Nunavut Parks & Special Places – Editorial Series January, 2008

Soper Heritage River

A ribbon of green against a gray-green backdrop incredible recreational opportunities, the Soper of rocky uplands, the Soper River flows through was designated a Canadian Heritage River in the heart of the Meta Incognita Peninsula on the 1992. The Canadian Heritage Rivers Program is south end of . At the lower end, the Canada’s national river conservation program, river empties into Soper Lake and from there into and promotes, protects, and enhances Canada’s Pleasant Inlet on the . leading rivers.

Inuit call this river the Kuujuaq, or “great river”, Approximately two-thirds of the river flows and have traveled through this natural inland through Katannilik Territorial Park, which was corridor for centuries. The English name, Soper created shortly after the designation of the Soper. River, honours J. Dewey Soper, a biologist who The term “Katannilik” means “where undertook exploratory surveys along the Meta there are waterfalls”, and refers to the many Incognita Peninsula and in the valley of the river waterfalls cascading down the valley walls into that now bears his name. the Soper valley. The Itijjagiaq Trail, a traditional travel route through the Soper River valley and The lush plant life of the valley supports good across the Meta Incognita Peninsula. is today numbers of caribou, and the area has always followed by skiers, snowmobilers, dog teams, been a prime hunting area for Inuit. Due to its and hikers in summer, as well as Inuit hunters, importance as a hunting and travel corridor for and local people traveling between Inuit for several centuries, its natural beauty and . and wealth of wildlife and birdlife, and its

Aussi disponible en français xgw8Ns7uJ5 wk5tg5 Pilaaktut Inuinaqtut ᑲᔾᔮᓇᖅᑐᖅ k a t j a q n a a q listen to the land aliannaktuk en osmose avec la terre

Inuit call this river the Kuujuaq, or “great river”, and have traveled through this natural inland corridor for centuries.

shores along the river, and thick-billed park. They will also help visitors arrange for ᑲᔾᔮᓇᖅᑐᖅ k a t j a q n a a q murres and black guillemots can be seen home-stay accommodations in Kimmirut. listen to the landon the sea near Kimmirut. The new Taqaiqsirvik Territorial Park aliannaktuk Campground provides a place to camp en osmose avec la Atterre the southern end, the river flows over in Kimmirut. Soper Falls into Soper Lake. Along the river there are striking rock outcrops, deeply TheSoper River Guidebook provides detailed incised caribou trails, interesting glacial information about wildlife and the ecology ᑲᔾᔮᓇᖅᑐᖅ k a t j a q n a a q landforms, superb shows of wildflowers, of the park and good canoeing information listen to the land and much more. Geology enthusiasts will regarding rapids, takeout spots, campsites, aliannaktuk The valley of the Soper is sheltered from be delighted by the variety of outcrops, emergency shelters, and park structures en osmose avec la terre harsh winds and supports a lush profusion fossils, and interesting rocks including lapis along the route, as well as information as of wildflowers as well as unusually tall lazuli, marble, mica, graphite, fossiliferous to how to arrange for drop-offs and pick- willows, many more than 3 metres tall and limestone, and garnets. The mica and ups in the park. The guidebook contains growing faster than similar willows in some lapis lazuli deposits are located on parcels fold-out topographic maps with interesting parts of central Alberta. In mid-summer, the of Inuit-owned land within the park features marked and described in the text. wildflowers are spectacular, and berries ripen boundaries and require special permission It is indispensable for a trip on the river. Its toward mid-August. By early September, the to access. sister guidebook, The Itijjagiaq Trail, is also tundra is resplendent in its vivid fall colours. of great value for those considering a trip At the Kimmirut end, where Soper Lake into this park. Wildlife viewing opportunities are superb; empties into the ocean, there is a set of caribou may be seen in all seasons, as can “reversing falls” that brings salt water into Travelling to the Park arctic foxes, arctic hares and lemmings. the lake. Here the 10 metre tides on Pleasant The Soper is one of the premier canoeing Wolves and polar bears are occasionally seen, Inlet cause the river to actually reverse at rivers in , and is readily accessible so having a knowledge of bear safety and high tide, and salt water flows into Soper from Iqaluit. The large watershed ensures a having bear deterrents along is advisable. Lake (also called Tasiujajuaq). Care should good flow of water throughout the summer, Some 40 species of birds have been seen be taken when paddling this area on a rising and about 50 kilometres of navigable in the park, and the summer months are a or falling tide. waters from July through September. It is good time to see rock ptarmigan, peregrine not a technically challenging river, so can Culture and hospitality falcons, gyrfalcons, snowy owls, as well as be enjoyably canoed, kayaked, or rafted Also in Kimmirut, the Katannilik Park waterfowl such as red-throated and Pacific by novice paddlers. The great variety of Centre, and the Soper House Gallery loons, red-breasted mergansers, brant side streams that flow into the valley, offer located in the historic Dewey Soper house geese, and, toward the end of the summer, numerous falls, cascades, and different next door, offer interpretive exhibits and migrating snow geese. Small tundra birds experiences, making it an excellent displays of local art, frequent opportunities are everywhere – snow buntings, horned 5-7 day trip from Mount Joy. larks, Lapland longspurs, and northern to meet the artists, and a place where you pipits. Shorebirds probe the edges of lakes can purchase sculptures, prints, and other Paddlers can also be taken by boat on and along the tidal flats, and the distinctive local arts and crafts. Park centre staff keep to the northern end of alarm cry of the golden plover echoes along track of visitors to the park and will also Katannilik Park, where they can hike in the ridges. Arctic terns nest on gravelly help arrange drop-offs and pick-ups in the along the Itijjagiaq Trail, but, generally, paddlers fly in by chartered aircraft Nunavut Parks before your trip. Using the Nunavut Parks to landing sites near Mount Joy or at services of a guide/outfitter reduces the risk & Special Places Y • Livingstone Falls, and paddle the river to and enhances the experience. 867.975.7700 867.975.7747 Kimmirut. The lower third of the river is [email protected] For help in planning a trip, or to find level and slow, so it is also possible to fly www.nunavutparks.com information on licensed operators to Kimmirut where you can rent canoes providing access services or guide services Katannilik Park Centre and gear for a trip on the lower Soper. (Kimmirut) in the park, visit the Nunavut Territorial Operators take paddlers upriver to Soper Y 867.939.2416 • 867.979.2406 Parks website at www.nunavutparks.com. Falls or Falcon Bluffs, and they paddle [email protected] You can also call the Katannilik Park downstream to the mouth of the river Centre in Kimmirut or the Unikkaarvik where they are picked up and taken the Nunavut Tourism Visitors’ Centre in Iqaluit for assistance Y • final 3 kilometres into Kimmirut. 866.NUN.AVUT 867.979.1261 or recommendations. Call Nunavut (1.866.686.2888) A trip on the Soper is not a casual day Tourism at 1-866-NUNAVUT to [email protected] outing. It is necessary to plan carefully to request the Nunavut Travel Planner, www.nunavuttourism.com avoid problems with weather or polar bears. which lists all licensed tourism operators, You are also required to register with accommodations and services. Unikkaarvik Visitors’ Centre (Iqaluit) Y 867.979.4636

Canadian Heritage Rivers Y 819.994.2913 www.chrs.ca Canada

USA

Safe and Sustainable Travel in Nunavut Nunavut’s Territorial Parks offer some of the most breathtaking scenery and magnificent wildlife imaginable, but there are risks when traveling in a remote area. You must be self-reliant and responsible for your own safety. The extreme environment can change quickly, challenge your survival skills and face you with an emergency. Also remember, when you travel in Nunavut you are in polar bear country. Polar bears are strong, fast and agile on ice, land, and in water. For more information on Safe and Sustainable Travel and Polar Bear Safety in Nunavut please visit our website at www.nunavutparks.com.

ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ Nunavut Parks Nunavummi Parcs et endroits ᐊᕕᑦᑐᖅᓯᒪᔪᑦ ᒥᕐᖑᐃᓯᕐᕕᖏᑦ & Special Places Unnagiurhiqviit spéciaux Nunavut ᐊᓯᖏᓪᓗ ᓄᓇᑦᑎᐊᕙᐅᔪᑦ Department of Environment & Inniiturliit Ministère de l’Environnement ᐊᕙᑎᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᑦ Government of Nunavut Havakviat Avatiligiyikkut Gouvernement du Nunavut Y 867.975.7700 ᓄᓇᕗᑦ ᒐᕙᒪᖓᑦ P.O. Box 1000, Station 1340 Nunavut Kavamatkut Case Postale 1000, Succursale 1340 • 867.975.7747 ᑎᑎᖅᑲᖃᐅᑖ 1000 Iqaluit, Nunavut X0A 0H0 Qiuqutaa 1000, Nayugaa 1340 Iqaluit, Nunavut X0A 0H0 [email protected] ᑎᑎᖅᑲᖃᕕᖓ 1340 Iqaluit, Nunavut X0A 0H0 nunavutparks.com ᐃᖃᓗᐃᑦ, ᓄᓇᕗᑦ X0A 0H0