Qikiqtarjuaq: A Community

Qikiqtarjuaq ( big island) is located off the east coast of Baffin Island and his home to just over 500 people. It measures about 16 km from North to South and 12 km from East to west.
Qikiqtarjuaq has a coastline of about 56 km.
It is 513 km North of Iqaluit which puts it approximately 100 km North of the Arctic Circle. Pangnirtung, the closest community, is 225 km South via Pangnirtung Pass in Auyuittuq National Park.

Qikiqtarjuaq became a settlement site in 1956-57. Inuit families moved here from Pangnirtung and Clyde and abandoned Kivitoo to help build the DEW Line Sation. A frderal administrative office opened in 1958 and the Hudson’s Bay Company opened a store in 1960. The school opened in 1961 and the Anglican mission was established in 1767. Katiqsivik Gospal Church started in 1988. The permsnence of Qikiqtarjuaq was assured in 1968 when DIAND closed down the small settlement of padloping Island bringing its people to this community. Qikiqtarjuaq attained hamlet staus on August 31, 1979.

Qikiqtarjuaq is a terrific base for sighseeing up and down the coastline if Davis strait. Some of the most interesting and atteactive areas are Padle Fiord, Durban Island and North Pangnirtung fiord in Auyuittuq National Park Reserve. Wildlife sighting in these places may include polar bears, seals and narwhaels.

Infrormation provided by the Qikiqtani Inuit Association.

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