History of Arviat:

Situated along the west coast of the Hudson Bay, the area surrounding the present hamlet was used as hunting grounds for centuries. Thule sites dating back many centuries, attest to summer activities when Inuit hunters gathered to harvest whale, seal and walrus. Tent rings, qajaq support and old graves dot the coastline and Arvia’juaq Island (shaped like a bowhead whale) from which the community derives its name.

When in 1921, the Hudson Bay Company established a trading post at the point, Paallirmiut hunters started to spend more time in the area. Trading furs (mostly foxes and wolves) became advantageous and part of their subsistence economy. In 1924, the Roman Catholic Mission was built and two years later, the Anglican Church. During the 1940’s and 50’s, caribou migrations changed, and inland Inuit, the Ahiarmiut, faced starvation. The government relocated them to the emerging coastal community. Eskimo Point officially became a town in 1959 with the founding of a school. In the 1970’s, another wave of Inuit originating from Southampton Island and Repulse Bay, arrived. These three distinct groups of Inuit, with different traditions and dialects, had to learn to coexist harmoniously. They had to face together the new challenges of community living.

The Alliance Church, an offspring of the Bible School established at Maguse River was eventually moved to Eskimo Point. Later on, the Pentecostal Movement led by Kaye Gordon also established a local church.

Present reality:

Eskimo Point, now known by its Inuktitut name, Arviat (pronounced arq-vee-at) is a town of about 2200 people. It is located on the west shore of Hudson Bay, about 300km (180 miles) due north of Churchill, Manitoba. It is the southernmost town in Nunavut, Canada’s new territory.

The fastest growing community, with as many as 80 children born yearly, enjoys the advantages of both a local elementary and secondary school. A new middle school building presently under construction will soon provide more space and opportunities for the growing youth population.

The latest influx of people came after the creation of Nunavut with the decentralization. Arviat was selected as the headquarters for Education and Housing Departments and more recently the Nunavut Arctic College.

The community also boasts of new Co-op and Northern stores, a hotel, two bed and breakfast accommodations, two coffee shops, a community hall, an arena, a pool (used only in summer), a post office, a lumber supply, a health centre, an elders' residence, a RCMP detatchment, a Sustainable Resources office, a sewing centre and of course the Mikilaaq Centre. Many other local organizations and boards help the Hamlet to manage the different aspects of northern life. Among them we find: Hunters and Trappers, Firefighters, by-law officers, housing association, community radio, recreation, and the Elders society.

Arviat continues to be known for its traditional art, displays of carvings and wall hangings, as well as drum dancers and throat singers. Newer artistic expressions have also emerged with younger carvers, a few others who used canvas for medium or again with the world renowned Susan Aglugark.

Besides all the wonderful and friendly people of Arviat, there is no doubt that there is a lot to see and encounter in our community. Don't forget your camera!