Repulse Bay...Going for the Gold

'6' of the 8 communities of the Kivalliq Region

To the north east approximately 500 kilometers from Rankin Inlet is the last coastal community, we serve, on the west coast of Hudson Bay, specifically, Repulse Bay. Perched right on the Arctic Circle “RB” is another small hamlet but has a unique place amongst them all. Of all the communities in the Kivalliq region, it is the most northern.

The Inuktitut name for Repulse Bay is NAUJAAT and literally means "seagulls' nesting place") named after a cliff 5 kilometers to the north, where seagulls migrating from the south each June, make their nests. “Naujaat” was first visited by Europeans in the 1740s, and by the late 1800s it became a popular whaling grounds for American and Scottish whalers.

On 12 May 2014, a by-election was held to elect a new mayor which was won by Solomon Malliki. At the same time a non-binding plebiscite was held to gauge how the community felt about restoring the traditional name, Naujaat. With voter turnout at 36% there were 82 people in favour and 73 opposed to the name change. The hamlet council will decide on the change at a later date. If you are in the area, tune in to FM 93.3 for the latest local updates.

FM 93.3 on the "Air"

With an increasing population close to 1,000 persons, the Naujaat community continues to rely on traditional sealing, fishing, hunting, trapping, and carving for their livelihood, together with tourism. “Naujaat” is known for its Inuit artists, especially carvers (typically creating small realist animal sculptures of ivory, soapstone, marble and antler), as well as jewellery and crafts. The ivory, of course, Walrus tusk.

The Ukkusiksalik National Park is located just south of the community of Repulse Bay. The Park surrounds Wager Bay, a 100-km-long saltwater inlet on the northwest coast of Hudson Bay in Nunavut. Declared a national park on August 23, 2003, Ukkusiksalik became Canada's 41st national park. The Ukkusiksalik National Park covers 20,500 sq. km.


While Inuit do hunt in the region, the parkland is uninhabited. Inuit had lived in the area from 1000 AD through to the 1960s, and the Hudson's Bay Company had a trading post there from 1925-1947. Over 500 archaeological sites have been identified in the park, including such features as fox traps, tent rings, and food caches.

Arctic Cairn in Repulse Bay on the Arctic Circle

Skins of caribou and polar bear dry on the walls of modern houses, and meat and fish hang on drying

racks. Every June the area is occupied by thousands of seagulls, as well as snow birds, loons, eider ducks, longtail ducks, and jaegers.

Repulse Bay is the only North American community located on the Arctic Circle. The Arctic Circle is a line that delineates the points on the earth's surface north of which the sun is above the horizon for 24 hours on June 21, and entirely below the horizon for 24 hours on December 21.

The next two paragraphs are directly used as they describe the overwintering and whaling activities of the area “where Inuit would congregate to establish trade and seek employment. The first relates the voyages of the Hudson Bay Company's whaler the 'Perseverance' which wintered in Repulse Bay in both the 1892-3 and the 1896-7 seasons. During the latter season the 'Perseverance ' was joined by
the 'Platina' from New Bedford, Massachusetts and as Ross relates, the Bay was bustling:

"The winter community at the Ship Harbour Islands in Repulse Bay was large and multiracial. When the Platina gave a Christmas dinner and dance, 200 Inuit were present, from at least three distinct groups or subcultures. The crews of the two whalers numbered about thirty-five and included men of diverse nationalities and origins. Socially and economically Inuit and whalemen had developed a symbiotic relationship that transcended the boundaries or region or race." (Ross, 1973)

"The second account, the published journal of Captain George Comer, makes frequent reference to whaling activities in and around Repulse Bay. Although Comer did not winter in Repulse Bay, preferring instead Cape Fullerton and Depot Island, he did gather astute ethnographical information on the Aivillingmiut of the area. In his introduction to the journal W.G. Ross identifies Repulse Bay as an anchorage, in keeping with Depot Island and Cape Fullerton, which "attracted wintering vessels from time to time, and provided occasional protection in summer to ships cruising for whales" (Ross 1984). He also notes the presence of a small Scottish vessel, the 'Ernest William' which "spent several years in Repulse Bay and Lyon Inlet after 1903, functioning as a whaling station and trading post."

The Rankin Inlet "STARS"- Silver Medalists

UPDATE: Meanwhile back here in Rankin Inlet, on a sun drenched sunday, the first day of Central Daylight Saving time, I spent the afternoon at the community arena. The twentieth “Hockey for all Ages” Tournament wrapped up this afternoon, just in time for the teams to head to the airport for flights back to their respective communities. At the medals presentation, the first words the convenor made was to acknowledge Calm Air for making the tournament possible by reducing their rates for travel. The second thank you was to the hamlet of Rankin Inlet making the ice time available for the tournament.

The Gold Medals and "CUP" went to Repulse Bay

The team from Iqaluit was a no show....the weather on that side of Hudson Bay made the blizzard that kept the plane grounded. Repulse Bay ironically won the gold medals and took home the Cup...seventh in a row. Ironically, since the topic for this edition which I started this morning was Repulse Bay. By the way, did I mention that it was the Ladies turn this weekend. Ladies of all ages having fun, getting exercise, and representing their towns.

The final game against Rankin Stars finished 8-4 for Repulse Bay. Yes, they got the gold and Rankin Inlet got silver. The ladies were good and some were very good. Almost makes me wish that someone would tell me “you skate like a girl!”

The Rankin Stars "break away"