Hamlet in Nunavut, Canada
| Arviat ᐊᕐᕕᐊᑦ (Inuktitut) | |
|---|---|
| Hamlet | |
 Two of the churches in Arviat | |
 Flag | |
  ArviatShow map of Nunavut ArviatShow map of Canada | |
| Coordinates: 61°06′30″N 094°03′30″W / 61.10833°N 94.05833°W / 61.10833; -94.05833 | |
| Country | Canada |
| Territory | Nunavut |
| Region | Kivalliq |
| Electoral district | Arviat North-Whale Cove Arviat South |
| Government | |
| • Type | Hamlet |
| • Mayor | Joe Savikataaq Jr. |
| • Senior Administrative Officer | Steve England |
| • MLA for Arviat North-Whale Cove | John Main |
| • MLA for Arviat South | Joe Savikataaq |
| Area | |
| • Total | 126.14 km (48.70 sq mi) |
| • Population Centre | 2.42 km (0.93 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 10 m (30 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 2,657 |
| • Density | 22.7/km (59/sq mi) |
| • Population Centre | 2,766 |
| • Population Centre density | 1,143.6/km (2,962/sq mi) |
| Demonyms | Arviaqmiut, Arviatmiut |
| Time zone | UTC−06:00 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−05:00 (CDT) |
| Postal code | X0C 0E0 |
| Area code | 867 |
| Website | www.arviat.ca |
Arviat (Inuktitut pronunciation: [aʁviˈat], syllabics: ᐊᕐᕕᐊᑦ; formerly called Eskimo Point until 1 June 1989) is a predominantly Inuit hamlet located on the western shore of Hudson Bay in the Kivalliq Region of Nunavut, Canada. Arviat ("place of the bowhead whale") is derived from the Inuktitut word arviq meaning "Bowhead whale". Earlier in history, its name was Tikirajualaaq ("a little long point"), and Ittaliurvik ("a place where the people make tents").
Demographics
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | 848 | — |
| 1981 | 1,022 | +20.5% |
| 1986 | 1,189 | +16.3% |
| 1991 | 1,323 | +11.3% |
| 1996 | 1,559 | +17.8% |
| 2001 | 1,899 | +21.8% |
| 2006 | 2,060 | +8.5% |
| 2011 | 2,318 | +12.5% |
| 2016 | 2,657 | +14.6% |
| 2021 | 2,864 | +7.8% |
| Source: Statistics Canada | ||
In the 2021 Canadian census conducted by Statistics Canada, Arviat had a population of 2,864 living in 632 of its 694 total private dwellings, a change of 7.8% from its 2016 population of 2,657. With a land area of 126.14 km (48.70 sq mi), it had a population density of 22.7/km (58.8/sq mi) in 2021.
| Panethnic group | 2021 | 2016 | 2011 | 2006 | 2001 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | |
| Indigenous | 2,730 | 95.62% | 2,525 | 95.28% | 2,190 | 94.6% | 1,915 | 93.19% | 1,790 | 94.46% |
| European | 95 | 3.33% | 105 | 3.96% | 115 | 4.97% | 120 | 5.84% | 100 | 5.28% |
| South Asian | 20 | 0.7% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 10 | 0.49% | 0 | 0% |
| African | 10 | 0.35% | 20 | 0.75% | 0 | 0% | 20 | 0.97% | 10 | 0.53% |
| Southeast Asian | 0 | 0% | 10 | 0.38% | 0 | 0% | 10 | 0.49% | 0 | 0% |
| East Asian | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 10 | 0.49% | 0 | 0% |
| Latin American | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 10 | 0.49% | 0 | 0% |
| Middle Eastern | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
| Other/multiracial | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 10 | 0.43% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
| Total responses | 2,855 | 99.69% | 2,650 | 99.74% | 2,315 | 99.87% | 2,055 | 99.76% | 1,895 | 99.79% |
| Total population | 2,864 | 100% | 2,657 | 100% | 2,318 | 100% | 2,060 | 100% | 1,899 | 100% |
| Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses | ||||||||||
Community
Arviat is the southernmost community on the Nunavut mainland and is close to the geographical centre of Canada. In Arviat, Inuktitut and English are primarily spoken, having the third largest population in Nunavut, behind Rankin Inlet and Iqaluit. From the 2011 Canadian census to the 2016 Canadian census there was a population increase of 14.6%. The mayor of Arviat is Joe Savikataaq (Jr.).
The community became a hamlet under the name Eskimo Point (name first appeared on maps in 1738) in 1977.
Cargo and passenger air service is provided by Calm Air, Canadian North and Nolinor Aviation (charter only) out of Arviat Airport. Destinations include other settlements in Nunavut and Manitoba, including Winnipeg.
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Hunting and fishing are very active in the community; they are the primary source of sustenance. Four locally operated stores - Padlei Co-op, Northern Stores, Arctic Connection and Eskimo Point Lumber Supply - carry a wide range of products.
To the south, the town of Churchill, Manitoba is accessible by boat during the summer and fall. Churchill is accessible by snowmobile and Bombardier from Arviat. Churchill is often travelled to for supplies.
Arviat is well known around the Arctic for its artistic qualities. It is a thriving community with many talented musicians: Susan Aglukark, a well known musician; Simon "Johnny Cash of the North" Sigyariaq; the band Uniaqtuq, with Arsene, Pelagie and Mary Angalik; the Arviat Band, with John and Billy Kuksuk, Paul Kattau and others; the Irksuk band, played by Paul Irksuk and sons. All have had CDs recorded commercially.
Many types of wildlife are abundant. Within the vicinity of Arviat, polar bears, millions of migratory birds, beluga whales, and caribou are often spotted.
The only access is by air and snowmobile, but the Nunavut government and the federal Senate member for Nunavut, Dennis Patterson, are investigating the possibility of a highway from Thompson, Manitoba, Lynn Lake, or Gillam, Manitoba, or an extension of the Hudson Bay Railway from Churchill, Manitoba to Rankin Inlet via Arviat. Similar to other Arctic coast communities there is an annual sealift but it is not available to passengers.
Arviat was originally inhabited by the Paallirmiut, a coastal/inland Inuit band. In 1957, dying of starvation, the last remaining Ihalmiut, another Caribou Inuit band, were relocated to Arviat by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Though there are differences between the two bands, they recognize a need to work together in order to benefit the community.
In 1993, Mark Kalluak published a historical essay on soapstone carving in Arviat, entitled Pelts to Stone. A History of Arts and Crafts Production in Arviat.
Arviat was featured in Dancing Towards the Light, a 2017 CBC News short film and article telling the story of the hamlet's annual dance competition.
The community is home to Arviaqpaluk Radio, a community radio station which operates under an exemption from CRTC licensing for low-power broadcasters.
Politics
The community is represented in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut by John Main in the electoral district of Arviat North-Whale Cove, and Joe Savikataaq in Arviat South. Savikataaq was Premier of Nunavut from 2018 to 2021.
Savikataaq's son, Joe Savikataaq Jr., became mayor of the community in March 2020, following the death in office of Bob Leonard.
Recreation
The Hudson Bay Quest sled-dog race was run from Churchill to Arviat for the first time in 2004.
Internet
The community has been served by the Qiniq network since 2005. Qiniq is a fixed wireless service to homes and businesses, connecting to the outside world via a satellite backbone. The Qiniq network is designed and operated by SSI Micro. In 2017, the network was upgraded to 4G LTE technology, and 2G-GSM for mobile voice.
Climate
According to the Köppen climate classification, Arviat has a subarctic climate (Köppen Dfc). However, using Nordenskjöld's alternate formula for distinguishing Arctic from subarctic climates, it has a polar climate (Köppen ET); as expected from this, it is north of the Arctic tree line. Spring is slow to warm up, with June being cooler than September and May cooler than October. With a yearly mean of −9.3 °C (15.3 °F) it is the third-warmest in Nunavut and the maximum of 33.9 °C (93.0 °F) recorded on 22 July 1973 is second only to that of Kugluktuk. Arviat has a yearly rainfall of 174.4 mm (6.87 in), the fourth-wettest in Nunavut, but only 112.4 cm (44.3 in) of snow, the third-least. Temperatures above freezing have never been recorded between 18 November and 17 March, inclusive; conversely, accumulating snow has never been recorded in July or August.
| Climate data for Arviat (Arviat Airport) Climate ID: 2300MKF; coordinates 61°06′N 94°04′W / 61.100°N 94.067°W / 61.100; -94.067 (Arviat Airport); elevation: 10.4 m (34 ft); 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1973–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high humidex | −1.8 | −3.3 | 2.6 | 4.0 | 15.0 | 30.5 | 34.3 | 32.8 | 26.2 | 19.1 | 1.9 | −0.4 | 34.3 |
| Record high °C (°F) | −1.5 (29.3) |
−1.5 (29.3) |
3.5 (38.3) |
4.0 (39.2) |
21.2 (70.2) |
30.8 (87.4) |
33.9 (93.0) |
31.3 (88.3) |
23.0 (73.4) |
18.1 (64.6) |
2.1 (35.8) |
−0.1 (31.8) |
33.9 (93.0) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −24.4 (−11.9) |
−24.2 (−11.6) |
−18.1 (−0.6) |
−9.4 (15.1) |
−1.1 (30.0) |
8.3 (46.9) |
15.2 (59.4) |
14.1 (57.4) |
8.0 (46.4) |
−0.4 (31.3) |
−11.0 (12.2) |
−19.4 (−2.9) |
−5.2 (22.6) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −28.2 (−18.8) |
−28.1 (−18.6) |
−22.8 (−9.0) |
−14.2 (6.4) |
−4.3 (24.3) |
4.8 (40.6) |
11.2 (52.2) |
10.7 (51.3) |
5.2 (41.4) |
−2.9 (26.8) |
−15.0 (5.0) |
−23.2 (−9.8) |
−8.9 (16.0) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −31.9 (−25.4) |
−32.0 (−25.6) |
−27.4 (−17.3) |
−18.7 (−1.7) |
−7.3 (18.9) |
1.3 (34.3) |
7.1 (44.8) |
7.3 (45.1) |
2.4 (36.3) |
−5.5 (22.1) |
−19.0 (−2.2) |
−27.0 (−16.6) |
−12.6 (9.3) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −48.3 (−54.9) |
−47.0 (−52.6) |
−41.5 (−42.7) |
−36.7 (−34.1) |
−26.7 (−16.1) |
−11.0 (12.2) |
−4.0 (24.8) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
−8.3 (17.1) |
−26.0 (−14.8) |
−34.6 (−30.3) |
−42.5 (−44.5) |
−48.3 (−54.9) |
| Record low wind chill | −62.7 | −64.4 | −62.4 | −48.8 | −33.0 | −19.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | −14.0 | −37.2 | −50.8 | −59.3 | −64.4 |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 12.4 (0.49) |
10.9 (0.43) |
16.3 (0.64) |
19.4 (0.76) |
19.2 (0.76) |
30.0 (1.18) |
42.0 (1.65) |
60.1 (2.37) |
47.3 (1.86) |
27.4 (1.08) |
19.6 (0.77) |
13.4 (0.53) |
318.0 (12.52) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.00) |
0.5 (0.02) |
6.7 (0.26) |
25.7 (1.01) |
38.3 (1.51) |
61.3 (2.41) |
43.5 (1.71) |
9.2 (0.36) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
185.2 (7.29) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 7.4 (2.9) |
4.9 (1.9) |
9.2 (3.6) |
10.1 (4.0) |
11.7 (4.6) |
1.1 (0.4) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
3.4 (1.3) |
12.5 (4.9) |
12.1 (4.8) |
9.0 (3.5) |
81.4 (32.0) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 10.7 | 10.1 | 11.2 | 11.3 | 9.8 | 10.3 | 11.0 | 16.6 | 14.8 | 13.0 | 11.6 | 11.1 | 141.5 |
| Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.11 | 0.33 | 2.4 | 8.1 | 10.1 | 15.4 | 12.2 | 3.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 52.1 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 6.0 | 5.5 | 7.7 | 6.6 | 5.2 | 0.56 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.2 | 8.1 | 9.9 | 6.9 | 57.7 |
| Average relative humidity (%) (at 1500 LST) | 74.2 | 73.7 | 77.5 | 82.2 | 84.5 | 77.1 | 72.3 | 75.6 | 76.2 | 84.9 | 83.4 | 78.1 | 78.3 |
| Source: Environment Canada | |||||||||||||
See also
- List of municipalities in Nunavut
- Peter Kritaqliluk
- Arviat Airport
- Nancy Karetak-Lindell
- John Pangnark
- Andy Miki
- McConnell River Migratory Bird Sanctuary
- Arvia'juaq and Qikiqtaarjuk National Historic Site
Notes
- Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.
- Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" under visible minority section on census.
- Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" under visible minority section on census.
- Statistic includes total responses of "West Asian" and "Arab" under visible minority section on census.
- Statistic includes total responses of "Visible minority, n.i.e." and "Multiple visible minorities" under visible minority section on census.
References
- "Arviat". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada.
- "Municipal Election Results 2019-2020" (PDF). Elections Nunavut. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
- "2021 General Election" (PDF). Elections Nunavut. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
- ^ "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), Nunavut". Statistics Canada. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
- ^ "Population Centre". Statistics Canada. 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- Elevation at airport. Canada Flight Supplement. Effective 0901Z 16 July 2020 to 0901Z 10 September 2020.
- Demonyms—From coast to coast to coastArchived 21 July 2016 at the Wayback Machine
- Arctic College NewsArchived 6 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- "Arviat, Nunavut". nu.ca. Archived from the original on 14 August 2009. Retrieved 1 January 2008.
- "1981 Census of Canada: Census subdivisions in decreasing population order" (PDF). Statistics Canada. May 1992. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- "1986 Census: Population - Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions" (PDF). Statistics Canada. September 1987. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
- "91 Census: Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions - Population and Dwelling Counts" (PDF). Statistics Canada. April 1992. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
- "96 Census: A National Overview - Population and Dwelling Counts" (PDF). Statistics Canada. April 1997. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
- "Population and Dwelling Counts, for Canada, Provinces and Territories, and Census Subdivisions (Municipalities), 2001 and 1996 Censuses - 100% Data (Nunavut)". Statistics Canada. 15 August 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
- "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2006 and 2001 censuses - 100% data (Nunavut)". Statistics Canada. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
- "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2011 and 2006 censuses (Nunavut)". Statistics Canada. 25 July 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
- "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Nunavut)". Statistics Canada. 8 February 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
- Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (26 October 2022). "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (27 October 2021). "Census Profile, 2016 Census". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (27 November 2015). "NHS Profile". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (20 August 2019). "2006 Community Profiles". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2 July 2019). "2001 Community Profiles". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- "Census Profile, 2016 Census". Statistics Canada. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
- "Nunavummiut elect new municipal leaders". Nunatsiaq News. 10 December 2013. Archived from the original on 26 February 2018. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
- Kudelik, Gail (4 March 2015). "Arviat". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada.
- ^ "Calm Air schedule". Archived from the original on 30 September 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
- "Nunavut joint-venture airline signs 10-year deal with Agnico Eagle". Nunatsiaq News. 14 November 2017.
- "About Arviat". inuitarteskimoart.com. Archived from the original on 27 May 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2007.
- Mark Kalluak
- Pelts to Stone. A History of Arts and Crafts Production in Arviat
- "Dancing towards the light". CBC News. 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
- "How radio is lifting spirits in a Nunavut hamlet hit hard by COVID-19". The Current. CBC Radio. 10 March 2021.
- "New Arviat mayor reflects on the value of community services during a pandemic". CBC North. 5 September 2020.
- Nordenskjöld, Otto; Mecking, Ludwig; Antevs, Ernst; Hale, Marion (1928). "Chapter VI: The Delimitation of the Polar Regions, and the Natural Provinces of the Arctic and Antarctic". In Joerg, W. L. G. (ed.). The Geography of the Polar Regions, Consisting of A General Characterization of Polar Nature. Special Publication. Vol. 8. New York City: American Geographical Society. pp. 72–3. Bib_id 28009518. Retrieved 31 January 2023 – via Internet Archive.
- "Extremes for Arviat". Canada Weather Stats. (Data from) Environment and Climate Change Canada. 4 November 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
- ^ "Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010". Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
- "Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020". Environment and Climate Change Canada. Archived from the original on 10 July 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
Further reading
- Dawson, Peter C. (2004). An Examination of the Use of Domestic Space by Inuit Families Living in Arviat, Nunavut (PDF) (Report). Ottawa: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
- Dana, Léo-Paul; Anderson, Robert Brent (2011). "The Evolution of Entrepreneurship in Arviat: The Southernmost Community of Mainland Nunavut". International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business. 14 (4): 508–532. doi:10.1504/IJESB.2011.043473. S2CID 145266139.
- Inuit Gallery of Vancouver. Arviat Artists of the Past, Present, and Future. Vancouver: Inuit Gallery of Vancouver, 1997. ISBN 0-9682123-1-X
- Kalluak, Mark. Pelts to Stone A History of Arts & Crafts Production in Arviat. : Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, 1993. ISBN 0-662-20847-1
- Maguire, Mary, and Lynn McAlpine. Attautsikut/Together Understanding Culture, Change and Success in Qitiqliq Secondary School and Arviat. Exemplary schools project technical report, 8. Toronto: Canadian Education Association, 1995. ISBN 0-920315-86-0
- Sharp, Jason M. Ground Truthing of Linear Magnetic Anomalies Near Arviat, Nunavut Territory. Yellowknife, NT: Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, NWT eology Division, 1999.
- Swinton, George. Arviat Eskimo Point. Vancouver: Marion Scott Gallery, 1989. ISBN 0-921634-06-4
- Tyrrell, M. 2006. "Making Sense of Contaminants: A Case Study of Arviat, Nunavut". Arctic. 59, no. 4: 370-380.