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Pond Inlet, Nunavut
(Mittimatalik)
“the place where Mittima rests”
Pond Inlet ( Inuktitut:
Mittimatalik, in English the place where
Mitima is buried) is a small, predominantly
Inuit community in the
Qikiqtaaluk Region of
Nunavut,
Canada and is located at the top of
Baffin Island. As of the
2006 census the population was 1,315 an increase
of 7.8% from the
2001 census[1]
making it the largest of the four
hamlets above the 72nd parallel. Pond Inlet was
named in 1818 by explorer
John Ross for
John Pond an
English
astronomer. Its economy is largely service
based with government as the largest employer. Small
businesses that serve the community,
tourism, and art work though are also found.
As a tourist destination, Pond Inlet is
considered one of Canada's "jewels of the North". It
is one of the most picturesque communities with
mountainous ranges viewable from all directions.
Icebergs are most often accessible from the
community within walking distance or a short
snowmobile ride in winter. Pond Inlet boasts a
nearby floe edge, several dozen
glaciers, explorable ice caves, and many grand
and picturesque
inlets.
Barren-ground Caribou,
Ringed Seal,
Narwhals and
Polar Bears are just some of the wildlife that
can be encountered while traveling out on the land.
Nunavut also boasts one of Canada's newest
national parks named after a majestic glacier
that can be viewed north of the community on
Bylot Island;
Sirmilik National Park.
Pond Inlet is most readily accessible by airplane
through a connection in
Iqaluit, Nunavut's capital. The ocean is ice
free for as long as three and a half months when
tourist cruise ships visit and goods can be
transported to the community by sealift cargo
carrying ships. Fresh food such as fruits,
vegetables and milk is flown from
Montreal to Pond Inlet several times a week, a
distance of about 2500 km. Because of such great
distances the cost of food and other materials such
as construction supplies can be much higher than
that of southern Canada.
Milk is approximately
$3.75/L, and soda can be as much as $4.50/can
and 1.8 L of
Ocean Spray juice was as high as $41.99 in Sept.
2004.
Although the community is not more than 2.5 km
long, snowmobiles and
four-wheelers are the main modes of
transportation. With the
decentralization of the Nunavut government and
increased economic opportunities in the community,
the number of vehicles has been increasing tenfold.
Pond Inlet has two schools: Ulaajuk (elementary
school) and Nasivvik (junior
and
high school). There are two major stores: the
local Northern (North
West Company Inc.), and the Toonoonik-Sahoonik
Cooperative Limited. The latter, most often
referred to simply as the Co-op, also operates a
local hotel and other endeavors.
Excerpt from
Wikipedia.org
Location
72°42’N, 77°59’ W. Approximate elevation 57 m at the airstrip. 525 air km SE of Resolute, 1 883 air km NE of Yellowknife, in the Baffin Region. On the southern shore of Eclipse Sound, facing Bylot Island, north Baffin Island.
Topography
On a loamy sand terrace among considerable arctic vegetation, near high glaciated mountains.
Climate
Average annual precipitation: 5.7 cm rainfall, 86.9 cm snowfall, 14.6 cm total precipitation. July mean high 7.9 °C, low 1.2 °C. January mean high -26.4 °C, low -35.1 °C. Winds S at 9.5 km/h.
History
Pond Inlet, in the ancestral homeland of the North Baffin Inuit, is a rich area for Thule culture archaeological sites. The inlet was named after John Pond, Astronomer royal, by John Ross in 1888. The settlement’s Inuktitut name, Mittimatalik, means “the place where Mittima rests”. The Mittima referred to may be the Inuk, Mittimak, who ran the Sabellum Company trading post at Singiyok c. the 1930’s. From 1880 to about 1900, whalers and free traders frequented Albert Harbour, 27 km east of the present site. In 1921, the Hudson’s Bay Company established a post, as did the RCMP.
Demography
-
Population: 2006 census, 1500.
-
1986 sex distribution: 52% male, 48% female.
-
1986 age distribution: 0-4, 16%; 5-14, 28%; 15-64, 52%, 65+, 3%
-
1987 ethnic distribution: 0% Dene/Metis, 94% Inuit, 6% non-native.
-
Languages spoken: Inuktitut, English.
Hamlet Formed
Economy
Major activities -- Marine mammal harvesting, hunting/fishing, trapping; oil exploration, mining (Nanisivik)
Banks -- None. Co-ops: Toonoonik-Sahoonik Co-operative Limited
Renewable Resources --
Fish: Arctic Char;
Marine Mammals: Right Whale, Ringed Seal, Harp Seal, Bearded Seal, Beluga, Narwhal, Walrus, Killer Whale;
Game: Caribou, Arctic Fox, Wolf, Polar Bear; Quotas: Caribou, 50; Polar Bear, 15-23
Total number of trappers (1987-88): 22
Total dollars earned: $3 650
Renewable Resources Officers: Bert Dean, Jaco Sangoyak
Other renewable resources: hydroelectric potential
Non-renewable Resources --
Minerals: 80-160 km NW of high iron, medium uranium potential area.
Oil and Gas: Panarctic, High Arctic Islands, Bent Horn oilfield.
Other non-renewable resources: Coal seams formerly mined in spring for local fuel.
Prices and Income -- Private Households Average Income, 1985: $27 538. Food prices, 1987: 79% higher than Yellowknife.
Local Businesses -- In addition to those listed above: Building contractors, taxis, general retail, food, consultants, hotels, restaurants.
Transportation
Air (Take-offs and landings, 1988-89: 1 345)
Airport Operator: Hamlet of Pond Inlet (NU)
Airport Facilities: Licensed 1219 m x 30 m gravel runway; taxiway and apron; Airfield lighting consisting of taxi/apron edge lights; runway, identification, end, approach and threshold lights, apron floodlights. Lighted wind sock, and rotating beacon; Navaid - NDB; Air terminal building.
Services: Community Airport Radio Station (CARS) - Weather/Communications: Scheduled airfield maintenance.
Scheduled Service: First Air via Iqaluit; Kenn Borek Air via Resolute.
Water
Eastern Arctic Sealift; Barge service: operator, Transport Canada from Montreal.
Communications
-
Postal Code: X0A 0S0. Mail five times a week
-
Telephone: NorthWest Tel (Anik), local and long distance.
-
Radio: CBC Radio (Anik), community radio
-
Television: Community Cable Television (StarChoice)
Medical/Social Services
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Community Health Centre: New Facility opened in 2004
-
Medical staff: seven person
-
Social Service Facilities: one person Community Social Services office; Alcohol Program, Health and Social Services Committee, Youth Justice Committee
Education
-
School: Ulaajuk, K-6, Takijualuk, 7-11; Student Enrolment (1988-89): 314; Teachers: 17; Local Education Authority: Pond Inlet Education Council.
-
Vocational and Continuing Education: Adult Education Centre, two resident adult educators, Outreach worker, Arctic College extension program.
Housing and Accommodation
-
NWT Housing Corporation units (1989): 136
-
HAP housing allocations 1980-89: 15
-
NU staff housing units: 13 houses, 8 duplexes, 2 apts. Commercial accommodation: Sauniq Hotel, accommodates 41
Recreation and Culture
Community hall. School gymnasium, covered arena, playgrounds, Rebecca Panikpak Idlout Library. Recreation Committee.
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