) – ‘fair fishing place’ – the River feeds into Coronation Gulf. It is an and is distinguished as home of the best community of Cambridge Bay is the govern- important centre of Inuit arts and culture, ceramic arts in Nunavut, to be found at the ment seat for the region of Kitikmeot. It has situated downstream from Kugluk/Bloody Matchbox Gallery. The first inuk to ever lay a population of 1,477 people. Located on the Falls Territorial Park. hockey in the NHL, Jordin Tootoo, grew south coast of Victoria Island, near Ovayok up here. Territorial Park, the beautiful landscape is Taloyoak home to magnificent herds of muskoxen. Taloyoak (ᑕᓗᕐᔪᐊᕐᒃ) – ‘large caribou Repulse Bay hunting blind’ – is a community of 809 Also known as Naujaat (ᓇᐅᔮᑦ) – ‘seagull Gjoa Haven people. It is situated on the Boothia nesting place’ – this historic community, Also known as Uqsuqtuuq (ᐅᖅᓱᖅᑑᖅ) – Peninsula, in an arctic wilderness area which is situated right on the Arctic Circle, ‘place of plenty blubber’ – the English name renowned for its muskoxen. Artists here are has a population of 748 people. Located near for this place honours the fact that North- famous for creating highly mystical carvings Ukkusiksalik National Park, it is a good west Passage explorer Amundsen wintered in stone, bone and ivory. place for polar bear watching and for bow- here with his good ship, the Gjoa, calling it The Inuktitut word ‘nunalik’ means community. head whale watching excursions into nearby “the best little harbour in the world.” The Foxe Basin. ill-fated Franklin expedition perished nearby, so this community of 1,064 people on King Whale Cove William Island is often visited by arctic Also known as Tikirarjuaq (ᑎᑭᕋᕐᔪᐊᖅ) – history buffs. ‘long point’ – this community, located south of Rankin Inlet, has a population of 353 Kugaaruk people. The fishing here is excellent. Each Kugaaruk (ᑰᒑᕐᔪᒃ) – ‘little stream’ – which is spring there is an annual fishing derby for also known as Arviligjuaq (ᑳᒑᕐᑭᓪ) – ‘place of the biggest lake trout. In the fall, large pods many bowhead whales’ – is a very traditional ooff cchatteringhattering belugabeluga congregatecongregate nnearear tthehe communitycommunity ofof 688688 people.people. LocatedLocated onon PellyPelly sshoreshores ofof tthehe cove.cove. Bay,Bay, offoff thethe GulfGulf ofof Boothia,Boothia, itit isis anan excellentexcellent placeplace forfor seasea kayaking.kayaking.

PhotoPhoto byby JeanJean WellerWeller

19 www.travelnunavut.ca Longest Days

The Midnight Sun shines brightly over Nunavut. Depending on the community, the sun never completely sets beneath the horizon for up to four months of the year. In Iqaluit, Kimmirut and Cape Dorset, it never gets dark from May to August.

Community 24 Hours of Sunshine

Grise Fiord ...... April 22-August 20 Resolute ...... April 29-August 13 Pond Inlet ...... May 5-August 7 Arctic Bay...... May 6-August 6 Clyde River ...... May 13-August 1 Taloyoak ...... May 17-July 27 Igloolik ...... May 18-July 26 Cambridge Bay ...... May 20-July 23

Community 24 Hours of Sunshine

Hall Beach ...... May 21 to July 22 Kugaaruk...... May 21 to July 22 Gjoa Haven ...... May 22 to July 21 Kugluktuk ...... May 27 to July 17 Qikiqtarjuaq ...... May 29 to July 15 Repulse Bay ...... June 4 to July 9 Pangnirtung ...... June 8 to July 4

Source: Environment Canada Photo by Steve Ruskay, courtesy of Blackfeather

20 www.travelnunavut.ca 21 www.travelnunavut.ca Arts and Culture We have more artists, per capita, than anywhere else in the world!

Inuksuit communicate in the silent language of the ages. Photo by Michelle Valberg

For a historically nomadic, hunter-gatherer commonly written in Qaniujaaqpait – clothing, implements, technologies and society which spread itself thinly across the ᖃᓂᐅᔮᖅᐸᐃᑦ – syllabics. story. The kayak, the ulu knife, the igloo and circumpolar world from Siberia to Greenland, the inuksuk are distinctive examples. Dog surviving and subsisting for untold centuries The People sleds are still commonly used in Nunavut, in one of the harshest environments on the The term ‘Inuit’ means ‘the people’ in but not as common as snowmobiles today. planet, the vital importance of art and Inuktitut. The term ‘Eskimo’ is still The rifle has replaced the bow and arrow, culture to the Inuit people is extraordinary. commonly used in Alaska, but in Canada but to the Inuit way of seeing things, this is When visiting Nunavut, you will be forever and in Greenland, this word is considered still ‘traditional’ – because it’s logical and impressed by their warmth and creativity. pejorative and so has fallen out of usage. practical evolution. From the historical When you are visiting Nunavut and speaking perspective of a hunting and fishing people, Language about the Inuit people – in English, or using GPS to find one’s way back home is as The Inuit language is spoken and taught French, or any other language – please use basic as replacing stone arrowheads with in every community of Nunavut (Inuktitut the correct word they invented for themselves. steel points. Likewise, in music, the in the east and Inuinnaqtun in the west). ‘Inuk’ is the singular. traditional sounds of throat-singing are English and French are the other official sometimes now mixed to techno dance beats. languages of the territory. Inuktitut and Culture Storytelling, which is a traditional perform- Inuinnaqtun are both written in Roman Inuit culture includes their language, tradi- ance art form, nowadays also includes the orthography, however, Inuktitut is more tions, beliefs, music, art, handicrafts, foods, innovative work of Inuit filmmakers. The

22 www.travelnunavut.ca An Inuk boy and his family ready to head out for the weekend. Photo by Clare Kines

Photo by Fred Lemire Photo by Ed Maruyama

culture you will experience when visiting Family when summer arrives – communities all Nunavut is both vibrant and dynamic. It is At the core of this unique culture is the across Nunavut stage celebrations and an ancient, living culture. family. Amongst Inuit, this is often an games. These events involve traditional Inuit extended family, which naturally becomes performing arts, like storytelling, throat- The Land part of the greater community. Inuit people singing and drum dancing, while also Having always existed in harmony and inter- cherish their youths and their elders, featuring traditional Inuit games – which are dependence with the natural world, the Inuit respecting very specific roles and responsi - athletic competitions of strength, agility, worldview is shaped by the respect they have bilities, which they place upon themselves at dexterity and physical stamina based on for the land, the sea, the animals, the plants, each stage of life. Traditional Inuit social critical skills honed for excellence in hunting for human beings and the forces of nature. values include sharing the bounty of a suc- and arctic survival. These festive events often Inuit leaders, elders, parents and teachers cessful hunt with others, always looking after include dogsled and snowmobile races, while actively strive to preserve this harmonious the poor and behaving in a more collective, large communal feasts of traditional Inuit balance for future generations. No longer a rather than selfishly individual way. foods are also prepared for one and all to nomadic people, the Inuit of Nunavut con- enjoy. tinue to generously contribute their wisdom, Games arts and cultural values to enrich, educate At specific times of the year – such as when Music and delight all the rest of Canada, plus every the sun returns to end the long, dark winter The Inuit art of throat-singing, like drum single visitor to the great Canadian Arctic. night, at the beginning of springtime, or dancing, has been enjoyed since time immemorial, but, as other musical traditions,

23 www.nunavuttourism.comwww.travelnunavut.ca very expensive to acquire. Lucky visitors to Nunavut can often meet the artists. Inuit carving is an ancient art form that often achieves incredibly modern results of tremendous value. The work varies by region. The hard stone used in Arviat and Baker Lake inspires more abstract art, while Kimmirut is famous for its walrus ivory carving and scrimshaw work. Notable art galleries to visit are located in Baker Lake, Cape Dorset, Iqaluit and in Rankin Inlet – which is also the home of Nunavut’s best ceramic artists.

Clothing Everywhere in Nunavut you will see mothers carrying their infant children in the hood of their ‘amauti’ – a specialized parka designed for just such purpose. For survival in the harsh arctic, while Inuit men mastered the design of specialized hunting tools, Inuit women mastered all the local materials and forms of their traditional clothing. Inuit garments, from sealskin boots to polar bear skin leggings, are still beautifully handmade in Nunavut today. In addition, you will find incredible Inuit beadwork, plus intricately worked bone, stone, talon, claw and ivory Photo courtesy of Nunavut Tourism jewellery.

Food instruments and sounds arrived in Nunavut, Prints Traditional Inuit foods – usually referred to they have been combined and merged with The community of Cape Dorset, which as ‘country food’ – are highly nutritious and the expressive musical forms of the native celebrated 50 years of print-making in 2009, they will delight you with their delicious, people. Many Inuit enjoy the accordion and is famous for the quality of its work. Distinc- complex flavours and variety of textures. fiddle sounds, reels and jigs, introduced to tive Inuit prints are made in many parts of Sometimes eaten raw, which is not surprising them by whalers and traders. Acoustic and Nunavut, but some of the very best, gracing for a land without trees, most local foods – electric guitars are now played everywhere in the homes of world leaders and the art like caribou, char, muskox and seal – are the territory, producing folk, country, pop galleries of numerous nations, come from prepared in stews, or by baking, frying and and rock music stars in Nunavut with dis- this small community in southwestern Baffin grilling. Smoked char is very tasty, but ‘pitsi’ tinctly northern artistic flair. Sounding as Island. Other communities of particular (dried char) is truly yummy. If you enjoy if it were perhaps invented specifically for distinction for their printmakers and weavers sushi, then do try some of our traditional another modern musical form adored by include Baker Lake, Pangnirtung and raw dishes too. Like fresh seal meat, which youth, the Inuktitut language is brilliantly Pond Inlet. suited for hip-hop lyrics. There are many warms your entire body from the inside out! For the more adventurous gourmet, there music festivals across the territory through- Carving is ‘igunaq’ (fermented walrus meat) and out the year. These events are all listed and Perhaps the most internationally recognized ‘mattaaq’ (raw narwhal or beluga skin) which updated regularly on our website: form of Inuit visual art is carving – in stone, are unforgettable foodstuffs for foodies. www.nunavuttourism.com. ivory, antler and bone. These carvings range in size from intricate, exquisitely delicate The tricky English term ‘culture’ is often misun- Acrobatics works to huge masterpiece carvings more derstood or misused, having over 160 meanings. When visitors witness Nunavut athletes appropriately called sculptures. The delight- There is no such word in Inuktitut. Instead, the performing traditional Inuit games for the ful forms of mythical figures like the sea Inuit people use the term ‘illiqusiq’ which means first time, with huge jumps and dazzling goddess Sedna, marine mammals such as ‘the way it is done’ – encompassing all aspects of acrobatic skill, they see how these powerful narwhal and walrus, arctic birds, hunters, the Inuit way of life. abilities have now been incorporated into mothers and children, plus many forms of the repertoires of renowned dance groups dancing, sleeping, nursing, predating polar like the Baffin Breakers of Clyde River and bears are made by very talented Inuit artists in world-class circus troupes like Artcirq living all across the territory. Some of these from Igloolik. highly stylistic masterworks are justifiably 24 www.travelnunavut.ca ᖃᓄᑎᒋ ᑎᓴᒪᓕᖁᑏᑦ ᐊᒃᑐᐃᓯᒪᓂᖃᓕᖅᐸ? What impact is your ATV having? ᐅᐱᒍᓱᖕᓂᖅ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐸᖅᑭᒡᖠᕐᓂᖅ ᓄᓇᖁᑎᑦᑎᓐᓂᒃ, ᐆᒪᔪᖁᑎᑦᑎᓐᓂᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐊᕙᑎᑦᑎᓐᓂᒃ ᑲᒪᒋᒐᑦᑎᒍ: ᐃᖅᑲᐅᒪᓚᐅᖅᑕ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᖃᐅᔨᒪᔭᑐᖃᖏᑕ ᒪᓕᒐᖓᓐᓂᒃ ᐊᕙᑎᑦᑎᓐᓂᒃ ᑲᒪᑦᓯᐊᕐᓂᕐᒥᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐃᖅᑲᓇ ᐃᔭᖃ ᑎᒌᒡᓗᑕ ᓄᓇᕗᑦ ᑲᔾᔮᕐᓇᐃᓐᓇᕐᓂᐊᕐᒪᑦ ᐱᐅᓗᓂᓗ ᐊᑐᕈᓐᓇᑦᑎᐊᕐᓂᐊᕋᑦᑎᒍ! Respecting and caring for the land, animals and the environment is our responsibility: let’s remember the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principle Avatittinnik Kamatsiarniq and work together to ensure our land stays beautiful for us all to enjoy!

ᑎᓴᒪᓕᑦ ᓱᕋᑦᑎᕆᔪᓐᓇᕐᒪᑕ ATVs can have damaging ᓄᓇᖁᑎᑦᑎᓐᓂᒃ, ᐊᒃᓱᐊᓗᒃ effects on the ecosystem, ᓱᕋᑦᑎᕆᓗᑎᒃ ᐃᔾᔪᕐᒥᒃ causing serious impacts ᓄᓇᒥᒃ ᐱᕈᖅᑐᓂᒃ, ᐆᒪᔪᓂᒃ to soil, vegetation, wildlife ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐃᒪᕐᒥᐅᑕᐅᔪᓂᒃ. and aquatic environments.

ᐆᒪᔪᑦ Wildlife

• ᑐᓗᕐᖢᑎᒃ ᑐᖁᔪᑦ • ᑎᓰᑦ ᒪᑐᔪᕕᓃᑦ • ᐊᒃᓱᕈᓕᒃᑲᓐᓂᖅᑐᑦ ᐱᕈᖅᑐᑦ • ᓂᕿᒋᕙᒃᑕᖏᓐᓂᒃ ᐸᒡᕕᓴᐃᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓄᓇ Vegetation ᕿᑐᕐᖏᐅᕐᓂᕆᔭᖏᓐᓂᒃ Soil • ᐃᕙᕕᒋᔭᖓᓂᒃ ᕿᒪᐃᓗᑎᒃ • ᑐᖕᒥᕋᖅᑕᐅᓕᓂᖅ ᐃᒪᕐᒥᐅᑕᑦ • ᑎᓯᒃᑎᑉᐸᓪᓕᐊᓂᖓ • ᐊᓯᔾᔨᖅᑐᑦ ᐱᕈᖅᑐᑦ • Collision mortality Aquatic Environments • ᐃᓚᓐᖓᖅᐸᓪᓕᐊᓂᖓ • Collapsed burrows • Trampling • ᐃᓄᐃᓴᒡᓕᒋᐊᖅᑐᑦ ᐱᕈᖅᑐᑦ • Increase in stress • ᐃᖅᑲᖓᓄᐊᖅᐸᓪᓕᐊᔪᑦ ᐃᓱᕈᑎᐅᕙᒃᑐᑦ • ᐱᕈᖅᑐᑦ ᐃᒥᕆᐊᖃᖅᑕᖓ • Change in plants • Disruption of feeding and • ᐃᓱᖅᑐᖅ ᐃᒪᖅ reproductive activities • ᐃᒪᕐᒥᐅᑕᑦ ᓇᔪᒐᖓᓂᒃ ᐱᐅᔪᓐᓃᖅᑎᕆᓗᓂ • Compaction • Nest abandonment • Erosion • Sedimentation • Decreased plant nutrient uptake • Murky water • Lower aquatic habitat quality

ᐃᒪᐃᓕᐅᕈᓐᓇᖅᐳᑎ ᐃᑲᔪᕐᓗᑎᑦ! / Here’s what you can do to help!

ᓱᕈᖅᑎᑦᑕᐃᓕᒪᓗᒋᑦ ᐃᒪᖁᑎᕗᑦ, ᐱᕈᖅᑐᑦ, ᓄᓇ, ᐃᔾᔪᖅ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓂᕐᔪᑎᑦ ᓱᕐᕋᖏᓪᓗᒋᑦ: Keep our waterways, plants, soils and wildlife intact: • ᐃᒪᖅᓱᖕᓃᖃᑦᑕᖏᓪᓗᑎᒃ, ᖃᐅᓯᖅᑐᓂ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑰᒐᓛᓂ • Stay out of sensitive areas such as marshes, swamps and streams • ᐊᑐᐃᓐᓇᐅᔭᕌᖓᑕ, ᐃᑳᕈᑎᓂᒃ ᐊᑐᖃᑦᑕᕐᓗᑎᑦ ᐃᑳᕋᓱᓕᕌᖓᕕᑦ ᐊᕿᑦᑐᒥ • When available, use bridges to cross soft surfaces • ᐃᒪᕐᒥᒃ ᐃᑳᖅᓯᖃᑦᑕᕐᓗᑎᑦ ᐊᑐᕆᐊᖓ ᐊᑐᕐᓗᒍ, ᐃᒃᑲᓐᓂᖅᓴᒃᑯᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓄᓇᒃᑯᑦ ᑎᓯᓂᖅᓴᒃᑰᖃᑦᑕᕐᓗᑎᑦ • Cross waterways at right angles, where the water level is low and the ground is firm • ᐃᖏᕐᕋᑦᑕᐃᓕᒪᖃᑦᑕᕐᓗᑎᑦ ᐱᕈᖅᑐᑦ ᖄᖓᒍᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐃᕙᕕᐅᔪᑦ • Avoid riding on/over vegetation and nesting areas • ᐊᖑᔮᖃᖃᑦᑕᖏᓪᓗᑎᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐸᒡᕕᓴᐃᖃᑦᑕᖏᓪᓗᑎᑦ ᐆᒪᔪᓂᒃ • Don’t chase or harass wildlife

ᐃᖅᑲᐅᒪᓂᐊᖅᐳᑦ, ᐅᔾᔨᖅᓱᑦᑎᐊᖏᓪᓗᑎᑦ ᑎᓴᒪᓕᖕᒥᒃ ᐊᑐᕈᕕᑦ ᐃᒻᒥᓂᒃ ᐋᓐᓂᕈᓐᓇᖅᐳᑎᑦ Remember, careless ATV use can cause personal injury and environmental damage! ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓄᓇᒥᒃ ᓱᕋᑦᑎᕆᔪᓐᓇᖅᐳᑎᑦ! • Avoid creating new routes or widening existing trails • ᓄᑖᓂᒃ ᐃᒡᓕᓂᓕᐅᖃᑦᑕᖏᓪᓗᑎᑦ ᐊᖅᑯᓯᐅᖃᑦᑕᖏᓪᓗᑎᓪᓗ ᐅᕝᕙᓘᓐᓃᖅ ᐃᒡᓕᓂᐊᕆᔭᐅᓯᒪᔪᓂᒃ • Practice proper braking, steering and acceleration to reduce environmental impact ᓯᓕᒃᓯᑎᑦᑎᖃᑦᑕᖏᓪᓗᑎᑦ • Keep your ATV well-maintained and tuned to reduce pollution • ᓄᖅᑲᓕᒻᒪᒃᓴᖃᑦᑕᕐᓗᑎᑦ, ᓴᖑᐃᓕᒻᒪᒃᓴᖃᑦᑕᕐᓗᑎᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓱᒃᑲᐃᓕᖃᑦᑕᕐᓗᑎᑦ ᓄᓇ ᓱᕋᑦᑎᖁᓇᒍ • Where available, take an approved ATV rider course • ᑎᓴᒪᓖᑦ ᓱᕋᔾᔭᐃᖅᓯᒪᑎᖃᑦᑕᕐᓗᒍ ᓴᓇᖃᑦᑕᕐᓗᒍ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐳᔪᕐᓗᖕᒥᒃ ᐳᔫᖏᓐᓂᖅᓴᐅᖁᓪᓗᒍ Respect others and our land: • ᐊᑐᐃᓐᓇᐅᔭᕌᖓᑦ, ᐊᖏᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᔪᓂᒃ ᑎᓴᒪᓕᖕᒧᑦ ᐃᖏᕐᕋᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖃᑕᐅᖃᑦᑕᕐᓗᑎᑦ • Know your route and always stay on the trail ᐊᓯᖏᓂᒃ ᐅᐱᒍᓱᖕᓗᑎᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓄᓇᖁᑦᑎᓐᓂᒃ: • Avoid culturally important sites: refer to a map at your local wildlife office • ᖃᐅᔨᒪᑦᑎᐊᕐᓗᒍ ᐊᖅᑯᑏᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐃᒡᓕᓂᒃᑰᖏᓐᓇᕐᓗᑎᑦ • Slow down and use appropriate hand signals when encountering other trail users • ᐅᐸᒐᑎᖃᑦᑕᖏᓪᓗᑎᑦ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐃᑦᑕᕐᓂᓴᖃᕐᕕᕕᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ: ᓄᓇᓐᖑᐊᒥᒃ ᑕᑯᒋᐊᖃᑦᑕᕐᓗᑎᑦ ᓄᓇᑦᓯᓐᓂ • Obey posted signage and operate your ATV as quietly as possible ᐆᒪᔪᕐᓂᐊᖅᑎᒃᑯᑦ ᑎᑎᕋᕐᕕᖓᓐᓂ • Pack out what you pack in: help keep our land clean and leave it better than you found it • ᓱᒃᑲᐃᓕᒋᐊᖃᑦᑕᕐᓗᑎᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐊᑐᖃᑦᑕᕐᓗᑎᑦ ᐊᒡᒐᖕᓄᑦ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᒃᑯᑕᕐᓂᒃ ᓇᒧᓐᖓᐅᓂᕐᓂᒃ ᐊᓯᖕᓂᒃ ᐃᒡᓕᓂᒃᑰᑦ Getting out and enjoying the land and all it has to offer helps build a better appreciation ᐃᖏᕐᕋᔪᖃᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ for the outdoors and helps strengthen our connection to the land. It is • ᓈᓚᑦᑎᐊᖃᑦᑕᕐᓗᒋᑦ ᐊᖅᑯᒻᒥ ᑎᑎᕋᖅᓯᒪᔪᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑎᓴᒪᓕᖁᑎᒋᔭᐃᑦ ᓂᐱᑭᑎᓐᓇᓱᐊᕐᓗᒍ ᐊᑐᖃᑦᑕᕐᓗᒍ important to be aware that if we abuse it, we may lose it! If we • ᓴᓗᒻᒪᖅᓴᐃᖃᑦᑕᕐᓗᑎᑦ ᓴᓃᑦ ᓇᒃᓴᖃᑦᑕᕐᓗᒋᑦ: ᓄᓇᕗᑦ ᓴᓗᒪᓂᐊᕐᒪᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐱᐅᓂᖅᓴᐅᓗᓂ ᕿᒪᒡᓗᒍ ᐅᐸᒍᓯᕆᓚᐅᖅᑕᕐᓂᑦapply our respect for the land, we can ensure that what we ᐊᓃᖃᑦᑕᕐᓗᓂ ᑲᔾᔭᐅᓴᖃᑦᑕᕐᓗᓂ ᓄᓇᒥ ᖁᔭᓕᓇᕐᓂᖅᓴᐅᖕᒪᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓴᓐᖓᒃᑎᑦᑎᖃᑦᑕᖅᑐᖅ ᓄᓇᒥᐅᑕᐅᓂᕆᔭᑦᑎᓐᓂᒃ. have today will be here to enjoy tomorrow. ᐱᒻᒪᕆᐅᕗᖅ ᖃᐅᔨᒪᑦᑎᐊᕆᐊᖃᕋᑦᑕ ᐊᑐᕐᓂᕐᓗᒋᐊᖃᖏᓐᓂᑦᑎᓐᓂ ᓄᓇᒥᒃ, ᐊᓯᐅᔨᑐᐃᓐᓇᕆᐊᖃᕋᑦᑎᒍ! ᐊᑐᕈᑦᑎᒍ www.nwmb.com ᐅᐱᒍᓱᖕᓂᕆᔭᕗᑦ ᓄᓇᒥᒃ, ᓯᕗᒧᐊᒃᑎᑦᑎᔪᓐᓇᖅᐳᒍᑦ ᐅᓪᓗᒥ ᐊᑐᖅᑕᕗᑦ ᓯᕗᓂᒃᓴᒥ ᐊᑐᖅᑕᐅᑦᑎᐊᕈᓐᓇᖁᓪᓗᒍᑦᑕᐅᖅ. www.gov.nu.ca Wildlife

We’re very fond of our fauna!

Mighty muskoxen stand on guard. Photo by Michelle Valberg

Beluga grow to 20 metres (66 ft.) in length and Caribou The beluga or white whale (Delphinapterus weigh up to 136 tonnes (300,000 lb.) – The most important land mammal to the leucas) is an arctic species of marine mammal second only to the blue whale in body mass. Inuit is the caribou (Rangifer tarandus) – closely related to the narwhal. It is some- Living year-round in Nunavut waters, two ‘tuktu’ in Inuktitut – which has been hunted times called the sea canary due to its high- populations of bowhead estimated to total for food, clothing, shelter and tools by pitched squeaks, squeals, clucks and whistles. 1,000 whales reside in the Hudson Bay/Foxe humans ever since the Stone Age. Few Residing in both arctic and sub-arctic waters, Basin region and along the east coast of Baf- sights are more spectacular than witnessing pods of belugas often congregate near the fin Island. Bowhead watching takes place a massive herd of these migrating beasts mouths of rivers. They can sometimes be from Nunavut communities such as Capep thunderingg over the tundra. More than seen from the land, but the most enjoyable DDorset,orset, CClydelyde RRiver,iver, HHalall Beach,Beach, Igloolik,Igloolik, 7750,00050,000 ccaribouaribou lliveive iinn NNunavutu and the way to watch beluga whales in Nunavut is Kugaaruk,Kugaaruk, Pangnirtung,Pangnirtung, PondPond Inlet,Inlet, a ancientncient mmigrationigration ppatternsatterns of the various with a locally guided boat tour. Belugas are RepulseRepulse BayBay andand QikiqtarjuaqQikiqtarjuaq. hherdserds ((Bathurst,Bathurst, BBeverly,e Peary and common to Nunavut com munities along the TheThe bowbowhheadead iiss oonene ooff tthehe Q Qamama n nirjuaq)irjuaq) are well known western coast of Hudson Bay, near Foxe llongest-livingongest-living mmammalsammals ttoo IInuitnuit hhuntersun and guides. Basin and along the eastern shores of Baffin iinn tthehe wworldorld ((150-150- CCommunitiesommuni such as Baker Island as far north as Pond Inlet. 220000 yyears)ears) aandnd iitt LLake,ake, CCambridgeam Bay, ppossessesossesses tthehe llargestargest CChesterfieldhesterfi Inlet, Kim- Bowhead mmouthouth ooff aanyny mmirut,irut, K Kugaaruk, Repulse The bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus), aanimal.nimal. BayBay andand ResoluteR can which is also known as the Greenland right provideprovide reliablere caribou whale, or arctic whale, is a massive, dark- excursions.excursions. coloured baleen whale. This leviathan can PhotoPhoto byby FredFred LemireL 26 www.travelnunavut.ca Photo by Fred Lemire

Photo by Michelle Valberg

Muskox Narwhal The best areas for viewing are near the Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) are magnifi- The most unique whale inhabiting Nunavut communities of Resolute and Pond Inlet. cent animals from the Pleistocene Ice Age. waters is the narwhal (Monodon monoceros) Usually travelling in pods of four to 20 ani- Noted for their long curved horns, thick coat which lives year-round in the Arctic. mals, the narwhal is deemed vulnerable to and the musky odour of the males in their Narwhal males are distinguished by a long, climate change due to its specialized diet mid-August rut, they are more closely re- straight, helical tusk extending to three me- and narrow geographical range between lated to sheep and goats than to oxen. Their tres (10 ft.) from theirir upperupper leftleft jaw.jaw. TheThe CCananadaada andand Greenland.Greenland. ancestors migrated into Nunavut about exact purpose of this ‘unicorn’‘unicorn’ tusktusk remainsremains 150,000 years ago, alongside the now-extinct a scientific mystery. InIn winter,winter, nanarwhalsrwhals Mammoth. Approximately 60,000 muskoxen, feed mostly on squid andand usually living in herds of 10-20 animals, flatfish at depths of upup toto can be found thriving in several parts of 1,500 metres (4,921 ft.)ft.) Nunavut. Communities such as Cambridge under dense pack ice.. InIn Bay, Gjoa Haven and Grise Fiord all have summer, they move nearby resident muskox populations. Local closer to shore and guides or ecotourism operators know their are more easily migration patterns throughout the year and sighted. can arrange encounters with these herds. The wool of the muskox – called ‘qiviut’ in Inuktitut – is highly prized for its softness, length and insulating quality.

Photo courtesy of Red Sun Productions 27 www.travelnunavut.ca Photo by Michelle Valberg

Polar Bear The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) – ‘nanuk’ in Inuktitut – is the world’s largest carnivore species found on land, as big as the omni - vorous kodiak, but more powerful. ‘Nanuk’ is an extremely dangerous, very patient and highly intelligent predator. An adult male polar bear can grow to three metres (10 ft.) in height when standing up and reach 720 kilograms (1,590 lb.) in body weight. Polar bears are excellent swimmers in the frigid Nunavut waters, travelling great distances across the sea ice to hunt seals along the floe edge. They are attracted to any potential food source, including bird nesting sites such as Akpatok Island, but also to the smells of campers cooking meals in remote locations. To safely see polar bears in Nunavut, from expert communities such as Qikiqtarjuaq, trust only an experienced guide or outfitter and use powerful binocu- lars and telephoto camera lenses.

Photo by Hans G. Pfaff 28 www.travelnunavut.ca Qikiqtaaluk Region

Kivalliq Region

Kitikmeot Region

Nunavut’s National Parks

Wildlife Areas and Bird Sanctuaries Alert

Territorial Parks QUTTINIRPAAQ NATIONAL PARK

Territorial Capital

Northwest Passage

ARCTIC OCEAN

Grise Fiord

BAFFIN BAY Polar Bear Pass National Wildlife Area

Pond Inlet Resolute Sirmilik National Park Clyde River Arctic Bay

Qikiqtarjuaq Qikiqtarjuaq

Auyuittuq National Park

Pangnirtung

Igloolik

Taloyoak Hall Beach Bowman Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

Gjoa Haven FOXE BASIN Cambridge Bay Kugaaruk Iqaluit Kugluktuk Frobisher Bay Repulse Bay Soper Heritage River Umingmaktok Queen Maud Gulf Kimmirut Bird Sanctuary Ukkusiksalik Cape Dorset Bathurst Inlet National Park Taqaiqsirvik Territorial Park Mallikjuaq Territorial Park Coral Harbour

Fossil Creek Trail Baker Lake

Thelon Chesterfield Inlet Wildlife Sanctuary Rankin Inlet Yellowknife Dubawnt Lake Whale Cove

Arviat

Sanikiluaq HUDSON BAY Cruises Voyage from sea to sea to see!

Breathtaking views surround these passengers. Below, travellers disembark the ship to explore ice floes. Photo by Hans G. Pfaff

Photo by Stephen Gorman One of the most exciting and unforgettable Siberia to Alaska. Nowadays, it is a superbly ways to experience Nunavut is on a deluxe relaxed and comfortable voyage. Northwest icebreaker cruise ship tour. The sailing Passage cruises may take you to the Nunavut season runs from July to September. These communities of Cambridge Bay, Gjoa hugely popular excursions will transport Haven, Pond Inlet and Resolute. you north of the magnetic pole, past glacial mountains and deep into the heart of High Arctic our land. In warmth, luxury and great company, High Arctic icebreaker cruises, fully Northwest Passage equipped with ship-to-shore capabilities, The historic quest for the Northwest can take you to visit ancient Thule ruins on Passage made heroes of arctic explorers like uninhabited Somerset Island, photograph Franklin and Amundsen. Many centuries the site of Franklin’s 1845 winter camp on earlier, however, Inuit forefathers had al- Beechey Island, then travel as far north as ready explored all the best routes and Tanquary Fiord on Ellesmere Island, at the channels through the Arctic top of the spinning world. Nunavut commu- Archipelago, having navigated nities visited on these cruises may include the circumpolar world westwards from

32 www.travelnunavut.ca Fishing Welcome to TrophyTerritory!

Flyfishing for arctic char in Nunavut. Photo courtesy of Nunavut Tourism

Fishing for fun and for food is a traditional Char Grayling Inuit family activity in Nunavut, which takes Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) is both a Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) is a place on both open and frozen waters. Criss- freshwater and saltwater fish, closely related feisty species of freshwater fish in the salmon crossed with numerous rivers and blessed to both salmon and trout. A char can weigh family. The arctic grayling can grow to 76 with many lakes, the best fishing spots nine kilograms (20 lb.) or more and its flesh centimetres (30 in.) in length and four kilo- located near every Nunavut community are colour may vary from bright red to pale or- grams (9 lb.) in weight, but most graylings well known to local guides.es. IInn aadditionddition ttoo anange-pink.ge-pink. No other freshwater fish is found caught in Nunavut, usually on lightweight ice-fishing in the spring, asas farfar northnorth as the char, which, for example, tackle or fly-fishing gear, weigh about two several fishing lodges isis thethe onlyonly speciess of fish in Lake Hazen on kilograms (4 lb.) or less. They are tasty and a and outfitters provide for northernmostnorthernmo Ellesmere Island. Captured all lot of fun to catch in lakes, rivers and rocky world-class sport fishing acrossacr Nunavut, especially in coastal streams. throughout the summer rivers, the char is by far the and fall. The best loca- most dominant, hardest-hit- Pike tions to catch the fol- ting and popular fish to The great northern pike (Esox lucius) is a lowing fish are listed in catch and eat, so popular carnivorous freshwater fish of the northern our Fishing Guide – with the Inuit people that it is hemisphere. Mostly olive green colour, which is available online aatt usually just called ‘fish’ – shading into yellow and white along the belly, www.nunavuttourism.com.m. ‘iqaluk’ in Inuktitut. pike can grow to a length of 150 centimetres (59 in.) and reach 25 kilograms (55 lb.) in Char photos courtesy of Canadianian ArcticArctic HolidaysHolidays

34 www.travelnunavut.ca Fishing for char in Cape Dorset. Photo by Lee Narraway

weight. As ambush predators, they strike Photo courtesy of Canadian Arctic Holidays with remarkable acceleration, which is a lot of fun to handle on a fishing line.

Trout Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) is actually a species of freshwater char, highly prized as both a game and food fish. They are native only to the northern lakes of North America, but have several names – grey trout, lake char, laker, paperbelly, salmon trout, siscowet, togue and touladi. In Nunavut, giant trophy- sized lake trout are commonly caught in the 10-23 kilogram (22-50 lb.) range! Some fishing lodges boast of their guests catching an average of 40 lake trout in a single day, which is quite a fish tale.

35

www.travelnunavut.ca Returning to town after a fishing trip you’ll treasure forever. Photo by Jean Weller

Walleye snailssnails andand insectsinsects andand growgrow toto 4646 centimetrescentimetres SeveralSeveral fishingfishing lodgeslodges andand The walleye (Sander vitreus) is a freshwater (18(18 in.)in.) inin length.length. WhitefishWhitefish meatmeat isis hhiighlyghly perch-like fish, mistakenly known in some pririzedzed forfor itsits fine,fine, delicatedelicate flavourflavour andand outfittersoutfitters provideprovide forfor parts of Canada as the coloured pike, yellow thethe roeroe isis calledcalled goldengolden caviar.caviar. pike or pickerel – although it is related to world-classworld-class sportsport neither pikes nor pickerels! Walleye belong A veryvery tastytasty fishfish preparationpreparation fishingfishing throughoutthroughout thethe to the ray-finned order of perciforms that in- inin NunavutNunavut isis drieddried arcticarctic cludes perch and sunfish. Walleye get their charchar – calledcalled ‘pitsi’‘pitsi’ inin summersummer andand fall.fall. name from the fact that their eyes, like those Inuktitut.Inuktitut. of cats, reflect light. On average, they grow to about 75 centi metres (30 in.) in length and seven kilograms (15 lb.) in weight.

Whitefish The lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) is a freshwater member of the salmon family which inhabits large rivers and deep lakes as far north as Victoria Island in Nunavut. Pri- marily bottom feeders, they eat crustaceans,

36 www.travelnunavut.ca

Floe Edge We love ‘sinaaq’ in the springtime!

Front row seating. Let the show begin! Photo by Hans G. Pfaff

‘Sinaaq’ is the Inuktitut word for the floe floor. In the springtime, the floe edge – freshwater when at sea. Experienced local edge, which is a very special place to be in where the open sea meets the frozen sea – guides, who are totally familiar with the the spring. A floe is a flat chunk of floating becomes one of the most dramatic and tides, weather patterns and changing ice con- sea ice up to 10 kilometres (6 miles) wide. As dynamic ecosystems on Earth. ditions, are the experts best qualified to de- drift ice, it will rise and fall with the tides and termine your safest and most enjoyable route travel with the ocean currents and arctic Guided Tours to and from the floe edge. winds unless it is blocked by fast ice, coastal From April through July in Nunavut, arctic sea ice fastened to the land or shallow sea wildlife gathers in abundance along the floe Icebergs edge – including walrus, seals, polar bears, Formed from snowflakes fallen 10,000 to Photo by Michelle Valberg narwhals, bowhead and beluga whales, plus 15,000 years ago, compressed then calved an astonishing variety of birds. It is a time of from glaciers into the crashing waves, great celebration for the Inuit people. Floe currents and gusting winds of the arctic, edge tours from many Nunavut communities titanic icebergs are often carved into some of like Clyde River, Coral Harbour, Igloolik, the most beautiful sculptures created by the Iqaluit, Pond Inlet and Qikiqtarjuaq will take forces of nature. Outfitters all over Nunavut you on a classic arctic adventure to witness offer iceberg tours, multi-day outings or this wildlife spectacle. On the way, you can day-trips. Notably, the entire northeastern enjoy magnificent mountain scenery, visit coastline of Baffin Island, from Qikiqtarjuaq bustling bird cliffs and pass drifting to Pond Inlet, is ranked as one of the world’s icebergs – which are an excellent source of greatest iceberg galleries.

38 www.travelnunavut.ca Photo courtesy of PolarSea.ca

Best Floe Edge Sightings Arctic Bay ...... June to Mid July Arviat ...... April to June Cape Dorset ...... April to June Chesterfield Inlet ...... May to June Coral Harbour ...... March to May Grise Fiord ...... April to May Hall Beach ...... March to April Igloolik ...... April to May Iqaluit ...... April to June Kimmirut ...... April to May Pangnirtung ...... April to June Photo courtesy of Brudder Productions Pond Inlet ...... May to June Qikiqtarjuaq ...... May to June The rugged yet flexible arctic sled, perfected Rankin Inlet ...... April to May in design by the Inuit for towing people and The floe edge is one of the most Resolute Bay ...... May to June supplies behind snowmobiles or dog teams, is dynamic ecosystems on Earth Sanikiluaq ...... March to April known as a ‘qamotiq’ in Inuktitut, English . Whale Cove ...... May to June and French.

39 www.travelnunavut.ca Birdwatching Birds of many feathers flock to get here! The majestic snowy owl makes Nunavut home all year. Photo by Fred Lemire

Nunavut has over 100 species of birds, nearly Nunavut is believed to reduce the risk of all of which are migratory species, with only predation on their eggs, helping to ensure the raven, the snowy owl and the ptarmigan the survival of auks, buntings, cranes, ducks, The prime spending the winter in permanent residence. finches, geese, gulls, jaegers, larks, loons, Inuit storytellers recount manyy ancient leg-g pip ppits,, plovers,p , sandpipers, terns and many birdwatching ends featuring thesese residentresident birds,birds, butbut thethe ootherther arcticarctic sspecies,peci including gyrfalcons. season in Nunavut trickster raven –w whosehose complexcomplex personalitypersonality TheThe primeprime birdsong/birdwatchingbir season often gets him intoo troubletrouble – isis adoredadored byby iinn NNunavutunavut bbeginsegin in June, as millions of begins in June, young and old. migratorymigratory birdsbirds returnr to the land where Huge populationsons ofof otherother speciesspecies ofof theythey werewere born.born. TheT spectacular Nunavut as millions of birds fly great distancestances ttoo NunavutNunavut fforor landscapelandscape rangesr dramatically – from breeding purposes,s, tendingtending toto quietquiet andand colourfully-flowered ex- migratory birds return to the samee nnestingesting pansespanses ofof gentle rolling tundra to grounds each year.r. TThehe eex-x- steepsteep rockyrock cliffs, towering like giant return to the traordinary physicalcal sshardshards ooff bbroken slate, which shelter land where they effort of migratingg ffromrom tenstens ofof thousandsth of squawking, hun- the southern hemi-i- grygry nestlingsnest perched high above were born. sphere to nest in thethe poundingpo arctic surf.

40 LaplandLapland LLongspurongspur www.travelnunavut.ca Many species of geese migrate to the cooler arctic during summers. Photo courtesy of Red Sun Productions

NunavutNunavut outfitters,outfitters, traveltravel agents,agents, lodgelodge ownersowners andand wildernesswilderness guidesguides cancan allall ssuggestuggest variousvarious birdwatchingbirdwatching opportunities.opportunities.

TheThe InuktitutInuktitut wordword forfor bbirdird iiss ‘tingmiaq’‘tingmiaq’ – thethe similarsimilar wordword ‘tingmisuk’‘tingmisuk’ meansmeans airplane.airplane.

RedRed PhalaropePhalarope

Photo courtesy of National Geographic

41 www.travelnunavut.ca Parksa nd Heritage Rivers Our relationship to the land is part of who we are!

Come explore the northern region of Baffin Island through Sirmilik National Park. Photo by Tom Knight, courtesy of Parks Canada

Nunavut contains many huge tracts of Parks website (www.nunavutparks.com) to mountains, including Mount Thor with the protected land – National Parks, Territorial learn more about these wonderful places – tallest vertical cliff face in the world, it is Parks, Bird and Wildlife Sanctuaries, which include Inuujaarvik, Pisuktinu home of the popular Akshayuk Pass hiking Archeological Sites, Heritage Rivers and Tunngavik, Tamaarvik, Taqaiqsirvik and trail, an ancient Inuit travel corridor. Historical Trails – in addition to Inuit Tupirvik Territorial Parks, the Northwest Camping, climbing and ice field skiing trips Owned Lands. These pristine wilderness Passage Trail site on King William Island, can be arranged with the Parks Canada office areas, historic sites and honoured places, are the Coppermine, Kazan, Soper and Thelon in nearby Pangnirtung. Outfitters from this reserved exclusively for the enjoyment and Heritage Rivers, plus the enormous Thelon community offer guided trips into the park. recreation of local and visiting people, while Wildlife Sanctuary. also preserving the natural habitats of our Please refer to the centrefold map of this Quttinirpaaq National Park wild flora and fauna. These carefully conserved travel planner to locate all the following Quttinirpaaq is Canada’s northernmost park, environmental and cultural treasures include parks in Nunavut: located in the high arctic near Grise Fiord on four National Parks and 13 Territorial Parks Ellesmere Island. The sun never sets during of breathtaking arctic beauty, significant the brief summertime here at the top of the archeological history and astounding wildlife National Parks world, with its endless vistas of mountains, diversity. They are very special places that fiords and glaciers. Home to muskoxen, Peary we protect for the benefit of our children, Auyuittuq National Park caribou, polar bears and walrus, for maximum your children and their children. Auyuittuq – Inuktitut for ‘land that never safety and enjoyment, it is recommended that Visit the Parks Canada website melts’ – is located on Baffin Island. With visitors to the park arrive via cruise ship or (www.parkscanada.ca) and the Nunavut sweeping glaciers and jagged granite chartered aircraft from Resolute.

42 www.travelnunavut.ca Sirmilik National Park Sirmilik – ‘home of many glaciers’ – is Photo by Michelle Valberg located on northern Baffin Island near Pond Inlet. Presented with great opportunities for kayaking, cross country skiing, hiking, boating and camping, visitors to the park enjoy watching the amazing wildlife, such as the thriving bird populations on mountainous Bylot Island and the migrating whales in Lancaster Sound. A nearby polynya (year- round open seawater surrounded by sea ice) attracts pods of narwhal, herds of seals and walruses, plus polar bears.

Ukkusiksalik National Park Named after the steatite (soapstone) found there, Ukkusiksalik – which means ‘where there is material for the stone pot’ – is located west of Repulse Bay, surrounding a long inlet on northwestern Hudson Bay. In Photo courtesy of Parks Canada 43 www.travelnunavut.ca Purple Saxifrage flowers in springtime. Photo by David Ho

addition to a reversing waterfall, plus 500 Iqaluit and Kimmirut is commonly used by River is forced into a narrow channel of archeological sites dating back to 1,000 A.D., the locals during winter and spring time. boiling rapids and twisting eddies known as the park is home to such species as the arctic Visitors can ski this beautiful trail in spring Kugluk (meaning 'place of rapids') in the hare, arctic wolf, beluga and bowhead whale, and hike in summer time. There are emer- local Inuinnaqtun dialect. It is also known caribou, grizzly bear, gyrfalcon, muskox, gency cabins located along the trail and by its historic English name ‘Bloody Falls’. peregrine falcon and polar bear. The best Kimmirut is a great place to end this adven- As a site used for fishing and hunting for way to see the park is by boat. turous trip, go out and talk to the locals. over 7,000 years by several different cultural Kimmirut is also famous for its carvings groups, Kugluk continues to be an important and jewelry. harvesting place for residents of Kugluktuk, Territorial Parks The history of Europeans and Ameri- and for recreational activities that are en- can whalers still lingers in Kekerten Island. joyed by residents and tourist alike. Come Iqalugaarjuup Nunanga Located in Cumberland Sound, 50 km (31 and be awed by the river. Territorial Park miles) from Pangnirtung, this island was the The name refers to “the land in and around site of the eastern arctic’s first permanent Mallikjuaq Territorial Park Meliadine River (Iqalugaarjuk)” and is lo- whaling station dating back to 1840. Scottish Mallikjuaq means ‘big wave’ in Inuktitut – cated northwest of Rankin Inlet. This park and American whalers were regular inhabi- an appropriate name for Mallikjuaq Island, protects dozens of beautiful archeological tants of this small island. However, it was the where the topography of the land rising sites as well as habitat of numerous wildlife local Inuit with their expertise of wildlife be- out of the Hudson Strait rolls like gigantic species. Enjoy hiking, camping and the fish- havior and survival techniques, and who also ocean swells. Located near the vibrant com- ing to the same level of enjoyment the Inuit lived on the island that were instrumental in munity of Cape Dorset, which is world- ancestors felt for this area. From berry pick- the success of the whale era. Come and expe- renowned for its traditional Inuit art, the ing, watching hundreds of caribou migrate, rience the past, its adventures, its tragedies park features important archeological sites to participating in the local fishing derby, and so much more. that date back three millennia. Seemingly this park is a paradise. barren at first glance, the tundra landscape Katannilik meaning “where there are Kugluk (Bloody Falls) Territorial Park is actually very rich, with wildflowers and waterfalls” is truly an amazing back country This park is located south of Kugluktuk, bird nesting grounds. park. Itijjagiaq trail, the traditional trail from where the broad, swift-flowing Coppermine

44 www.travelnunavut.ca Photo by Clare Kines

Photo courtesy of Parks Canada

Spoil yourself to the unspoiled beauty of Arctic adventure.

Ovayok Territorial Park Ovayok (Mount Pelly) Territorial Park is located 15 kilometres (9 miles) east of Cam- bridge Bay on Victoria Island. The central feature of this park is the mountain called Ovayok, which rises 200m above the sur- rounding tundra and provides habitat for rare and sensitive plants, peregrine falcons and other bird and mammal species – including wandering herds of muskox. For generations, Ovayok has been an important landmark and source of legend for Inuit and their predeces- sors. Hear the legends of Ovayok.

www.travelnunavut.ca The beauty of Nunavut parks and heritage rivers captivates everyone that visits. Photo by David Ho

Qaummaarviit Territorial Park Sylvia Grinnell Territorial Park Heritage Rivers This tiny little rocky island, located south- Situated very close to the city of Iqaluit, a west of Iqaluit, Qaummaarviit (the place mere 30-minute walk from the capital of Kazan Heritage River that shines) is full of Inuit historical activi- Nunavut, is the picturesque park divided in The Kazan River flows through the cradle ties. This island was an ideal location for two by the meandering Sylvia Grinnell of Caribou Inuit culture. In the heart of the winter and summer habitat. Half buried River. The river is an excellent spot to catch barrenlands of Nunavut, the river lies on remains of several sod houses can still be arctic char and the rolling tundra landscape the migration route of the 320,000 strong seen on the island and together with, tent along its rapids is a popular picnic location. Kaminuriak caribou herd, the largest move- rings, fox traps, kayak stand and numerous One of the most rare of all plants growing in ment of land mammals in the world. When grave sites, they will give you an idea of Canada, the woodsia fern grows there. The glacier ice retreated some 5,000 years ago, what life must have been like. Come feel park’s popular campgrounds and picnic areas Inuit came seasonally from the Hudson Bay the spirits of this island. are used heavily during the summer months. coast to hunt caribou. The banks of the This is a good place to go and unwind and Kazan are rich with signs of former Inuit connect to the environment. occupation, including rock piles called

46 www.travelnunavut.ca Photo by Lee Narraway

Nunavut’s rivers are the lifeblood of the land.

47 www.travelnunavut.ca “inukshuk”, standing sentinel at river crossings, campsites and caches. The Kazan watershed barrens support not only vast numbers of caribou, but also numerous muskox, the rare wolverine, and more than 60 species of birds. Peregrine falcon nests along the river, favouring the spectacular cliff sides of Kazan Falls, and the river’s pure waters support an array of fish, including lake trout and grayling.

Soper Heritage River The Soper River winds through the tundra- covered hills of southern Baffin Island. Its valley, sheltered from harsh winds, supports a “forest” of willows up to 3.6 metres high, and a lush profusion of Arctic wildflowers. Game such as caribou, ptarmigan and Arctic hare, and fish including Arctic char in the river and Greenland cod in Soper Lake are plentiful. The Inuit have used the river as a vital source of food and travel for thousands of years. The river’s traditional name is ‘Kuujuak’, or Great River, in Inuktitut.

Thelon Heritage River Sweeping majestically out of spruce-lined valleys and winding across trackless tundra, the Thelon Heritage River offers unparal- leled wildlife viewing of muskox, caribou, wolves, grizzlies, peregrine falcons, rough- legged hawks, and more. The Thelon Her- itage River is the largest river (over 900 km) in Nunavut that flows into Hudson Bay. Sandy beaches along these lakes offer good camping. This river has long been home to the Caribou Inuit, and the shores are rich in old campsites with tent rings, storage caches, game drive systems with inuksuit, and more. The last 100 kilometre stretch of river down to Baker Lake offers a thrilling ride through high-walled banks and a swift current.

Coppermine River (nominated) The Coppermine River is the first river flowing into the Arctic Ocean Basin to be nominated to the Canadian Heritage Rivers System (CHRS). It is 450 km long from the Nunavut border to Kugluktuk, including the Kendall River and Melville Creek tribu- taries. It flows in a wide sweeping valley within the northwestern part of the Cana- dian Shield, north of Yellowknife and Great Slave Lake and east of Great Bear Lake. Caribou, muskox, wolverine, wolves, moose,

fox and a variety of raptors can be found Cascading Bloody Falls just 13kms here. The Coppermine and its environment from Kugluktuk is unspoiled; left just as are essentially unchanged since the first created by mother nature. British explorers saw it. Photo by Kurtis Oman

48

www.travelnunavut.ca 49 www.travelnunavut.ca Kayaking, Canoeing& Rafting Ancient vessels are still the best!

Camping in Nunavut is as unique as the surroundings. Photo by Maureen Bretz, courtesy of Blackfeather

The kayak – ‘qajaq’ in Inuktitut – was shorelines and fiords, view walrus and other Canoeing developed 4,000 years ago by Inuit marine mammals, touch an iceberg and take Ranging from easy to strenuous, from begin- fore fathers who constructed them with ani- fantastic photographs while traversing arctic ner to expert level, Nunavut has some of the mal skins stretched over frames of bone or waters as the Inuit have done for thousands most beautiful waters for canoeing in the driftwood. of years. entire world – including the Coppermine Nunavut’s many freshwaters, scores of Outfitters will guide you to the floe edge Heritage River in Kitikmeot, the Kazan and rivers and thousands of lakes, thaw in the late in late spring and early summer. The best Thelon Heritage Rivers in Kivalliq and the springtime and most of its 45,000 kilometres month is August. Always exercise caution in Soper Heritage River in Qikiqtaaluk. Guided (28,000 miles) of arctic coastline, with your kayak and be properly dressed with by local experts, with added safety in groups, spectacular bays, fiords and inlets, become protective neoprene clothing. The summer unforgettable paddling adventures of up to fully navigable and vessel-friendly when the sea is still dangerously cold water, the tides 200 kilometres (120 miles) without a single sea ice breaks up by July. are strong, ice floes can drift quickly in the portage can lead you through pristine arctic wind and bowhead whales and narwhals lands which are home to some magnificent Kayaking sometimes appear unexpectedly. During the herds of muskox and caribou. Canoeing outfit- Nunavut is a world-class destination for spring runoff, whitewater kayaking takes ters for Nunavut’s many tundra and coastal expert sea kayaking. With an experienced place on rapid Nunavut waterways such as waterways, thrilling rapids and stunning guide, from communities such as Igloolik, the Sylvia Grinnell River located near waterfalls, are found in the communities of Kimmirut, Kugaaruk, Pond Inlet, Resolute Iqaluit. Baker Lake, Bathurst Inlet, Igloolik, and Sanikiluaq, you can explore rocky Kimmirut, Kugluktuk, Rankin Inlet and Repulse Bay.

50 www.travelnunavut.ca Photo by Tessa MacIntosh, courtesy of Travel Nunavut

Photo by Ross Glenfield, courtesy of Parks Canada

Rafting Gliding downstream in a big raft, under the sun River rafting adventures in Nunavut vary from warm weather express runs and easy- that never sets, is a truly superb way to see Nunavut. going float fishing trips – fully catered and equipped – to once in a lifetime whitewater thrills set through Class V rapids. Nunavut rafting trips are timed to coincide with historic caribou migrations, often including the riverside presence of wolves, eagles and gyrfalcons. They are tailored by outfitters to suit your level of expertise, from short runs to multi-day excursions down rivers like the Burnside, the Coppermine and the Soper. Gliding downstream in a big raft, under the sun that never sets, is a truly superb way to see and enjoy the striking tundra landscapes and diverse wildlife habitats of Nunavut.

The Inuktitut word for whitecaps is ‘qagaaqtuq’ and ‘uqsuaqtuq’ means smooth, calm seas.

www.travelnunavut.ca Camping & Hiking Inuksuks may mark the way to ancient tent rings of stone!

Camping, Nunavut style. Photo by Steve Ruskay, courtesy of Blackfeather

The wonderful physical adventure of camp- Camping tent pitched in Nunavut must be secured ing in the wild, panoramic expanses of When Inuit people go camping – for fishing, with guy ropes to resist the powerful arctic Nunavut differs significantly from pitching a hunting or berry picking – it is something winds. tent in the overcrowded campgrounds of the special and cultural that they have always Designated camping spots in Nunavut southern world. Instead of hiking behind done. The solid land of Nunavut resists are rare. Campers are generally left on their large numbers of people along well-used pegging, so tent ropes are tied to rocks own, so hiring an experienced guide or out- paths set through groomed woods, hikers in instead. In prime camping locations, these fitter is highly recommended. These experts Nunavut often find themselves completely same circles of stones may have been left know the best campsites, chosen long ago for alone with raw nature, perhaps to follow behind by ancestors for centuries of seasonal good reasons such as shelter, abundant fresh some ancient trails cut into Precambrian reuse. water, quality of fishing or excellent lookout bedrock, worn smooth by centuries of The traditional Inuit technique of views of passing wildlife. The national parks migrating caribou hooves. constructing tents from animal skins for in Nunavut have certain designated camping Under the great big arctic skies of summer, like their ingenious building of sites which campers are advised to use. Nunavut – in winter, spring, summer or igloos in winter, is a living art. However, Summertime camping opportunities in fall – and far from the crowds of the south, most Inuit families today prefer to use a Nunavut include the migratory bird wetlands the healthy, peaceful, very enjoyable outdoor large, durable tent made of canvas that is of Polar Bear Pass near Resolute, along the activities of camping and hiking with friends easily transported by snowmobile, boat, shores of Whale Cove to watch chattering in Nunavut will provide an unforgettable ATV, airplane or dogsled. Whether belugas from Hudson Bay, at spectacular lifetime experience. supported by poles or freestanding, any Akshayuk Pass in mountainous Auyuittuq

52 www.travelnunavut.ca Photo by Christian Kimber

Photo by Pierre Dunnigan

National Park near Pangnirtung. Winter- ing bird habitats, beautiful arctic shores, time igloo camping can also be done safely superb fishing spots and important archeo- Camping and hiking with near any community in Nunavut – from logical sites. Another excellent historical southernmost Sanikiluaq to northernmost Nunavut hike, which commemorates the friends in Nunavut will provide an Grise Fiord. great arctic explorers Amundsen and unforgettable lifetime experience. Franklin, is located in the Northwest Passage Hiking Historical Park near the community of Gjoa Nunavut offers a full range of hiking Haven. adventures, from casual strolls to mountain climbs. One of the best hiking areas in The Inuktitut word for a modern Nunavut is Auyuittuq National Park, tent is ‘tupiq’ and ‘ittaq’ is the especially near Mount Thor – a towering word for a traditional skin granite peak located 46 kilometres (29 miles) tent. northeast of Pagnirtung which features the world’s tallest vertical cliff face drop of 1,250 metres (4,101 ft.) making it very popular with mountain climbers. Hiking in and around Cambridge Bay on Victoria Island will lead trekkers to thriv-

53 www.travelnunavut.ca Photo courtesy of Parks Canada

Safety must first advise the local Parks staff, or the Choose the Right Campsite When you go camping or hiking in the Arc- RCMP office. Summer campers may prefer elevated, tic, Safety-First must be Rule # 1! If you plan Here are seven safety tips for campers breezy spots to limit insect bites. In winter, to go outside of municipal boundaries, you and hikers in Nunavut: however, you will need the morning sun- shine. Take note of where the sun will rise Dress Properly and angle your tent to take advantage of the You want clothes that keep you warm when dawn. Shield the tent door from the wind. you’re not moving. Layer up. Start with thermal underwear. Choose breathable fleece Hydrate, Then Hydrate Some More to inhibit the accumulation of perspiration. You may not feel thirsty in cold weather, If you prefer natural fibers, choose merino but staying hydrated is just as important in wool or wool-fleece blends that are warm winter as it is in summer. Drink water (warm without being itchy. Pack a scarf that you or cold), hot tea, or hot chocolate—which can take off and on easily to regulate body also provides high-calorie fuel for your temperature. Take a lightweight jacket that adventure. is both waterproof and breathable. Fleece or wool toques can be made windproof with a Be Ready for Condensation hood. Leave your cotton socks at home. As you breathe in a warm tent on a cold Instead, choose wool or wicking polyester night, condensation will form on your tent socks designed for hiking. Boots don't have ceiling. Be ready for it to "snow" down on to be expensive, but they should be water- you in the morning. In the morning be sure proof, especially if you plan on hiking to dry out your sleeping bag before using it through snow. again. To minimize condensation, you can vent your tent at night—but it won't hold Never Neglect Your Hands heat as well. To keep your fingers warm, pack glove liners and gloves, then mitts or gauntlets to layer Wear Your Clothes to Bed over them. Carry some chemical heating Stripping down before you get into a sleep- pads for when you need a little heat boost. ing bag is not smart. Put on everything you brought before you turn in for the night. If Think Fire the cook-stove or campfire is still going, heat When you arrive at your campsite, start your some water, pour it into a water bottle and fire before doing any other setup. Plan ahead snuggle into your bag with it. Remember and always pack fire sources. You can go low- that even a little bit of heat can go a long, tech with tightly packed dryer lint stuffed long way. into small containers, or high-tech with magnesium fire starters.

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www.travelnunavut.ca Wilderness Lodges HomeHome isis wherewhere thethe heartheart is!is!

Wilderness lodges are located throughout Nunavut. Photo courtesy of Arctic Watch Wilderness Lodge

In the great outdoors of Nunavut, where high degree of personal service. Depending or special areas for filming migrating caribou pods of belugas sing and herds of caribou upon the season, you might arrive to the herds as seen from above. You can also wander, fantastically far away from most lodge by plane, boat, dogsled or snowmobile. explore wilderness areas in kayaks or human habitation, are some magnificent There are no formal roads to follow in most inflatable rafts, by mountain biking, hiking, wilderness lodgings. After sea kayaking near parts of Nunavut – just good routes! or by cruising across the rolling terrain on icebergs, taking pictures of lounging walrus, an ATV. In wintertime conditions, your fishing for char in rapid waters or hiking by Transportation lodge can be supplied with snowmobiles or cliffs teeming with birdlife, it is a sweet Across the pristine arctic hinterlands of dogsledding teams – whichever you prefer. retreat to the comforts of home in the wild. Nunavut, the wilderness lodging experience Guided by local experts, who are familiar will be tailored to suit your desired degree of with the best routes and safest means of Location self-reliance and personal freedom at transportation, wilderness lodge excursions Wilderness adventure lodges in Nunavut are different times of the year. You can be flown can take you to witness muskoxen roaming situated in remote locations specifically in by bush plane, to comfortable cabins set the tundra valleys, to see pods of narwhals chosen for a wide variety of outdoor activities up for canoeing, fishing, wildlife viewing, swimming in nearby waters and – from a safe in superbly scenic arctic environments. They esker trekking and cross-country skiing distance – to watch polar bears wander along all come with expert local guidance, include adventures. Summer days can include bush the floe edge. maximum safety preparations and provide a plane trips to terrific waters for fly-fishing,

56 www.travelnunavut.ca Cozy cabins in Bathurst Inlet. Below, cabins at Camp Ekaluk and the Elu Inlet Lodge. Photo courtesy of Bathurst Inlet Lodge

Photo courtesy of B & J Flyfishing Adventures Photo by Daniel J. Cox

Food Wilderness lodges will prepare all your meals for you. These specialized lodges are equipped and stocked for good cooking and casual dining experiences. Perhaps to feast There are no formal on some fresh fish that you caught that day. Other yummy meals might include a variety roads to follow in most of local foods prepared in some very tasty and interesting ways, such as roasted racks of parts of Nunavut muskox, barbecued caribou burgers, smoked char, sashimi or chowder and freshly made – just good routes! bannock. Good food makes for good times in good company. Enjoy!

The Inuktitut word ‘illuralaaq’ is how to say ‘cabin’ up here.

57 www.travelnunavut.ca