Introduction

History

Introduction
Chesterfield Inlet, or Igluligaarjuk in Inuktitut (meaning places with a few houses), is a small community located on the west coast of Hudson Bay, approximately 101 km north of Rankin Inlet. Chesterfield Inlet is one of the oldest settlements in Nunavut, with a history dating back to the whalers who once wintered in the region. The community is located near the inlet that bears its’ name, which runs from Hudson Bay to Baker Lake. The inlet on which the community sits was once used as a summer settlement for the Inuit group known as the Thule Inuit.
The hamlet offices and Pimakslirvik Corporation, which is a home care facility for children with special needs servicing all of Nunavut, employ a large number of individuals from the community. The two stores, the school, and government agencies also provide employment to many people in the community. During the summer months, arctic char can be caught and sold to Iqalukpik, the local fish processing plant. During the winter months, hunters travel out on the land for caribou, wolf, and polar bear.
The current population of Chesterfield Inlet is estimated at 400 people, 90% whom are Inuit. Of those who live in the community, approximately 120 are school aged children and youth.

History
Named about 1749, after Philip Dormer (Stanhope), 4th Earl of Chesterfield (1694-1773) who was the Secretary of State from 1746-48 and is the well-known author of "Chesterfield's Letters" and other works.

From the mid 1800's to the beginning of this century, whalers visited the area regularly and often over-wintered here. They counted on local Inuit to hunt for them and to man their whaleboats.

At Chesterfield Inlet, Inuit often gathered to seek employment or to trade goods. Until the 1950's the community was a major centre North of Churchill, MB. It was the Hudson's Bay Company's main supply centre for other posts in the area. Chesterfield was also the site of the largest RCMP barracks and the largest Roman Catholic mission in the eastern arctic, as well as the medical and educational centre for the region.

Sunrise in Nunavut

Weather

Wildlife

Weather
Chesterfield Inlet is located on the Hudson Bay lowlands and is relatively flat. Due to the low-lying landscape, Chesterfield Inlet experiences moderate to strong wind conditions many days of the year. The temperatures in Chesterfield average between –28°C and –35°C during the winter months, and between 4°C and 13°C during the summer months. Extreme temperatures during the winter can be as low as –46°C (not including the wind chill). With the wind chill factor included, it can feel like –50°C to -70°C! March and April are the “storm” months for Chesterfield Inlet. This is the time of year when most of the blizzards happen, although you will almost surely experience some earlier. During the winter months, the air in your apartment can become very dry, so you may wish to bring a humidifier with you. The winter months usually bring cold but sunny weather. The days become longer during April and May when the sea ice starts to break
up and the average temperature increases to approximately –5°C to –10°C.

During the spring and summer months the sun may be in the sky for 18-20 hours becoming less and less as the months move into the winter season. During the months of August and September, fog and rain are regular occurrences. The first snowfall can be expected to take place usually around the end of September or early October. The winter sees the shortest days in December with the sun rising at about 10 am and setting at about 3:00 on the shortest days. The coldest days of the year occur in January and February when the wind adds more of a bite.

Wildlife
Beluga whales, Arctic char, and other fish are some of the marine life that patrols in the waters surrounding the community. Although not seen regularly, orcas can sometimes be viewed further out from shore in Chesterfield Inlet area. Polar bears, foxes, lemmings, and arctic hare are some of the land mammals seen around the community (polar bears frequent the area in the months of October and November).

Transportation

Housing

Transportation
Calm Air and Kivalliq Air provide regular air service to and from Chesterfield Inlet Charter services can be obtained through Kivalliq Air in Rankin Inlet. Calm Air has a scheduled flight from Chesterfield Inlet to Rankin Inlet and points south on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Kivalliq Air services Chesterfield Inlet every weekday, as well as one day during the weekend.
Direct flights with First Air or Canadian North to major centers such as Ottawa, Winnipeg or Edmonton connect out of Rankin Inlet.

Weather plays a large part in controlling flight schedules in the north, so regular flights to Chesterfield Inlet are dependent on good weather in Churchill, Manitoba and Rankin Inlet. The airline does not pay expenses when a flight to Chesterfield Inlet is cancelled or delayed due to weather so be prepared to overnight in either Winnipeg, Churchill or Rankin Inlet depending on how far north the flight makes it. Another important element to remember when traveling in the north is excess baggage can be a challenge. Calm Air has different baggage allowances than Air Canada or other southern air carriers: 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. Pack essential items and medicine that you may require on a daily basis in your carry-on bag just in case you have to overnight somewhere that is not your final destination. If you are traveling with perishable goods, be sure that you use a good cooler and ice packs.

Within the community a majority of the residents use ATV’s (Honda’s as they are known here) in the summer and fall, while snowmobiles are primarily used during the winter months.
Taxi service is provided by Kingnguvaaq in town, to take people to the airport as well as to other locations in town. The distance from one end of the community to the other is a relatively short walking distance.

Housing
Government housing is limited; however, education staff can access a duplex apartment. The apartments are relatively old but have been well-maintained over the years. The apartments are two stories with the bedrooms and bathroom located on the lower floor and the living and kitchen area located upstairs. The bathroom for each apartment is located on the corner of the building so it is recommended that a small space heater be brought up to prevent the bathtub drain from freezing. All major appliances (washer, dryer, fridge, and stove) are included. The furniture in each apartment includes one single and one double bed, dressers, kitchen table and chairs as well as living room furniture. Small kitchen and entertainment appliances are not included, and must be provided by the tenant.

Each unit as two large storage closets: one on each floor. The apartments each have their own water and hot water tank, but share the sewage holding tank. Water is delivered every other day and sewage is pumped out on the off days. The cost of water delivery and garbage pick-up is not included in the monthly rent as it is a municipality service. The cost of the hamlet services can run anywhere from $40 to $60 for a family of two per month.

Airport - Chesterfield Inlet

Hotel in Chesterfield Inlet

School

School
Victor Sammurtok School is a relatively new school building offering grades K-12. The school has a gym located on site as well as home economics and shop rooms available for cultural lessons. There are approximately 120 students from K-12, with a staff of approximately 16. The staff of Victor Sammurtok School includes four teachers from kindergarten to grade 6, three teachers from grades 7 to 12, a principal, three special needs and classroom learning assistants, culture instructors, as well as a custodian and part-time secretary.

The school year generally runs from the middle of August to late May or early June. The classes of Victor Sammurtok School are all split grade classes with the exception of kindergarten. There is also an Inuktitut class where the students from grades 5-12 learn Inuktitut four to five days a week for 40 minutes a day. An Arctic College campus is also located in the community where people can upgrade specific courses, take new courses, as well as certificate programs.

Victor Sammurtok School

Food

Banking

Communications

Power

Medical

Recreation

Food
There are two stores located in Chesterfield; a Northern Store and a Co-op Store. Each store sells goods such as canned and dry goods, fresh fruit, vegetables and dairy products as well as home supplies and hardware. Fresh food items for each store are usually flown in once a week on cargo. Due to the weather conditions in the winter, supply of fresh goods on a regular basis is dependent upon flight arrivals and cancellations. There is also a small shop operated by Kingnuvaaq Ltd., which also runs the taxi. The shop is open after the Northern and Co-op close and sells snack food, material and other small items.

Due to the cost of food in the community it is suggested that a sealift order be considered for regular non-perishable items as well as frozen goods. The sea-lift services Chesterfield Inlet twice a year during the summer months between August and September.

Communications
Modern telephone and Internet services are available in the community. For phone service, call Northwestel at 1-800-661-0493. A residential line costs $35. per month. A long distance calling plan is available for $25. per month.

The community has a local radio station which has music programmed for much of the day. The local line is opened up in the morning and over the lunch hour, where notices and announcements can be called in or read over the air. The radio station also airs the Bingo games, which occur three to four nights a week.

The community has cable available through the Co-op store and satellite dishes receive good signals, other than during blizzards. If you do decide to purchase a satellite, purchase the largest-sized dish.

The post office is located within the Co-op store and is open four days a week for regular mail service. Mail service is dependent upon the aircraft that services the community and is therefore subject to weather.

Medical
Kajuqjuk Health Centre is a modern health centre staffed by two nurses as well as community health workers. There are no permanent doctors located in the community; however, they make visits on a regular basis, as do dentists and optometrists. Patients are flown to Churchill or Winnipeg for major medical emergencies or procedures.

Churches
Chesterfield Inlet had one of the first Roman Catholic Missions in the region and is still predominantly Catholic. There is a Roman Catholic church located in town with services every week as well as when the priest makes a visit.

Recreation
Throughout the year, holidays are celebrated when the community gets together to play games, enjoy square dances, and feasts, which are organized by the recreation committee. The community events are a great way for people to come together and celebrate traditional culture. During the year, the community can enjoy events such as drag races out on the sea ice, fishing derbies, and holiday games. The community gym, which is located in the hamlet building, is open many nights of the week for young people to enjoy sports and games when community events are not taking place.

An arena was built in the community and during the winter months the facility sees a lot of use. The ice sheet is natural ice and is ready for use when the temperature outside remains cold enough for freezing. A schedule is set up at the beginning of the season and all ages of hockey players as well as public skating get ample amount of ice time. There are ice times available for first-time players, right up to old-timers, as well as ladies hockey four nights a week.

Opportunities to travel out on the land are available for any enthusiastic visitor or resident. There are many hunters in the community who have taken guiding courses and are very capable of providing a great experience for new residents. Boating during the summer months is very popular and trips up the inlet happen daily. During the winter when the bay and inlet freeze, many people travel by snowmobile across the inlet for one day or more to hunt caribou.

Spring Brings the Sun!

Chesterfield Inlet From the Air

Additional Information