Introduction

History

Introduction
Baker Lake (or Qamani’tuaq), 64.3 N 96.08 W, near the geographical centre of Canada, has a population of approximately 1500 of which 90% are Inuit. The Inuit of Baker Lake speak Inuktitut as their first language, and many are bilingual.

History
When Captain William Christopher of the Hudson's Bay Co. sailed through Chesterfield Inlet in 1761 and gave Qamani'tuaq its English name, Baker Lake, the area had already been known to Inuit for centuries. In the channels of Chesterfield Inlet, today's visitor can see an abundance of inuksuit, tent rings and other archeological evidence of Inuit occupation.

The community of Baker Lake is very young. Until the mid-1950s, most Inuit still lived on the land in areas surrounding Baker Lake. The Utkuhiksalingmiut came from the Back River; the Hanningajurmiut from the Garry Lake area; the Akilinirmiut from the Thelon River area around Beverly Lake; the Qairnirmiut from the lower Thelon River, Baker Lake and Chesterfield Inlet; and the Harvaqtuurmiut from the Kazan River area. These groups share a history of life lived almost exclusively inland. They all relied on the resources of the barren lands, mainly caribou and fish.

With the exception of the Back River, the area surrounding Baker Lake has only recently become known to European Canadians. In 1834, George Back descended the river that today bears his name. It was not until 1893 that the Thelon River was descended by Joseph and James Tyrrell of the Geological Survey of Canada, via the Dubawnt River. In 1899, British explorer David Hanbury traveled by dog team up the coast of Hudson Bay and through Chesterfield Inlet. From Chesterfield Inlet, Hanbury traveled by boat through Baker Lake and up the Thelon River, gaining access to Great Slave Lake via the Hanbury River and Artillery Lake. Hanbury returned again between 1901 and 1902, spending much time in the area between Chesterfield Inlet and Beverly Lake on the Thelon River, where he befriended many Inuit.

European Canadians didn't establish a permanent presence at Baker Lake until the Hudson's Bay Company post was built at Uqpiktujuq, or Big Hips Island, in 1916. Competition arrived in the form of the Revillion Frères in 1924, who set up a trading post at the mouth of the Thelon River. In 1926, the Hudson's Bay Company also moved to the mouth of the Thelon near the present location of Baker Lake. Two men from Chesterfield Inlet, Naittuq and Singiittuq, played an important role in piloting supply ships through the narrows of Chesterfield Inlet and into Baker Lake using their knowledge of the depth changes in the inlet. After years of competition, the Hudson's Bay Company bought out the Revillion Frères in 1936 and moved the operation into their building. The original building is now the Vera Akumalik Visitors Centre. In the fall of 1927, both the Anglican and Roman Catholic missions arrived. The original Anglican mission, St. Aiden's, was built in 1930 and still stands today. Government services arrived during the 1950’s and 60’s. The nursing station (or health centre) was built in 1956 and the Federal School in 1957. Children were brought into town to go to school. This, in combination with some hard years of starvation (due to a change in caribou migration patterns) brought Inuit into the settlement to stay. In 1962, houses were built for Inuit by the Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources. Although some Inuit families were still on the land in the '60s, it was only a matter of time before everyone lived in town.

Sunset in Baker Lake

Baker Lake from the air

View of the Shore - Baker Lake

Weather

Wildlife

Weather
Although the thermometer may indicate that it is not too cold, the winds here are freezing! Baker Lake experiences extreme wind chill factors in the winter, regularly between –50 and -60oC. The community also experiences numerous blizzards throughout the fall, winter, and spring. During winter, the daylight hours are very short.
The weather will start to warm up around the end of April. The temperatures around this time will be between –15 and –20oC. The weather in the summer can be quite enjoyable, with temperatures averaging around 15oC. In the summer, until September, a bug jacket is a must; there are many black flies and mosquitoes. Rubber boots are worn in the spring, summer and fall. Ideally, purchase a pair that is insulated.

Wildlife
The Fall Caribou Crossing National Historic Site commemorates the historic fall caribou hunt. From their qajait (kayaks), hunters lanced migrating caribou as they swam across the river. The success of this hunt determined the survival of Inuit over the long winter.
To the north of Baker Lake, the splendor of Wager Bay boasts populations of polar bears, seals, beluga whales, wolves, caribou and other wildlife.

There ARE polar bears!

Transportation

Housing

Transportation
Travel in and out of Baker Lake is possible through Calm Air and Kivalliq Air. A return ticket from Baker Lake to Winnipeg by Calm-Air is approximately $1500. In addition to scheduled flights on Calm Air. Flights are daily except Saturdays. The flight from Winnipeg is approximately 8 hours, including stops in most of the coastal communities. Pack a meal for this long flight.
As well, baggage handling can be challenging. Calm Air has different baggage allowances than Air Canada: on Calm Air, you are allowed to have two pieces of luggage, which cannot exceed a combined total of 80 lbs. If your bags weigh more than 80 lbs, you will be charged $26.75. As well, when you check in at the Calm Air counter in Winnipeg, they will ask you to prioritize a bag that you want to definitely be put on the plane. Be sure to pack your bags so that important articles are in one bag, and all less-important articles are in another. Pack essential items and medicines in your carry-on bag. If you are traveling with perishable goods, be sure that you use a good cooler.
Transportation in and around the community is done mainly by snowmobile in
winter and ATV in spring, summer and fall. Owning these vehicles would be an incredible asset if you intend to travel on the land to camp, hunt, fish, etc.
There are two taxi services around town :Inland Taxi (793-4777), and Nakilaaq Taxi (793-2110). The cost of a trip anywhere around town is $5.00 one way (per person).
Service to/from the airport, 2 km from town, is $10.00 (per person).

Housing
Government housing is available. One of their buildings is a 12 unit apartment complex in very close proximity to the schools. Piruqsaijit Ltd., a private company based in Rankin Inlet, can also provided housing. Contact Tracey Jackson at (867) 645-2185. Occasionally, private dwellings are available for rent. Ask your principal or other Baker Lake contact if they are aware of any possibilities. Municipal water and sewage services and garbage pick-up is an expense you’ll acquire if you own or rent a private dwelling. Water delivery and sewage pump out is done by truck. All dwellings contain a water reservoir tank and a sewage tank, which are serviced several times weekly. The cost for water/sewage service, which is heavily subsidized, is 0.0380 cents per litre, depending on the size of your household, any where from $30.00 to $80.00 per month. Garbage removal is not subsidized and costs $30.00 per month.

Calm Air

Community view of Baker Lake

School

School
The mission of the schools in Baker Lake is to prepare the students for life-long learning, and to provide a safe and caring environment that recognizes and respects the students’ cultural heritage thereby helping them to develop a strong self-concept. The partnership of the school, the family, District Education Authority, and the community is essential to the intellectual, physical, social, spiritual and emotional development of our students in becoming healthy and responsible citizens.
The schools are community schools. The staff strive to provide a warm, safe and friendly learning atmosphere for our students. The staff keep parents informed of school events and activities on a regular basis. Jonah Amitnaaq and Rachel Arngnammaktik Schools are committed to providing quality educational programs and high levels of expectations among students. In order to do this effectively, parental support and cooperation is expected.
Jonah Amitnanaq School has a population of approximately 340 students from
grades 6 to 12. The school has 25 staff members, which include one principal, two vice-principals, two grade 6, 7 and 8 homerooms, one grade 9 homeroom teacher, three grade 10 homerooms, and a grade 11 and a grade 12 homeroom. There is a full time physical education teacher and student support teacher as well as a Kigavik House (detention centre) coordinator, cultural inclusion coordinator, student support assistant, Inuktitut instructor, head custodian, two part-time custodians and a clerk typist/secretary.

Rachel Arngnammaktik Elementary School, with a student population of
approximately 340 as well, from grades kindergarten to 5, has 27 staff members.

To contact the schools call:
Jonah Amitnaaq Secondary School
Rachel Arngnammaktiq Elementary School
Tel.: (867) 793-4657 Tel.: (867) 793-2513

Jonah Amitnaaq School

Food

Banking

Telephone

Radio and
Television

Post Office

Power

Medical

Recreation

Food
Food shopping can be done at the Northern store and at the Sanavik Co-op. Both stores sell groceries, supplies, clothing, and hardware. The Northern has a fast food restaurant in the front called the Quick Stop. It also has a professional butcher on staff. The Northern store also runs a convenience/corner store on the opposite side of town known as Indian Village across from the gas station. It is open in the evenings and on weekends and carries most necessities. Food costs are high.

Here is a list of prices of some common grocery items:
- 2L 2% milk $7.25
- 1 dozen medium eggs $3.65
- 1lb Becel margarine $4.99
- 1 kg Macintosh apples $7.43
- 1lb Kraft cheddar cheese $ 8.45
- iceberg lettuce $4.26
- 1 can McCain frozen orange juice $3.65
- 5kg bag potatoes $9.44
- 2lb bag carrots $4.49
- 350 g box Rice Krispies cereal $6.25
- 2L pop $11.99
- 5 kg Tide laundry detergent $41.99
- 12 roll pkg toilet paper $6.09
- 350ml bottle shampoo $6.39

Hours:
Northern Store: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday to Thursday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday; 1-6 p.m., Saturday. In winter, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday.
Tel.: (867) 793-2920. Fax: (867) 793-2565
Northern Convenience Store: 4-11:00pm Mon. to Sat.1-11:00 p m Sun. Tel.: (867) 793-2660

Food and construction materials can be purchased and delivered from Montreal by sealift twice a year in July and August. Food costs can be reduced by as much as one third by making a “barge order”. Nunavut Sealink and Supply Inc. services the Nunavut regions. Their head office is in Iqaluit @ tel. (867) 979-3799. Their operations management office is in Montreal @ tel. (450) 635-5126. Please be advised, do not wait until you arrive in Baker Lake to submit a barge order. The first barge will arrive in Baker Lake in July. The second barge will arrive in August . Depending on when you arrive to the community, the second barge would probably be the most convenient, since you will be here to receive your order.

Food products and grocery orders can be purchased from the following suppliers.
Contact the store to order a catalogue well in advance.
Marche D’Aoust Marche Turennes
Valleyfield, QC Laval, QC
Tel. (450) 373-7347 Tel. (450) 627-7997

Arctic Consultants Marche Central du Nord
Villa D’Angou, QC Charlemange, QC
Tel. (514) 353-3552 Tel. (450) 581-5551

Expeditions Nordiques D.M.G. Inc.
Boisbriand, QC
Tel. (450) 971-1825

Packaging needs can be supplied by:
Nortran Arctic Consultants
La Prairie, QC Ville D’Angou, QC
Tel. (450) 659-2950 Tel. (514) 353-3552

Banks
There are no banks in Baker Lake. The closest banks are The Royal
Bank of Canada and CIBC in Rankin Inlet. There is a cash withdrawal machine at the Northern Store. Normal banking activities can be done over the phone, Internet, or through mail. Credit cards and debit cards can be used in Baker Lake.

Communications
Northwestel Inc. is the telephone service provider, located in Iqaluit. For a phone hook–up, billing inquiries and product information contact 811 or 1-800-661-0493. A residential telephone line costs $29.33 per month. Services, such as a long distance savings plan, are available at a cost of $25.00 per month.
CBC radio broadcasts on an FM station in English and Inuktitut.
Mail by Canada Post is pricey. For example, a 1kg parcel sent regionally will cost $7.45 while a 1kg parcel sent nationally is $10.55. Express post service is available. Baker Lake's post office is located at the Co-op Store.

Medical
Appointments can be made for the Baker Lake Health Centre's public
sick clinic, held from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday. There is 24-hour emergency service at 793-2816.

Recreation
Many people participate in outdoor activities such as hiking, hunting, fishing, and snowmobile riding. For hunting and fishing licenses, call the Department of Sustainable Resources at 473-8937. The Department of Sustainable Development’s wildlife officer, Joe Niego, can provide you with hunting and fishing licenses. It is best to get the hunting and fishing regulations brochures from that office regarding residency, open seasons, catch limit, fees, etc. Please note that there is a 2 year waiting period for new residents to hunt caribou. The telephone number is 867-793-2944.
Baker Lake’s recreation coordinator, Leo Lareau, is officed at the community centre/arena and can be reached @ 793-2072. Recreation opportunities are available at the elementary school gym nightly from 9 to 11 pm, predominately basketball and volleyball. Badminton is available on weekends.

Pangnaktit, a local sewing and workshop centre, is a good place to learn some traditional skills such as the tanning and sewing of caribou skin clothing, tool making, qamautik building, etc. The center is run by Jacob Ikinilik. It operates during the fall, winter and spring months usually Monday to Friday from approximately 10am to 4pm. It is sometimes open in the evenings as well from 7 to 9 pm. The staff here can also make you caribou skin boots (kamiks), ulus, parkas, etc. Check this place out for a cultural experience @ 793-2406.

Baker Lake sunrise

Housing in Baker Lake

View of Baker Lake

View From the Hill - Baker Lake

Additional Information