Introduction

History

Introduction
When you arrive in Iqaluit for the first time, you may get the sense that you have arrived in a frontier town; in some ways, you have. Iqaluit, formerly known as Frobisher Bay, is a growing and bustling city of approximately 6500 people, 60% of which are Inuit.
Iqaluit has many services and amenities of the south, but with a northern flare. Iqaluit overlooks Koojesse Inlet in the southern portion of Baffin Island. It is approximately 2100km north of Ottawa and Montreal. As the territorial capital city, it is the transportation, economic, and service hub of Nunavut.
Iqaluit is the meeting point for three different cultures; you will hear people speaking Inuktitut, English, and French all around town.

History
Thousands of years ago, the Dorset and Thule cultures hunted and camped in and around the area. The areas around town were prime fishing areas (thus the name Iqaluit, which means “place of fishes” in Inuktitut), and provided the Inuit and their ancestors with a source of food throughout the years.
In 1576, Martin Frobisher, an English sailor, explored the area. Believing that he had found gold, he made three voyages back to the area. Several skirmishes with local Inuit took place; in one incident, the Inuit took five of Frobisher’s men hostage. In another instance, Frobisher took four Inuit hostage, and brought them back to Europe, where they quickly died. In the 18th and 19th centuries, explorers and whalers from Europe began visiting the area regularly. The impact of western culture intensified when missionaries arrived to spread Christianity to the Inuit in the area. The Hudson’s Bay Company also planted a post in the area.

In 1942, during the Second World War, the US Air Force, with the blessing of the Canadian government, selected Iqaluit as a site to build a strategic airstrip that would handle large aircraft transporting war materials from the United States to Europe. During this time, Inuit were recruited to help construct the airstrip, hangars, and buildings. These people had no choice but to begin building their huts along the shores of Koojesse Inlet.

The Capital of Nunavut

Iqaluit at night!

Spring and Summer flowers

Weather

Wildlife

Weather
The weather in Iqaluit is typical of an arctic community. Rain and fog are common in the spring, summer, and fall months, with temperatures hovering around –5°C to 15°C during these seasons. Winter in Iqaluit can best be described as cold, with the occasional blizzard. Temperatures in winter can range anywhere from –15°C to –40°C. According to Inuit elders, the winters in recent years are less cold than what they were years ago. Nevertheless, you should dress appropriately, and bring a very warm parka for those days that do get very cold.

Wildlife
Large ravens can be seen in and around town all year. You will also see ptarmigan, seagulls, and the odd phalarope. Just outside of town, you will find caribou, arctic hare, lemmings, and foxes. The odd polar bear has also been seen close to town, so it is not advised that you walk too far outside of town without a gun, or someone who is carrying one.

Iqaluit from the hills

The shores of Frobisher Bay

Transportation

Housing

Transportation
As the transportation hub of Nunavut, Iqaluit receives regular flights to a number of southern cities. First Air and Canadian North have regularly scheduled flights to Ottawa, and First Air has additional flights to Montreal. Both Canadian North and First Air also provide service to Rankin Inlet and Yellowknife three times a week. In addition to these flights south, Iqaluit has scheduled flights to all communities on Baffin Island throughout the week.
Airfares are expensive in Nunavut. The average flight from Ottawa or Montreal to Iqaluit can range from $1000 to $1500, depending on the time of the year, and if a seat sale is happening.

There are quite a few cars, trucks, and SUV’s in town. If you decide to purchase a vehicle, be prepared to replace your tires and shocks on a regular basis; even though the main roads are paved, the unpaved side roads are rough, to say the least. If you do not want to own a vehicle, there are a number of taxi companies in town that can provide transportation. Trips are $5 per person, no matter where you are going. If you wish to venture outside of the city, you may want to consider purchasing a snowmobile for the winter and an ATV for the summer.

Housing
In most northern communities, housing is in short supply. In Iqaluit, the lack of housing is reaching crisis levels. If you get hired from the south, the government will make sure you have a place to stay when you arrive in Iqaluit. If worse comes to worse, you may end up living in a hotel room for a couple of months until a place becomes available (and you get a per diem everyday you are here without housing). Government units may run anywhere from $900 to $2000 per month (they are government subsidized). Some units are furnished, and some are not. A furnished apartment generally costs about $60 more per month. Be sure to ask if you are moving into a furnished or unfurnished unit when you are assigned living quarters. No matter if you are moving into a furnished or unfurnished unit, you will need to purchase a television, small kitchen appliances, and entertainment appliances.

If you are interested in purchasing a house in Iqaluit, there are always people leaving town. Depending on how long you plan on staying, home ownership may be well worth the investment. Homes can range from $200,000 to the rather extravagant $500,0000 (which does not include your land lease). All land in Nunavut is leased to the government. You pay so much for your lease every year as well as for your home. Heating oil for the furnace is included in the monthly rental, but utilities such as electricity, water delivery, garbage collection, and sewage removal are extra. Some units are on the city’s underground piped water and sewage system. For those not on the underground pipe system, water is delivered by truck to a water reservoir tank in your house and sewage is pumped out by a truck from the sewage tank.

Airport in Iqaluit

Iqaluit offers many housing choices

Nanook School in Apex

Ecole Des Trois-Soleils
(Iqaluit's French Immersion School)

Schools

Schools
Since Iqaluit is the capital of Nunauvt and has the largest population, there are six schools to serve students needs.

Nakasuk School is a community. Within this community are represented a wide variety of personal, social and cultural traditions. It is our prime goal to create an atmosphere of mutual respect, understanding and co-operation. Within that framework this school is dedicated to providing for each child a comfortable, secure learning environment which will:
• respect the language and culture of the child
• respect the unique needs of the child
• respect the interests, abilities and goals of the child and his/her
family
• provide for opportunities to encourage activities fostering attitudes of co-operation and collaboration
• provide for growth in skill, knowledge (the foundation for life-long learning)
The guiding principles which are to be shared by all staff and students are summarized by the following words:
• Caring
• Consideration
• Sharing
• Respect
• Responsibility

Aqsarniit School
Aqsarniit Ilinniarvik is Iqaluit’s middle school. It is located high on a hill overlooking Frobisher Bay. Presently we have approxiamately 200 students divided into five grade six classrooms and four grade seven classrooms. Our school has undergone major renovations, with a new wing having been built onto our school. As of September, 2006 our school
is now a Grade six to eight middle school.
Our staff is committed to learning more about the special developmental needs of adolescents and the best educational practices for this age group. Together as a school team we strive to provide each of our students with an academic program which meets their individual needs. We also partner with parents and community members to provide our students with a variety of extracurricular activities, such as Peacekeepers, Environmental Club, Choir, Fiddle Club, Intramural Sports, Homework Club, Chess Club, and Student Council. Our school is recognized as an Effective Behaviour Systems School, and one of Canada’s Network of Innovative Schools.

Inukshuk High School - by Michelle Jacquard
What is that big blue building with the little circle windows? What activities take place inside there? What is a day in the life of the blue box building like?
The blue box building is Inuksuk High School, home to over 500 students from Grade 8 –12. 2 floors of fun, you might say. In the downstairs central area, is the Tisi – a gathering place, and in the upstairs central area is the library. There are 31 FNT members on staff, a School Community Counsellor, and 4.5 CSA’s. There is a large cafeteria that has housed Cooking Classes from Arctic College for the last several years that serve both breakfast and lunch to students and staff. There are shop, music, art, computer, and band programs that junior high and high school students take part in. A new Journalism course is just beginning with an updated website soon to follow. Our Lands Program includes boat trips in the fall and igloo building and fishing trips in the spring. Boys and Girls Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, Weightlifting, Badminton, Judo, and Wrestling are sports that many students participate in. For the past few years, a large musical production has been put on in conjunction with the Iqaluit Music Society.
Students from Inuksuk High School find themselves participating in many activities that involve travel to all parts of the world. Inuksuk students participate in Leadership Camps, Justice System Workshops, Olympic Youth Academies, Skills Canada activities and Competitions, Student Commonwealth Forum, Interchange on Canadian Studies Duke of Edinburgh Awards Program, MYATT, YEAH North – both health related groups – and sports and cultural exchange trips just to name a few. Students and staff are active and involved at Inuksuk High School. So A day inside the big blue box building with the circle windows is usually busy and filled with a lot of opportunity to grow, learn and be involved.

Inuksuk High School

Aqsarniit Middle School

New Addition to Aqsarniit School

Nakasuk Elementary

Inuksuk High School

Ecole Des Trois-Soleils

Food

Communications

Postal Service

Power

Medical

Police

Churches

Recreation

Food
There are a number of food stores in Iqaluit. The North Mart and Arctic Ventures are the main food stores in Iqaluit. The North Mart carries a large selection of food, including dairy products and a large assortment of fresh produce. Arctic Ventures carries many specialty food items, such as Asian food supplies and other uncommon foods. Prices at both stores are high, compared to southern prices.

Below is a list of some prices that you would find in Iqaluit:
2L 2% milk............$8.99
1 doz eggs............$3.99
1 loaf of bread.......$2.59
1 lb butter...........$4.45
1 2kg bag of flour....$14.45
1 can of Coke.........$2.00
150g bag of chips.....$4.99

There are also a number of convenience stores located throughout the city that can provide you with food. Some residents prefer to order much of their food from Montreal every week. Place your order on Monday and you can pick it up at the First Air hangar on Saturday. You can order most of your groceries (excluding snacky foods) and cleaning supplies from any one of a number of groups.
For non-perishable food items, including frozen food and produce, many teachers place a sea lift order with Marche Turenne, a sea lift company in Montreal. This is usually done in May or June for the following year. Get a copy of their catalogue by calling 1-514-637-3231. Once you have a copy of their catalogue, fill out the form.

Communications
Northwestel serves the Eastern Arctic and long distance rates are reasonable, even by southern standards. Out of town calls are relayed by satellite, so there is a noticeable delay when talking.
High speed, wireless, and dial up Internet services are available in Iqaluit. Cellular phones also work in the city.

CBC radio broadcasts on an FM station, which is interrupted at intervals during the day with local programming. There is also a local top 40 radio station in town, which is called Raven Rock.

Cable television is available. Without cable, there is one channel, APTN, which has a combination of English and Inuktitut programs. Satellite television also works in town; however, if you choose to purchase a satellite, you must purchase the largest size dish possible in order to receive a good signal.

Mail arrives from Montreal and Ottawa via air. First Air brings it on their regular flights. Services vary and letters take from four days to two weeks from the south. Parcels take from four days to six weeks. An updated schedule will be available upon arrival. The post office is located in the downtown section of the city, and a limited number of post office boxes are available. To get a box, you can go directly to the post office.
The postal code for Iqaluit is X0A 0H0.

Power
The Nunavut Power Corporation supplies the town with diesel driven electricity. Power service is well subsidized and fees vary depending on your residence, consumption, and household anywhere from $50. to $150. per month. It is recommended that you bring a battery-operated clock because electric clocks will gain and lose time on a regular basis.

Medical
The Baffin Regional Hospital is located in Iqaluit, and handles most of the health care needs. For emergency medical attention, patients should get themselves to the hospital if they can. If an ambulance is required, call the emergency number, and one will be sent. For non-emergency medical care, contact the outpatient clinic at the hospital to make an appointment.
A new hospital is being built, and is expected to be complete within the next year.
Although there is no resident eye doctor in town, an ophthalmologist visits regularly. The Iqaluit Dental Clinic provides dental services, and Valupharm Drugs provides pharmaceutical services.

Police
As a territorial hub, there are many RCMP officers and divisions located in Iqaluit. If there is an emergency, please call 979-1111.
There is a fire department in the community.

Churches

Recreation
There are many things to do in Iqaluit. You have the opportunity to go to a movie, eat at a five star restaurant, or go swimming in one of only two swimming pools in Nunavut. If you prefer to have a night out on the town, the Storehouse Bar and Grill is a drinking establishment in town, as is the Royal Canadian Legion (you must be a member or accompany a member in order to get in).

If you prefer to go out on the land and experience the beautiful scenery of the north, near by Sylvia Grinnell Park is an excellent spot to experience it. It is within walking distance and offers breathtaking views of the hills and mountains surrounding the city. In the winter, many people go on skidoo trips. You can also drive the 'Road to Nowhere' and see exactly where it goes....

The NorthMart in Iqaluit

Arrival in Iqaluit

Additional Information