Introduction

History

Introduction
Located at 69° north on the shores of Stanners Harbour on the Arctic Ocean, Taloyoak is the most northern community of the Canadian mainland. Taloyoak has a population of approximately 850 friendly people, of which 98% are Inuit. The term “Taloyoak” means “large caribou blind” and is pronounced Talouruaq.

History
The traditional inhabitants of Taloyoak were the Nattilik Inuit who survived primarily on the many seals in the region, which provided the main source of food and clothing. The search for the Northwest Passage played a very important role in the European-influenced history of the area. The first notable contact between
Europeans and Inuit took place when John Ross and his crew came to the area after their boat became trapped in ice. Between 1848 and 1860 the area was visited by sealers who were looking for the lost Franklin expedition. The community began in 1948 when poor ice conditions forced the Hudson Bay Company to close its post at Fort Ross and move to present day Taloyoak (Formerly known as Spence Bay). Once the Hudson Bay Company arrived the RCMP and the Catholic and Anglican Missions soon followed. The community grew even more when the Federal Government forced the Inuit from outlying areas to settle in the community.

Cultural display at the entrance to Netsilik Ilihakvik

Weather

Wildlife

Weather
As the sun returns with the promise of more daylight hope peaks and warmer weather encourages long walks on the frozen Arctic Ocean. The spring ice breakup usually occurs in mid June. Summer days are very long with approximately 20 hours of sunlight. The temperature ranges from 5°C to 20°C. This is an enjoyable season for being on the land. But oops: watch out for the mosquitoes! Bring some bug repellent, and maybe even a bug jacket for out on the land.
Fall arrives quickly and snow begins to fall in late September or early October. Soon after the first snowfall, the temperature drops below zero. Often, the temperature on Halloween is well below –25°C.
In the winter, the days are very short with only about four hours of daylight. The temperature can drop to around –50°C and with wind chills can plummet to -70°C.

Wildlife
The wildlife in the area varies throughout the year. Ravens, seagulls, terns, snow buntings and ptarmigan are the most commonly seen birds about the community. Large flocks of ducks and geese can be seen flying over Taloyoak during migration seasons. Gyrfalcons and snowy owls are regularly spotted outside the community.
Siksik (Ground squirrels), arctic hares, and arctic foxes surround the community. Muskoxen can be found on the Boothia Peninsula and on the land to the south.
Occasionally wolves and wolverines are seen near the area. Hunters travel on the land to hunt for migrating caribou. Polar Bears are occasionally found in areas northeast of Taloyoak. They are not known to frequent the town.
In the waters around the communities are seals, whales, arctic char, white fish and cod. The lakes have an ample supply of trout and char. A fishing and/or hunting license may be obtained from the local wildlife officer.

Memorial Cairn at the Airport in Taloyoak

Transportation

Housing

Transportation
First Air offers regular flights from Taloyoak to Yellowknife five days a week. Flights along the way stop in Cambridge Bay, Kugaaruk and Gjoa Haven. Flying is extremely expensive. A return ticket to Edmonton on First Air costs anywhere from $2500. to $3000. dollars. Ken Borek also flies into Taloyoak five days a week. There are no flights on Tuesdays or Fridays.
Most people in town get around by snow mobile or ATV. If you are interested in exploring outside of the community you should seriously consider purchasingone or both of these vehicles.

Housing
Rents in Taloyoak range from $1000 to $1500. If one intends to rent he/she should inquire about furniture. All houses are equipped with water and sewage tanks. Occasionally one may run out of water at the house, but the trucks are generally quick at responding to calls.

Sunrise or Sunset?

School

Netsilik Ilihakvik

Food

Banks

Communications

Power

Medical

Police

Churches

Recreation

Food
Taloyoak has a Co-op and Northern store. There is very little in the way of fresh food. The stores occasionally bring in a supply of fruit and vegetables, but costs are high because of airfreight. Milk, bread, and produce are generally brought into Taloyoak on schedule passenger flights at least once a week. Nonperishables
including hardware and clothing arrive on a freight airplane once a week. The majority of non-perishable supplies are brought to Taloyoak by barge. Some people choose to do their own barge orders. Food mail orders can be obtained from Yellowknife through various companies. Cost of food is determined by the cost of airfreight.
Here are some items for general information:
Loaf of Bread = $2.85
2 litre of milk = $6.85
2 Litre Box Clothes Detergent = $21.98
1 can of pop = $2.50
White Sugar 2Kgs = $3.35
Flour 10 kgs = $25.55
Eggs (doz) = $3.89

Banks
There are no banks in Taloyaok, however, basic services are available through the Co-op and Northern stores. There is an automated teller machine for cash withdrawal at the Northern. One can open a savings account, do money exchanges and use debit cards in both places. The nearest banks are in Cambridge Bay and in Yellowknife.

Communications
Telephone services in Taloyoak are provided by Northwest Tel. Connections are reliable and it is possible to phone virtually anywhere with a minimum of difficulty. Affordable weekend and evening long distant plans are available.
CBC radio broadcasts on an FM station. It is interrupted at intervals during the day by local programming.
There is a cable television provider offering about 40 channels for $55 a month.This service can be obtained at the Co-op store.
Dial-up connections are available through Polarnet. There is also reliable Internet access at the school, Hamlet Office and Health Centre.
There is a small post office in the Co-op. Mail is delivered and sent out three times a week. The post office sells stamps and money orders. It also has calling cards for sale and has a limited supply of things such as express envelopes.

Power
The Nunavut Power Corporation supplies the town with electricity. Power service is subsidized and fees vary from fifty to one hundred dollars per month depending on your residence and usage.

Medical
The Health Centre offers twenty-four hour on-call emergency service and a nonemergency clinic open Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. Appointments are held in the afternoon. The health centre is staffed with fulltime nurse practitioners and a psychiatric nurse. There are periodic visits from specialist including pediatrician, general practitioner, ear nose and throat specialist,
physiotherapist, a speech language pathologist and occupational therapist and an audiologist. A dentist visits about four times a year. Emergencies are medivaced to Yellowknife.

Police
There is an RCMP detachment in Taloyoak served by two officers.

Churches
There are two churches in the town, The Good Shepherd Anglican Mission and a Catholic Church. Both hold Sunday morning services in Inuktituk and the Anglican Church has a Sunday evening service.

Recreation
The hamlet’s recreation coordinator organizes events within the community. Events such as feasts, Christmas games, evening sports, bingo, and dances occur. Fishing derbies are held in the spring and fall. The arena offers hockey for the youth and Young Rangers is an active group in the town.

Another view of Taloyoak

View of the land outside Taloyoak

The Community of Taloyoak

Church in Taloyoak

Additional Information