Iqaluit Attractions
For many years the gateway to Baffin Island at the end of Frobisher Bay was frequented by whalers, scientists, traders and missionaries, but only in 1942, when it was a U.S. military airfield, did it grow in size. In the years 1955-58 Frobisher Bay was extended as part of the "Distant Early Warning Line". In 1986 the Inuit name of Iqaluit - meaning "many fish" - was again made official.
Now the service and administrative center of the Baffin Region, Iqaluit is a modern town with a complete infrastructure of hotels, schools, hospital, weather and radio station and camping-site. The tourist will find all he needs in the way of equipment and guides, etc., while the range of goods available, such as jewelry, carvings, parkas, is excellent.
The most important event held here is Toonik Tyme in the third week in April, a festival with competitions and entertainment, such as beard-growing competitions, igloo-building, dog and snowmobile races, tea-making, traditional singing and dancing. This event celebrates the end of winter and is in honor of the Tooniks, the legendary strong little ancestors of the Inuit. The culmination is the "coronation" of Mr Toonik, who arrives on a dog-sleigh to open the festivities.
Iqaluit is the capital of Nunavut.
Now the service and administrative center of the Baffin Region, Iqaluit is a modern town with a complete infrastructure of hotels, schools, hospital, weather and radio station and camping-site. The tourist will find all he needs in the way of equipment and guides, etc., while the range of goods available, such as jewelry, carvings, parkas, is excellent.
The most important event held here is Toonik Tyme in the third week in April, a festival with competitions and entertainment, such as beard-growing competitions, igloo-building, dog and snowmobile races, tea-making, traditional singing and dancing. This event celebrates the end of winter and is in honor of the Tooniks, the legendary strong little ancestors of the Inuit. The culmination is the "coronation" of Mr Toonik, who arrives on a dog-sleigh to open the festivities.
Iqaluit is the capital of Nunavut.
Nunatta Sunaqutangit Museum
No. 212 near the beach, a restored Hudson's Bay Company building, contains the local museum known as Nunatta Sunaqutangit ("Things of the Country").
The museum focuses on Inuit culture of the Baffin region.
The museum focuses on Inuit culture of the Baffin region.
Qaummaarviit Territorial Historic Park
Qaummaarviit Territorial Historic Park, once home to the Thule People, is located on an island and accessible by ski, dogsled or snowmobile during the winter months, and by boat during the open-water season. Remains of the Thule sod houses and artifacts, dating back over 750 years ago, are available for visitors to discover.
St. Jude's Anglican Cathedral (closed)
St Jude's Anglican Cathedral was built in the shape of an igloo, as a way of fitting into the culture of the Inuit of Northern Canada. Notable features of St Jude's include the cross behind the Altar made of narwhal tusks and the pulpit was constructed from a qamutiq (an Inuit snow sled).
The church was destroyed by fire in November 2005 but the community is working to rebuild this historic church.
The church was destroyed by fire in November 2005 but the community is working to rebuild this historic church.
