When was iqaluit established

The other two most commonly cited ethnic origins are Scottish Visible minorities account for 7. The local economy is still largely government based, but a private sector is developing in areas such as construction, retail, tourism, and arts and crafts. Wages are relatively high compared with southern Canada, but equally so is the cost of living.

However, employment levels among Inuit are still disproportionately low, a factor that government and Inuit organizations are working to reduce by offering training courses, preferential hiring and contract work. As the administrative, transportation and communications centre for Nunavut, Iqaluit provides air links with southern Canada, Yellowknife and all Nunavut communities. It has a modern airport with daily flights to and from the South.

In summer, despite its high tides, the city also becomes a port, handling the annual sealift of heavy supplies. Rapid growth of the city has seen the advent of more vehicles and the start of southern-style trappings such as street names and public transit. The city is also home to CBC North radio and television, delivered in English and Inuktitut, as well as local radio stations and weekly newspapers.

Its municipal administration consists of a mayor and eight councillors elected citywide for a four-year term. It provides the usual community services and faces the same municipal issues that confront most other Canadian local administrations. What makes it different is that it serves a diverse mix of citizens who have moved there from others parts of Nunavut and Canada, while trying to preserve a balance between Inuit traditions and more recent changes brought from the South.

By northern standards, the city is a hub of political activity. As the capital, it houses the territorial legislative assembly, all government departments and is the home for many Inuit birthright organizations. For these reasons, it is the linchpin of the three Nunavut regions of Qikiqtaaluk Baffin , Kivalliq and Kitikmeot.

The small satellite community of Apex is five kilometres east of Iqaluit. Nestled around an old-style Hudson's Bay Company store, it came into being in the s as a model village for the Inuit, built by the Canadian government. Much of the flavour of Iqaluit lies in its cross-cultural contrasts: Inuktitut, English and French are heard in daily use; men in caribou parkas go hunting while jet planes fly overhead; and sealskins are scraped and cleaned in homes that house a television and perhaps a computer.

Carvers can often be seen working outside their homes, and native arts and crafts can be bought in most stores and hotels. Displays of Inuit drama, music, dance, song and fashion juxtapose comfortably with more southern events such as sports competitions. Toonik Tyme, the end-of-winter festival held in April, captures both traditional and modern aspects of the North, from igloo building to snowmobile racing.

Because so many Iqaluit residents originate from somewhere else, the community is known for its laid-back, culturally varied and tolerant, welcoming personality. However, it is still the strength of the land that dominates life in Iqaluit and the Arctic. Although a host of indoor programs, often sport oriented, are offered during the winter, many recreational pastimes — snowmobiling, camping, hunting, boating and hiking — are linked to the great outdoors.

Three nearby territorial parks Qaummaarviit, Katannilik and Sylvia Grinnell are accessible through local outfitters via boat, snowmobile or dog team, and people from all backgrounds enjoy the easy access to nature and northern flora and fauna.

The admiration for Nakasuk was evident from all the servicemen. Nakasuk would remain at the site to assist the Americans in establishing their base and would settle there permanently. This would make him the first permanent resident and recognized as the founder of the city. Soon the threat came from Russia and the possibility of an invasion through the Arctic was even more likely.

The U. These bases required more servicemen to operate them, but also local labourers and other jobs that brought Inuit to settle here, which would require more services for their families. Soon doctors were coming to the community and other public services from the Canadian government.

The community of Iqaluit would remain. In , the first local elections would take place for a community council, and then their first mayor in When a territory-wide referendum was held to select the capital of the soon-to-be territory of Nunavut, Iqaluit would be chosen over Rankin Inlet.

Iqaluit remains a remarkable community and a top polar destination. The amazing people and colourfully painted homes make it a great place to live and visit. And the runway still stands, with an airport that welcomes flights daily from the international airport in Ottawa. The value of the Iqaluit airport continues to play a part in the growth of the city.

Iqaluit shot to prominence in as the capital for a bold endeavour in Inuit self-government. But their fight to carve out a modern city that still pays tribute to ancient traditions had just begun.

As he haggled inside, gunshots rang out. He ran outside to find his dogs dead. The RCMP claims some dogs were lawfully destroyed over concerns about public health and safety; many Inuit say it was to urbanise them.

And yet minutes later, we come to a very different example of how Inuit coexist with southerners. Last year, Muslim leaders presented Inuit elders with a freshly slaughtered lamb. But they were quick to stress the difference between the lamb and Inuit staples, such as seal meat, caribou and arctic char. How do you belong? Iqaluit shot to national prominence in after it was chosen by referendum to become the capital of Nunavut.

The territory, finally formed in , gave Inuit in the region self-rule and control over their institutions. It made Iqaluit the political, cultural and economic hub of a bold Canadian endeavour in indigenous self-government. We could have Nunavut be as culturally distinct as Quebec is to the rest of English Canada, but from an Inuit perspective. While Inuktitut is spoken by three-quarters of Inuit, English has become the de facto language of Iqaluit.

Overshadowing all this is the immense task of running a city at the whims of the Arctic. During winter, temperatures in Iqaluit regularly drop below C with windchill, while darkness reigns for months.

To make matters more difficult, Iqaluit is the only capital city in Canada with no road or reliable ship connections to other parts of the country. For much of the year, all supplies must be flown in, sending the cost of living skyrocketing.

Three or four times a year, depending on ice conditions in Frobisher Bay, a sealift boats in bulk supplies.