Introduction

History

Introduction
Located at 68°N by 89°W on the southwest shore of the Simpson Peninsula, Kugaaruk, (Pelly Bay), has been known for generations amongst the Inuit as excellent seal hunting grounds. On the map of Canada, we are on the east side of Pelly Bay at the mouth of the Peter River in the new Territory of Nunavut. The town has a population of 542. Kugaaruk is growing very fast. Almost everyone who lives in Kugaaruk are Inuit.

History
Surrounded by rugged scenery, Kugaaruk has long been occupied by the Netsiligmiut - (the people of the seal).
In 1968, the Canadian government transported thirty-two prefabricated houses into Pelly Bay. Until then, the Arviligjuaqmiut lived a semi-nomadic lifestyle. Small family groups, living in igluit (igloos) and skin tents, followed the caribou that sustained them. Occasionally, groups would come together to hunt and fish. In 1937, when the Catholic mission was established here, groups would meet for Christmas celebrations at Kugaarjuk (the mouth of the Kugajuk River), then separate again to pursue their nomadic cycle.

The first Catholic missionary, Father Pierre Henri, arrived in 1935. He built a small stone chapel/house, but soon learned that stone wasn't a good insulator in this harsh climate. Instead, he adopted Inuit ways, living in an iglu and wearing traditional Inuit clothing during the cold months. He and Father Franz Van de Velde, who remained a powerful force in the community until 1965, built the stone church in 1941. Recently, the Hamlet of Pelly Bay received a government grant to restore the deteriorating church as a historic site.

Until 1955, when the DEW (Distant Early Warning) Line construction began, people here had almost no contact with the outside world. In 1829, English explorer John Ross camped nearby, but no whalers or Hudson's Bay Co. trading post ever came to Pelly Bay. Ice jams around the islands guarding the Bay's mouth made access almost impossible. The rapid arrival of the modern world has led to an interesting blend of cultures.
It's not unusual when visiting a home to find family members watching the latest movie on a large-screen TV, while eating raw arctic char cut from a fish lying on a square of cardboard in the middle of the room.
Created by the Canadian government to help assert its sovereignty over the North, Pelly Bay is now a small settlement with a wage economy. Although traditional activities remain very important here, the community is in rapid transition: cable TV has arrived, and Internet access began in 1998. In 2000 Pelly Bay became officially know as “Kugaaruk,” which is the traditional name for the area. Only a few elders who have lived more than half their lives in the old ways on the land are still alive. And while efforts are being made to preserve Inuktitut, English is now the first language of many preschoolers.

Inukshuks in Kugaaruk

The Shore of Pelly Bay - Kugaaruk

Wallhanging at Kugaaruk Airport
(Muskox Hair)

Weather

Wildlife

Weather
Kugaaruk’s weather is typical of most northern communities. Temperatures are extremely cold in the winter: -25° to –35°C is the normal range of temperatures. If you include the wind chill, temperatures can be –60°C or below. The temperature in July and August usually averages between 5° and 15°C. There will be the occasional blizzard (or two) in Kugaaruk during the course of the winter.
Because the community is so far north, there is a dark season and a light season. It is important to have good light sources in your own living quarters during this time. You may find that you are very tired during the dark season. There are also three months of light in the summer. Many people put tin foil or black garbage
bags over their windows to make sleeping easier. Even with this, you may find that you are ready to start your day at 4am.

Wildlife
The waters surrounding Kugaaruk are alive with marine animals such as bowhead whales, narwhals, walrus and, of course, seals. The rocky coastline offers up glimpses of falcons, caribou, and polar bears.

Polar Bears are a common sight in Kugaaruk

Transportation

Housing

Transportation
First Air offers flights to Kugaaruk from Yellowknife five days in the week. Kenn Borek also services Kugaaruk three times a week. The flights to Kugaaruk stop in Cambirdge Bay, Gjoa Haven, and Taloyoak. A return ticket to Edmonton on First
Air can run anywhere from $2000. to $2300. First Air is an Air Canada partner. Although there are some cars and trucks, most people in town get around by snowmobile or ATV. A number of community members own cars or trucks.
There is a taxi service in town available that is run by the local Co-op store.

Housing
Housing, as with most communities in Nunavut, housing is in short supply. There are government house that can be rented for $1200. to $1400 per month. The rent depends on the size of the house. Each government house includes basic furnishings (tables, beds, chairs, sofa), as well as window coverings, washer, dryer, fridge, and stove. These units do not include small kitchen and entertainment appliances. Heating oil for the furnace is included in the price of rent, but utilities such as telephone, power, water and sewage, and garbage removal are not. These utilities cost a total of approximately $150 per month. To set up your water and sewage account, visit the Pierre Henri Hamlet Centre.

Display at Airport in Kugaaruk

School

Kugaaruk Ilihakvik

Food

Communications

Power

Medical

Police

Churches

Recreation

Food
Kugaaruk has only one store: the local Co-op. It is a general store and has a selection of groceries, clothing, and hardware. Prices are much higher than those down south because of the high cost of shipping and freight,.
The local Co-op receives fresh produce once or twice a week. Food mail programs are a method to ensure that you can have fresh produce; people order groceries through Yellowknife stores such as Sunspun and the Yellowknife Coop. Items such as canned, dry, and frozen food, along with toiletries and cleaning
supplies can be ordered through a sealift order.

Orders must be placed in May for delivery in the fall. The sea-lift company that services Kugaaruk is Marche Turenne based out of Laval, Quebec. Call Marche Turenne at 514-637-3231.

Banks
There are no banks in Kugaaruk; however, basic banking services are available through the Co-op. There is an automated teller machine to withdraw cash, and you can open a savings account and do money exchanges with the store. The nearest banks are in Yellowknife. There is also a Royal Bank in Cambridge Bay. Normal banking activities can be done over the phone, Internet, or through mail. You can use your debit card at the bank machine at the Co-op to obtain cash and you can use it to pay for your purchases at both the Northern store and the Co-op. Visa is also accepted.

Communications
Telephone services in Kugaaruk are provided by Northwestel.
Connections are reliable and it is possible to phone virtually anywhere with a minimum of difficulty. Affordable weekend and evening long distance plans are available.
CBC radio broadcasts on an FM station, which is interrupted at intervals during the day with local programming.
The Co-op is also the cable television provider. Their cable TV service offers about 40 channels for $55/month. Bell ExpressVu satellite television works in Kugaaruk. You can bring a dish up with you in your initial move, or order one the phone when you get here. You must order the largest size dish to have good
reception here.
Internet service is available at the school or the library free of charge. Polarnet offers dial-up Internet services to residents of the Kitikmeot communities. The connection is rather slow, compared to Internet services in southern Canada. Call the local Internet provider at 867-983-2176. There is also reliable access to the Internet at the school, hamlet office, and health centre.
There is a small post office located in the Pierre Henri hamlet office. Mail is delivered and sent out three times a week. The post office sells stamps and money orders and has a limited supply of things like Expresspost envelopes.

Power
The Nunavut Power Corporation supplies the town with electricity. Power service is well subsidized and fees vary depending on your residence, consumption, and household anywhere from $50. to $150. per month.

Medical
The health centre offers 24-hour on-call emergency service, and a nonemergency sick clinic open Mondays to Fridays from 9:00-11:30am. The health centre is staffed with full-time nurses. There are periodic visits from a number of different specialists, including: a pediatrician; a general practitioner; an ear, nose, and throat specialist; a physiotherapist; a speech-language pathologist; an occupational therapist; and an audiologist. A dentist usually visits Kugaaruk every month or two. Serious medical emergencies or procedures are flown to either Yellowknife or Edmonton.
The phone number for the Health Center is 769-6441.

Police
Kugaaruk has an RCMP detachment.
For Emergencies call 769-1111
General Enquiries call 769-0123

Church
There is a Roman Catholic church in Kugaaruk.

Recreation
The community gym, located in the Pierre Henri Centre, is open most evenings for a variety of sports organized by the recreation department of the hamlet of Kugaaruk. The high gym is frequently used for games of floor hockey, soccer, badminton and such. The arena (pictured above) also has a variety of sporting events including hockey and public skating. If you enjoy working out, it is highly recommended that you bring your own equipment with you. It would be very expensive for you to order it once you arrive in town.

Venturing out on the land on your snowmobile or ATV is a great way to enjoy the many historic sites or simply take in the serenity and breathtaking views of Kugaaruk. The end of May, June, August and September are the best months to enjoy driving on an ATV. April and the beginning of May are the best times to go on the land with a snowmobile.

Fishing in Kugaaruk

Kugaaruk Ilihakvik

Welcome to Kugaaruk Ilihakvik!

View from the school

View of the Community of Kugaaruk

The School in winter

Additional Information