Gjoa Haven
Gjoa Haven (/ˌdʒoʊ ˈheɪvən/; Inuktitut: Uqsuqtuuq, syllabics: ᐅᖅᓱᖅᑑᖅ Inuktitut pronunciation: [uq.suq.tuːq], meaning "lots of fat", referring to the abundance of sea mammals in the nearby waters; French pronunciation: [ɡʒɔa avɑ̃] or [ɡʒɔa evən]) is an Inuit hamlet in Nunavut, above the Arctic Circle, located in the Kitikmeot Region, 1,056 km (656 mi) northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. It is the only settlement on King William Island.
Gjoa Haven
ᐅᖅᓱᖅᑑᖅ Uqsuqtuuq | |
|---|---|
 Main street of Gjoa Haven | |
  Gjoa Haven  Gjoa Haven | |
| Coordinates: 68°37′30″N 95°52′40″W[1] | |
| Country | Canada |
| Territory | Nunavut |
| Region | Kitikmeot |
| Electoral district | Gjoa Haven |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Megan Porter |
| • MLA | Tony Akoak |
| • MP | Lori Idlout |
| Area | |
| • Total | 28.55 km2 (11.02 sq mi) |
| • Population Centre | 0.70 km2 (0.27 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 47 m (154 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 1,349 |
| • Density | 47.3/km2 (123/sq mi) |
| • Population Centre | 1,110 |
| • Population Centre density | 1,586.2/km2 (4,108/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−07:00 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−06:00 (MDT) |
| Canadian Postal code | |
| Area code | 867 |
| Website | www |
Etymology
The name Gjoa Haven is from the Norwegian Gjøahavn or "Gjøa's Harbour"; it was named by early 20th-century polar explorer Roald Amundsen after his ship Gjøa. This was derived from the old Norse name Gyða, a compressed compound form of Guðfríðr (guð "god" and fríðr "beautiful"').
History
In 1903, the Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen had entered the area on his ship Gjøa in an expedition intending to travel through the Northwest Passage. By October the straits through which he was travelling began to ice up. Amundsen put Gjøa into a natural harbour on the southeast coast of King William Island. He stayed there, in what Amundsen called "the finest little harbor in the world", for nearly two years. He and his crew spent much of that time with the local Netsilik, learning from them the skills to live off the land and travel efficiently in the Arctic environment. This knowledge proved to be vital for Amundsen's later successful exploration to the South Pole. He explored the Boothia Peninsula, searching for the exact location of the north magnetic pole.
Some Inuit in Gjoa Haven with European ancestry have claimed to be descendants of Amundsen (or one of his six crew, whose names have not remained as well known). Accounts by members of the expedition told of their relations with Inuit women, and historians have speculated that Amundsen might also have taken a partner,[7] although he wrote a warning against this.[8] Specifically, half brothers Bob Konona and Paul Ikuallaq say that their father Luke Ikuallaq (b. 1904) told them on his deathbed that he was the son of Amundsen. Konona said that their father Ikuallaq was left out on the ice to die after his birth, as his European ancestry made him illegitimate to the Inuit, threatening their community. His Inuit grandparents saved him. In 2012, Y-DNA analysis, with the families' permission, showed that Ikuallaq (and his sons) was not a match to the direct male line of Amundsen.[8] Not all descendants claiming European ancestry have been tested for a match to Amundsen, nor has there been a comparison of Ikuallaq's DNA to that of other European members of Amundsen's crew.[8]
Permanent European-style settlement at Gjoa Haven started in 1927 when the Hudson's Bay Company opened a trading post.[9] In 1941 Henry Larsen reached the post from the west. The settlement has attracted the traditionally nomadic Inuit as they have adapted a more settled lifestyle.
In 1961, the town's population was 110. By 2001, the population was 960 according to the census, as most Inuit have moved from their traditional camps to be close to the healthcare and educational facilities available at Gjoa Haven.
Gjoa Haven has expanded to such an extent that a newer subdivision has been developed near the airport at 68°37′56″N 095°52′04″W.
The community is served by the Gjoa Haven Airport and by annual supply sealift. The area is home to CAM-CB, a North Warning System site.
Demographics
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | 420 | — |
| 1981 | 523 | +24.5% |
| 1986 | 650 | +24.3% |
| 1991 | 783 | +20.5% |
| 1996 | 879 | +12.3% |
| 2001 | 960 | +9.2% |
| 2006 | 1,064 | +10.8% |
| 2011 | 1,279 | +20.2% |
| 2016 | 1,324 | +3.5% |
| 2021 | 1,349 | +1.9% |
| Source: Statistics Canada [4][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] | ||
In the 2021 Canadian census conducted by Statistics Canada, Gjoa Haven had a population of 1,349 living in 292 of its 339 total private dwellings, a change of 1.9% from its 2016 population of 1,324. With a land area of 28.55 km2 (11.02 sq mi), it had a population density of 47.3/km2 (122.4/sq mi) in 2021. The median age of the community was 23.0 with 22.0 for men and 23.8 for women. The average age was 26.5 with 26.4 for men and 26.6 for women.[4]
In the 2021 Canadian census, Gjoa Haven's Population Centre recorded 1,110 people living in an area of 0.70 km2 (0.27 sq mi), giving a population density of 1,585.7/km2 (4,107.0/sq mi).[5]
Attractions
- Nattilik Heritage Centre - a museum and heritage centre, opened on 17 October 2013, with a collection of handmade harpoons, snow goggles and snow knives purchased by Amundsen and repatriated to Canada and to the community from where they first came, after years on display at the Museum of Cultural History, Oslo. There is local art available for purchasing.[18]
- Northwest Passage Territorial Park, shows the history of the exploration of the Northwest Passage as it relates to the area
Religion
Two churches are located in the hamlet:
- Immaculate Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church
- Old Gjoa Haven Church
Government services
Local
- Gjoa Haven RCMP Detachment
- Gjoa Haven Fire Department
- Gjoa Haven Hamlet Council
- Gjoa Haven Continuing Care - a 10-bed, 24/7 health care facility opened in 2010[19]
Territorial
- Gjoa Haven Nunavut Water Board
- Gjoa Haven Lands Administration Office
- Nunavut Social Services Department
- Nunavut Power Corporation
- Nunavut Economic Development Office
Climate
Gjoa Haven has a tundra climate (ET) with short but cool summers and long cold winters.
| Climate data for Gjoa Haven (Gjoa Haven Airport) Climate ID: 2302335; coordinates 68°38′08″N 95°51′01″W; elevation: 46.9 m (154 ft); 1981–2010 normals | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high humidex | −7.4 | −11.3 | −6.6 | 0.2 | 2.6 | 19.4 | 26.7 | 23.0 | 16.0 | 4.2 | −1.4 | −1.9 | 26.7 |
| Record high °C (°F) | −6.0 (21.2) |
−11.0 (12.2) |
−5.0 (23.0) |
1.0 (33.8) |
6.5 (43.7) |
20.8 (69.4) |
24.1 (75.4) |
22.5 (72.5) |
15.4 (59.7) |
4.5 (40.1) |
−0.8 (30.6) |
−8.3 (17.1) |
24.1 (75.4) |
| Average high °C (°F) | −30.4 (−22.7) |
−30.7 (−23.3) |
−25.1 (−13.2) |
−16.0 (3.2) |
−5.9 (21.4) |
4.2 (39.6) |
12.1 (53.8) |
8.9 (48.0) |
2.1 (35.8) |
−6.7 (19.9) |
−19.0 (−2.2) |
−26.6 (−15.9) |
−11.1 (12.0) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −33.8 (−28.8) |
−34.0 (−29.2) |
−28.9 (−20.0) |
−20.4 (−4.7) |
−9.4 (15.1) |
1.4 (34.5) |
8.0 (46.4) |
5.8 (42.4) |
0.1 (32.2) |
−9.5 (14.9) |
−22.4 (−8.3) |
−29.9 (−21.8) |
−14.4 (6.1) |
| Average low °C (°F) | −37.1 (−34.8) |
−37.0 (−34.6) |
−32.6 (−26.7) |
−24.8 (−12.6) |
−12.9 (8.8) |
−1.5 (29.3) |
3.8 (38.8) |
2.7 (36.9) |
−2.0 (28.4) |
−12.3 (9.9) |
−25.8 (−14.4) |
−33.1 (−27.6) |
−17.7 (0.1) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −48.3 (−54.9) |
−50.2 (−58.4) |
−46.3 (−51.3) |
−40.0 (−40.0) |
−28.2 (−18.8) |
−17.0 (1.4) |
−1.1 (30.0) |
−5.0 (23.0) |
−14.3 (6.3) |
−32.0 (−25.6) |
−39.4 (−38.9) |
−44.0 (−47.2) |
−50.2 (−58.4) |
| Record low wind chill | −64.2 | −65.3 | −64.5 | −54.0 | −38.1 | −21.9 | 0.0 | −12.9 | −21.2 | −48.1 | −55.0 | −62.5 | −65.3 |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 8.3 (0.33) |
7.8 (0.31) |
12.9 (0.51) |
13.5 (0.53) |
15.0 (0.59) |
14.7 (0.58) |
21.2 (0.83) |
28.4 (1.12) |
24.2 (0.95) |
25.0 (0.98) |
11.4 (0.45) |
8.8 (0.35) |
191.0 (7.52) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
1.8 (0.07) |
11.2 (0.44) |
20.8 (0.82) |
27.9 (1.10) |
15.9 (0.63) |
0.9 (0.04) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
78.4 (3.09) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 9.7 (3.8) |
8.8 (3.5) |
15.8 (6.2) |
15.4 (6.1) |
15.2 (6.0) |
3.9 (1.5) |
0.4 (0.2) |
0.5 (0.2) |
8.8 (3.5) |
28.2 (11.1) |
13.4 (5.3) |
10.4 (4.1) |
130.4 (51.3) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 8.2 | 6.4 | 9.0 | 8.8 | 9.6 | 6.8 | 7.8 | 11.0 | 12.0 | 14.1 | 10.1 | 8.2 | 112.0 |
| Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 5.3 | 7.8 | 10.6 | 7.4 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 32.5 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 8.2 | 6.4 | 9.0 | 8.8 | 9.3 | 1.9 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 5.8 | 14.1 | 10.4 | 8.2 | 82.7 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 62.6 | 63.9 | 70.3 | 77.7 | 85.9 | 81.9 | 70.7 | 75.8 | 82.3 | 87.7 | 76.7 | 66.7 | 75.2 |
| Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010[20] | |||||||||||||
Economy
Most employment in Gjoa Haven is with government services; there are a few commercial employers:
- CAP Enterprises Limited – construction and heavy equipment
- Northern Store – retail store
- The Inns North Amundsen Hotel – 16 rooms in a two-storey structure built in 1995
- Qikiqtaq Co-op Limited – retail store
- Gjoa Haven Community Airport Radio Station – operating from Gjoa Haven Airport
Wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror National Historic Site
The discovery of HMS Terror and HMS Erebus shipwrecks from the Franklin's lost expedition is expected to bring increased tourism to Gjoa Haven, the nearest community to the Wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror National Historic Site.[21][22] Public access to the site is not allowed. To protect the site, Inuit from Gjoa Haven are employed as guardians, camping near the wreck sites to monitor access to the sites.[23][24] The Nattilik Heritage Centre will be expanded to create a visitor centre for the historic site.[25][26]
Education
Gjoa Haven has three schools:
- Quqshuun Ilihakvik Elementary School
- Qiqirtaq Ilihakvik High School
- Nunavut Arctic College
Broadband communications
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 Canada. In 2017, the network was upgraded to 4G LTE technology, and 2G-GSM for mobile voice.
Culture
Square dancing is very popular in Gjoa Haven with many teams competing in annual showdowns (square dance tournaments).[27][28] Inuit learned square dancing from the Scottish and American whalers active in the area in the mid-1800s. It is generally accompanied by accordion (or concertina) and fiddles and has its roots in round dances from Great Britain rather than Western American square dance. A single dance can take from 40 minutes to over an hour.[29]
Notable people
- Leona Aglukkaq, politician, first Inuk to be appointed to the Cabinet of Canada.
- Tony Akoak, territorial politician
- Michael Angottitauruq, territorial politician
- Uriash Puqiqnak, soapstone carver and territorial politician
- Simon Tookoome, author
See also
References
- "Gjoa Haven". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada.
- "Municipal Election Results 2019-2020" (PDF). Elections Nunavut. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
- "2021 General Election" (PDF). Elections Nunavut. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
- "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population Profile table Gjoa Haven, Hamlet (HAM) Nunavut [Census subdivision]". Statistics Canada. 26 April 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
- "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population Profile table Gjoa Haven Nunavut [Population centre]". Statistics Canada. 26 April 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
- Elevation at airport. Canada Flight Supplement. Effective 0901Z 16 July 2020 to 0901Z 10 September 2020.
- "Vi er Amundsens etterkommere" Archived 4 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine, Aften Posten
- "Roald Amundsen Descendants in Gjoa Haven?" Archived 16 April 2013 at the Wayback Machine, Fram Museum, 27 January 2012
- "Gjoa Haven". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
- "1981 Census of Canada: Census subdivisions in decreasing population order" (PDF). Statistics Canada. May 1992. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
- "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.
- "Nattilik heritage centre opens its doors, Nunatsiaq Online
- "Nunavut provides more care closer to home", Nunatsiaq Online
- "Gjoa Haven A". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Climate ID: 2302335. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
- "As Franklin's lure brings people North, Gjoa Haven seeks its share of tourism dollars". The Canadian Press. 17 September 2017.
- Watson, Paul (23 March 2015). "Franklin wreck could help float fortunes of Arctic community". Toronto Star.
- Parks Canada Agency, Government of Canada (6 June 2019). "Wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror National Historic Site". www.pc.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 4 September 2019. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
- "Inuit guardians program". Wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror National Historic Site. Parks Canada. 27 May 2019. Archived from the original on 8 October 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
- DeGeorge, Krestia (18 October 2018). "Inuit, Parks Canada close to deal on Franklin wrecks national historic site". Arctic Today. Archived from the original on 13 October 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
- George, Jane (18 October 2018). "Inuit, Parks Canada close to deal on Franklin wrecks national historic site". Arctic Today. Archived from the original on 13 October 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
- Neary, Derek (3 March 2018). "Square dance showdowns compete for participants". News/North. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
- Neary, Derek (23 October 2018). "Preparing for the 10th square dance showdown". News/North. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
- "Modern Inuit Music". Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre. Archived from the original on 8 October 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
Further reading
- Huntford, R. (2003). Scott and Amundsen: The last place on earth. London: Abacus., ISBN 0-349-11395-5
External links
- Official website of the Hamlet of Gjoa Haven
- Aerial photos of Gjoa Haven
- Gjoa Haven, Government of Nunavut
- About Gjoa Haven, Inuit Art/Eskimo Art