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Cambridge Bay

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Cambridge Bay
Iqaluktuuttiaq
ᐃᖃᓗᒃᑑᑦᑎᐊᖅ
Aerial view of Cambridge Bay looking north
Aerial view of Cambridge Bay looking north
Nickname: 
Cam Bay
Country Canada
Territory Nunavut
RegionKitikmeot Region
Electoral districtCambridge Bay
Settled1921
Incorporated (hamlet)1 April 1984
Government
 • MayorSyd Glawson
 • Senior Administrative OfficerStephen King
 • MLAKeith Peterson
Area
 • Hamlet202.20 km2 (78.07 sq mi)
 • Urban
0.49 km2 (0.19 sq mi)
Elevation31 m (102 ft)
Highest elevation
183 m (600 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2006)[3][4]
 • Hamlet1,477
 • Density7.3/km2 (19/sq mi)
 • Urban
1,147
 • Urban density2,300/km2 (6,100/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC-7 (MST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-6 (MDT)
Canadian Postal code
Area code867
Telephone Exchange983
GNBC CodeCAPHL
NTS Map77D02
WebsiteOfficial site

Cambridge Bay, (Inuinnaqtun: Iqaluktuuttiaq Inuktitut: ᐃᖃᓗᒃᑑᑦᑎᐊᖅ; 2006 population 1,477;[3] UA population 1,147[4]) named for Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge, is a hamlet located in the Kitikmeot Region of Nunavut, Canada. The traditional Inuinnaqtun name for the area is Ikaluktuutiak (old orthography) or Iqaluktuttiaq (new orthography) meaning "good fishing place".

The traditional language of the area is Inuinnaqtun and is written using the Latin alphabet rather than the syllabics of the Inuktitut writing system. Like Kugluktuk, Bathurst Inlet and Umingmaktok syllabics are rarely seen and used mainly by the Government of Nunavut.[6][7]

Cambridge Bay is the largest stop for passenger and research vessels traversing the Arctic Ocean's Northwest Passage,[8] a disputed area which the Government of Canada claims are Canadian Internal Waters, while other nations state they are either territorial waters or international waters.[9][10]

Location and population

Situated between Dease Strait[11] and Queen Maud Gulf[12] on the southeast coast of Victoria Island (Kitlineq[13]), part of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago,[14] Cambridge Bay is a transportation and administrative centre for the Kitikmeot Region.[15] To the north of the community is Ferguson Lake (Inuinnaqtun: Tahiryuaq or Tahikyoak)[16] which flows into Wellington Bay via the Ekalluk River. The Ekalluk River is both an important commercial fishing and archaeological area,[17] and of particular importance is the short section of the river known as Iqaluktuuq.[18]

About 37 km (23 mi) west of the community lie the Finlayson Islands which were surveyed by Sir Richard Collinson on board the Enterprise during his search for Sir John Franklin's lost expedition.[19]

The area was a traditional hunting and fishing location and archaeological sites are often found. Barren-ground Caribou, muskox, Arctic char, lake trout and Ringed Seal were the primary, and remain important food sources. Situated east of Cambridge Bay is Ovayok Territorial Park, which includes the large esker known as Ovayok (Mount Pelly).[20]

As of the 2006 census the population was 1,477, an increase of 12.8% from the 2001 census.[3][21] The median age of the population is 26.3 and 69.3% of the people are over 15.[3] Both of these figures are slightly higher than the numbers for Nunavut as a whole (23.1 and 66.1%).[3] In 2006, 82.7% (Nunavut: 85.0%) of the population were listed as Aboriginal and 17.7% (Nunavut: 15%) as non-Aboriginal. Of the total population 78.9% (Nunavut: 84%) were Inuit, 1.7% (Nunavut: 0.4%) Métis and 1.4% (Nunavut: 0.3%) North American Indian.[22]

History

A Dorset culture stone longhouse near Cambridge Bay

The first known people to occupy the area were the Pre-Dorset people, somewhere around 1800 BCE, about 4,000 years ago, and were seal and caribou hunters.[23] The next group to enter the area were a Paleo-Eskimo peoples known as the Dorset's, who arrived approximately 500 CE. They were the first known people to have fished for the Arctic char.[24] The last of the Paleo-Eskimo people, who appeared he about 800 CE, were the Tuniit, and evidence of their living quarters can be seen close to Cambridge Bay. The Tuniit, who were known to the Inuit as giants, were taller and stronger than the Inuit, but were easily scared off.[25][26]

The next group to arrive were the Thule people, ancestors of the modern Inuit, who arrived in the area around 1250 CE from present day Alaska. The Thule people built food cache and stone houses in the area and were noted for their sophisticated tools.[27] Although there is no positive evidence it is suspected that the Thule may have interacted with the Tuniit.[25]

About 500 years ago, around 1500 CE, the modern Inuit made an appearance. Like the Thule they made use of caches, hunted caribou and fished for char. They also hunted seal from the ice in winter and returned to the land in spring. They were also know to make use of inukhuk and built igluit.[28] Although they had no collective name, the various groups of Inuit that made use of native copper for tools have since become known as Copper Inuit and are the same people that Vilhjalmur Stefansson called the Blond Eskimos.[29][30] The main groups that lived or interacted in the Cambridge Bay area were the Ekalluktogmiut (Iqaluktuurmiutat[18] or Ikaluktuurmiut), Ahiagmiut (Ahiarmiut), the Killinirmuit and the Umingmuktogmiut.[31]

Cambridge Bay was the site of Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Hudson's Bay Company outposts established during the 1920s. Although at this point most Inuit would have continued the traditional lifestyle and only visited the area rather than live there permanently.[32] The HBC opened a post here in 1921, later than in most places, and built at the site now called the "old town".[12][32] In 1925 the HBC purchased the Maud, which they renamed the Baymaud, from the creditors of Arctic explorer, Roald Amundsen. The ship sailed to the Arctic in 1926 but it became stuck in the winter ice at Cambridge Bay. The ship was later anchored near the shore and used for various purposes including the first ever radio weather reports from the Arctic coast.[33] In 1930 the ship sank and, although some material was removed at the time, the ship is still visible.[33]

In 1947 following World War II the Cambridge Bay LORAN Tower was built near the previous location of Cambridge Bay.[32] The construction of the LORAN tower involved hiring Inuit who, after the tower was complete, remained in the area.[32] In 1954 construction was completed on the Roman Catholic Church. The church, Cambridge Bay's first, was constructed from local material using seal oil and sand as mortar, and was used for services until the 1960s.[32][34] In 2006, a large portion of the church, which had been designated a heritage site by the Hamlet Council, was destroyed by fire which the RCMP said was deliberate.[34][35]

The old stone church in 1998

A Distant Early Warning Line site was established in 1955 and about 200 Inuit were hired to help in the construction.[32] The military presence and the services and economy this represented acted as a magnet for Inuit who had previously used the area as a temporary site for meeting, hunting, fishing and trade, and a permanent community was soon established across the bay in its current location.[32] Unlike the majority of the DEW Line radar sites which were abandoned or automated, this site which changed in 1989, known as CAM-MAIN, remains a manned operation, with about 18 people, as part of the North Warning System.[36][37]

Originally part of the Fort Smith Region, Northwest Territories, Cambridge Bay became the administrative centre for the Kitikmeot Region, Northwest Territories, and remained so after the 1999 division of the Northwest Territories. In 1982 a division plebiscite was held. Although about 80% of the population then living in what is now Nunavut voted in favour of division, Cambridge Bay was one of only two communities to vote against division, Kugluktuk, then called Coppermine, was the other.[38]

During his campaign for the January 2006 Canadian federal election, Conservative Party leader Stephen Harper unveiled an Arctic Defence plan which would establish a permanent Arctic training school near Cambridge Bay.[39] In August 2007, Harper announced that the training base would be in Resolute Bay, Nunavut.

High Arctic Research Station

Cambridge Bay will be the location of Canada's new High Arctic Research Station, as was announced by Prime Minister Harper on 24 August 2010. This station will be built as an integral part of Canada's Northern Stategy and serves political purposes -such as asserting Canada's sovereignty in the high north- as much as concrete research objectives. Cambridge Bay was chosen after a feasibility study that also included Pond Inlet and Resolute as potential locations. It will be a year-round, multidisciplinary facility exploring the cutting-edge of Arctic science and technology issues; opening is foreseen in 2017. Total costs are as yet unknown, but pre-construction design alone is budgeted at 18 million (Canadian) dollars.[40][41]

Community services

Cambridge Bay 1998

The Cambridge Bay Childcare Society runs a day care program which also includes a pre-school.[42] There are two schools in the community, Kullik Ilihakvik is the elementary school, Kindergarten to G6 and Kiilinik High School for G7 to G12. Both schools have about 250 students.[12] The high school also houses the local library and museum operated by the Kitikmeot Heritage Society.[43] The community is also the regional centre for the Kitikmeot Campus of Nunavut Arctic College who oversee the Cambridge Bay Community Learning Centre. Courses range from Adult Basic Education to the Nunavut Teacher Education Program (NETP), which, in partnership with the University of Regina, is able to offer a Bachelor of Education.[44][45][46]

The Kitikmeot Inuit Association, Nunavut Impact Review Board, and Nunavut Planning Commission have offices in Cambridge Bay, as well as the Lands and Resources Department of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.[47][48][49][50]

There are three churches in Cambridge Bay, St. George's Anglican Church, which is part of the Diocese of Arctic, Our Lady of the Arctic Roman Catholic Church, which is part of the Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith and the Glad Tidings Pentecostal Church.[51][52][53]

There are several businesses in the community and these include a Northern Store which includes a Quick Stop selling KFC and Pizza Hut,[54] the Ikaluktutiak Co-operative, part of the Arctic Co-operatives Limited,[55] a branch of the Royal Bank of Canada [56] and a Canada Post run post office.[57] Other community businesses include Jago Services, plumbing and electrical,[58] Kitnua, construction, mechanics shop, heating fuel and Kitikmeot Supplies, a hardware store,[59] Kalvik Enterprises and Nanook Woodworking, both construction companies[60][61] and Inukshuk Enterprises, a general contractor, who also operate a service garage[62]

There are three taxi services, one run by the Co-op, Go Cargo Taxi and Wolf Tracks Taxi.[63] There is a modern health centre in the community that opened in 2005 and in 2010 the birthing centre was opened.[64] There is a RCMP detachment in Cambridge Bay and the Kitikmeot Law Centre has its offices in the community.[65][66] There are two hotels, the Arctic Islands Lodge, run by the Co-op and the Green Row operated by Inukshuk Enterprises.[67][68]

Phone service is provided by Northwestel and with their subsidiary Latitude Wireless the also handle cell phone coverage.[69][70] Buildings in Cambridge Bay, like in most Nunavut communities, have a water and sewage tank indoors that require regular services. These services along with garbage pick-up are done by the Hamlet.[71]

Media

Radio

In addition to a community radio station, Cambridge Bay is served by two CBC Radio One transmitters, rebroadcasting the stations from both Iqaluit and Inuvik, Northwest Territories.

Television

Cable television is available from the local Co-op[55] and satellite television from either Shaw Direct or Bell TV.

Internet services

Transportation

DAL Aviation de Havilland Beaver

Although Cambridge Bay lies on the Northwest Passage there are no passenger ships other than tourist cruises. Northern Transportation Company Limited, owned by NorTerra, and Nunavut Sealink and Supply, owned by Arctic Co-operatives Limited, provide annual sealift to the community.[78][79]

The only passenger services are through the Cambridge Bay Airport from which daily air service to the south, Yellowknife, and to the other Kitikmeot Region communities with Canadian North or First Air.[80][81]

Charter and MEDIVAC (air ambulance) services are provided by the locally based Adlair Aviation.[82] In the summer floatplane charters are provided by DAL Aviation from the Cambridge Bay Water Aerodrome.[83]

Climate

Cambridge Bay has a Polar climate, no month having an average temperature of 10 °C (50 °F) or higher, and is listed as Group E on the Köppen climate classification.[84]

Climate data for Cambridge Bay Airport
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high humidex −5 −9.7 −5.6 3.9 10.5 25.3 30.8 28.6 16.3 5.8 −1.4 −5 30.8
Record high °C (°F) 7.8
(46.0)
−9.4
(15.1)
−6.1
(21.0)
6.2
(43.2)
13.0
(55.4)
23.3
(73.9)
28.9
(84.0)
26.1
(79.0)
15.6
(60.1)
6.9
(44.4)
0.0
(32.0)
−4.8
(23.4)
28.9
(84.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −29.3
(−20.7)
−29.3
(−20.7)
−25.7
(−14.3)
−16.7
(1.9)
−5.3
(22.5)
5.6
(42.1)
12.3
(54.1)
9.4
(48.9)
1.9
(35.4)
−8.1
(17.4)
−19.3
(−2.7)
−26.1
(−15.0)
−10.9
(12.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) −32.8
(−27.0)
−33.0
(−27.4)
−29.7
(−21.5)
−21.4
(−6.5)
−9.2
(15.4)
2.4
(36.3)
8.4
(47.1)
6.4
(43.5)
−0.3
(31.5)
−11.5
(11.3)
−23.0
(−9.4)
−29.6
(−21.3)
−14.4
(6.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −36.3
(−33.3)
−36.6
(−33.9)
−33.7
(−28.7)
−26.0
(−14.8)
−13.0
(8.6)
−0.8
(30.6)
4.6
(40.3)
3.4
(38.1)
−2.5
(27.5)
−14.9
(5.2)
−26.5
(−15.7)
−33.0
(−27.4)
−18.0
(−0.4)
Record low °C (°F) −52.8
(−63.0)
−50.6
(−59.1)
−48.3
(−54.9)
−42.8
(−45.0)
−35.0
(−31.0)
−17.8
(0.0)
−1.7
(28.9)
−8.9
(16.0)
−17.2
(1.0)
−33.0
(−27.4)
−42.2
(−44.0)
−49.4
(−56.9)
−52.8
(−63.0)
Record low wind chill −73.4 −72.6 −69.8 −60.1 −43.2 −29.2 −7.9 −13.1 −28.6 −49.4 −60.7 −66.3 −73.4
Average precipitation mm (inches) 4.6
(0.18)
5.1
(0.20)
6.0
(0.24)
6.5
(0.26)
9.4
(0.37)
12.5
(0.49)
21.7
(0.85)
26.7
(1.05)
19.3
(0.76)
14.6
(0.57)
7.2
(0.28)
5.3
(0.21)
138.8
(5.46)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.1
(0.00)
1.6
(0.06)
9.8
(0.39)
21.7
(0.85)
24.5
(0.96)
11.4
(0.45)
0.4
(0.02)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
69.6
(2.74)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 5.6
(2.2)
6.4
(2.5)
7.4
(2.9)
7.5
(3.0)
9.3
(3.7)
2.8
(1.1)
0.0
(0.0)
2.2
(0.9)
8.9
(3.5)
16.2
(6.4)
9.3
(3.7)
6.3
(2.5)
82.1
(32.3)
Average precipitation days 6.3 6.5 7.3 6.6 7.8 6.8 10.2 13.1 12.2 11.8 8.4 7.2 104.1
Average rainy days 0.03 0 0 0.03 1.1 5.1 10.1 12.1 7.1 0.45 0.03 0 36.0
Average snowy days 6.5 6.8 8.1 7.2 8 2.5 0.07 1.6 6.8 12.5 9.1 7.7 76.8
Mean monthly sunshine hours 0 66.3 174.3 268.1 250.8 300.6 328.8 189.2 71.1 55.6 14.9 0 1,719.7
Source 1: Environment Canada[84]
Source 2: Environment Canada[85]
  • ^1 Sun below the horizon, polar night, from 30 November to 11 January and above the horizon, midnight sun, 19 May to 22 July.[86]

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ^ Hamlets elect new councils
  2. ^ Election Results - 2008 General Election
  3. ^ a b c d e f "2006 Community Profiles". Retrieved 2007-06-08.
  4. ^ a b c "Population and dwelling counts for Urban Area (2006 Census)". Statistics Canada. March 2007. Retrieved 2008-02-17.
  5. ^ Elevation at airport. Canada Flight Supplement. Effective 0901Z 16 July 2020 to 0901Z 10 September 2020.
  6. ^ Office of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut - PDF Dialect Map
  7. ^ Office of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut - Writing systems
  8. ^ Cambridge Bay hosts 4 Northwest Passage-bound yachts
  9. ^ "TP 14202 E: Interpretation". Transport Canada. November 27, 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-18.
  10. ^ Rob Huebert (Winter 2001). "Climate Change and Canadian Sovereignty in the Northwest Passage". ISUMA: 86–94. Archived from the original on 2002-01-31. Retrieved 2008-01-13. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  11. ^ Pharand, D. (1984). The Northwest Passage: Arctic Straits. Martinus Nijhoff Publishers. p. 14. ISBN 9024729793. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ a b c Cambridge bay, Nunavut at Kitikmeot School Operations
  13. ^ "Society-COPPER-ESKIMO". ukc.ac.uk. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  14. ^ Arctic Archipelago
  15. ^ Cambridge Bay at the Nunavut Planning Commission
  16. ^ Tologanak, Navalik (2007-08-20). "Traditional names still remain". Northern News Services Online. Retrieved 2008-01-24.
  17. ^ Cambridge Bay Arctic Char
  18. ^ a b Iqaluktuurmiutat: Life at Iqaluktuuq
  19. ^ Collinson, Richard (1889). Journal of H.M.S. Enterprise, on the expedition in search of Sir John Franklin's ships by Behring Strait, 1850-55. London: Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington. pp. 286–288. OCLC 22079420. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ Ovayok at Nunavut Parks
  21. ^ "2001 Community Profiles". Retrieved 2010-07-05.
  22. ^ 2006 Aboriginal Population Profile
  23. ^ Pre-Dorset — 1800 to 500 BC
  24. ^ Early/Middle Dorset - 500 BC to 800 AD
  25. ^ a b Late Dorset - 800 AD to 1250 AD
  26. ^ 101. Nunavut Handbook, Qaummaarviit Historic Park
  27. ^ Thule Inuit - 1250 AD to 1500 AD
  28. ^ Modern Inuit - 1500 AD to Today
  29. ^ "The Copper Inuit (Ulukhaktokmiut) of Holman". The Ohio State University. 2007-11-26. Retrieved 2008-08-24.
  30. ^ DNA tests debunk blond Inuit legend
  31. ^ Kitikmeot Regional Groups
  32. ^ a b c d e f g Bringing our Past into the Future
  33. ^ a b Cambridge Bay at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
  34. ^ a b Landmark church burns in Nunavut
  35. ^ Hamlet of Cambridge Bay By-Law #96
  36. ^ The DEW Line
  37. ^ Arctic Trip - North Warning System
  38. ^ The 1982 Plebiscite on Division of the Northwest Territories: Regional Government and Federal Policy
  39. ^ Stephen Harper announces the new defence policy put forward by the Conservative Party of Canada – Pt 5, Canadian American Strategic Review, December 22, 2005.
  40. ^ http://web.arcticportal.org/iasc/news
  41. ^ http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20100823/harper-arctic-nunavut-100824//
  42. ^ Daycare
  43. ^ Kitikmeot Heritage Society
  44. ^ Kitikmeot Campus
  45. ^ Programs and Courses
  46. ^ Nunavut Teacher Education Program
  47. ^ Kitikmeot Inuit Association
  48. ^ Nunavut Impact Review Board
  49. ^ Nunavut Planning Commission
  50. ^ NTI - Lands and Resources Department
  51. ^ St. George's Cambridge Bay (Ikaluktutiak), NU Diocese of the Arctic
  52. ^ Parishes and Missions under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Mackenzie - Fort Smith
  53. ^ Churches & Religious
  54. ^ Restaurants
  55. ^ a b Ikaluktutiak Co-operative Limited
  56. ^ Bank
  57. ^ Post Office
  58. ^ Jago Services Incorporated
  59. ^ Kitnuna
  60. ^ Kalvik Enterprises
  61. ^ Nanook Woodworking
  62. ^ Inukshuk Enterprises
  63. ^ Northwestel phone book
  64. ^ Cambridge Bay celebrates birth, closer to home
  65. ^ Police
  66. ^ Legal
  67. ^ Arctic Islands Lodge Inns North Hotel
  68. ^ Green Row Executive Suites
  69. ^ Northwestel
  70. ^ Latitude Wireless
  71. ^ Municipal services
  72. ^ CFBI-FM in the REC Canadian station database
  73. ^ CFFB in the REC Canadian station database
  74. ^ CHAK in the REC Canadian station database
  75. ^ CFFB-TV in the REC Canadian station database
  76. ^ Polarnet
  77. ^ Netkaster
  78. ^ Norterra
  79. ^ Nunavut Sealink and Supply
  80. ^ Canadian North
  81. ^ First Air
  82. ^ Adlair Aviation
  83. ^ DAL Aviation at the High Arctic Lodge
  84. ^ a b "Canadian Climate Normals 1971-2000". Environment Canada. Retrieved 2009-12-09.
  85. ^ "Calculation Information for 1971 to 2000 Canadian Normals Data". Environment Canada. Retrieved 2009-12-09.
  86. ^ Sunrise/Sunset/Sun Angle Calculator at the National Research Council (Canada)
  87. ^ Introducing Stephen Angulalik
  88. ^ a b c Nunavut Votes 2004 Cambridge Bay Profile
  89. ^ William L. Lyall, C.M.
  90. ^ The Lyalls of Taloyoak
  91. ^ Helen Mamayaok Maksagak, C.M., LL.D.
  92. ^ Red Pedersen
  93. ^ Cambridge Bay
  94. ^ Legislative Assembly of Nunavut - Members
  95. ^ "Tanya Tagaq Gillis". Centre for Contemporary Canadian Art-Centre de l'art contemporain canadien. Retrieved 2009-10-13.
  96. ^ Nunavut - 2003
  97. ^ Photos from the 2005 Folk on the Rocks Festival
  98. ^ Folk on the Rocks 2010 lineup
  99. ^ Tanya ‘Tagaq’ Gillis & Celina Kalluk

Further reading

  • 2007. "Mosaic - Snow Sprints in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut - Photography by Finn O'Hara". Canadian Geographic. 127, no. 2: 100.
  • Barlishen, W. J., and T. N. Webber. A History of the Development of Commercial Fishing in the Cambridge Bay Area of the Northwest Territories. 1973.
  • Canada. Cambridge Bay. Ottawa: Environment Canada, Atmospheric Environment Service, 1984. ISBN 066052564X
  • Canada Centre for Mineral and Energy Technology, and Resource Ventures Incorporated. Cambridge Bay Wind Farm. [Ottawa]: The Branch, 1997.
  • Gajda, Roman. Terrain and Site Analysis of Cambridge Bay, N.W.T. Ottawa: Dept. of Mines and Technical Surveys, Geographical Branch, 1962.
  • Hill, Steven Grant. Ethnography of Inuit Elderly in a Present Day Arctic Settlement, Cambridge Bay, N.W.T. Ottawa: National Library of Canada, 1990. ISBN 0315515651