Iqaluit is the Capital City of Canada’s newest territory, Nunavut, created in 1999 after many years of negotiations between the Government of Canada and the Inuit of the Nunavut area. The boundaries of Nunavut are based on the largest aboriginal land claim in history – an area of almost 2 million square kilometers. As Capital of Nunavut, Iqaluit houses the Legislative Assembly and many Government of Nunavut offices. We also have responsibility for representing all 28 communities in Nunavut, the 28,000 people and diverse cultures of the territory, not just our 6,000 residents.
We enjoy a life here that combines the rich traditions of the past and the conveniences of modern technology. Iqaluit’s diversity makes us unique among cities, with a very young population, a majority of which are Inuit but with a significant Francophone resident base as well. When you fly into Iqaluit on one of the several flights a day, you may see some of us traveling on the bay by dog team (if in winter of course) or in kayaks in summer, as we have for thousands of years. You can research your visit on the internet as you are now and communicate with us by e-mail. When you get here, make sure to order caribou or arctic char at one of our local restaurants.
Iqaluit (formerly Frobisher Bay) is Inuktitut for 'place of many fish', it is located near the mouth of the Sylvia Grinnell River that empties into Frobisher Bay - named after Martin Frobisher who sailed into the bay in search of the Northwest Passage.
Frobisher believed that he had discovered gold on an island in the bay, but it was only fools gold that he took home to England.
Iqaluit Nunavut
Iqaluit is the Capital City of Canada’s newest territory, Nunavut, created in 1999 after many years of negotiations between the Government of Canada and the Inuit of the Nunavut area. The boundaries of Nunavut are based on the largest aboriginal land claim in history – an area of almost 2 million square kilometers. As Capital of Nunavut, Iqaluit houses the Legislative Assembly and many Government of Nunavut offices. We also have responsibility for representing all 28 communities in Nunavut, the 28,000 people and diverse cultures of the territory, not just our 6,000 residents.
We enjoy a life here that combines the rich traditions of the past and the conveniences of modern technology. Iqaluit’s diversity makes us unique among cities, with a very young population, a majority of which are Inuit but with a significant Francophone resident base as well. When you fly into Iqaluit on one of the several flights a day, you may see some of us traveling on the bay by dog team (if in winter of course) or in kayaks in summer, as we have for thousands of years. You can research your visit on the internet as you are now and communicate with us by e-mail. When you get here, make sure to order caribou or arctic char at one of our local restaurants.
I’m sure you will enjoy your visit to Iqaluit regardless of whether it’s for business or pleasure, or to consider employment in our Capital City. There are a variety of special places that you should be sure to include in your touring – the Unikkaarviik Regional Visitors’ Centre, the Nunatta Sunaguttangit Museum, the Nunavut Legislative Assembly Building , The Nunavut Arctic College Arts and Crafts Centre. If you’d like to take something with you as a reminder from Iqaluit or Nunavut, there is a wide range of retail outlets with books, arts and crafts, and souvenirs where you are sure to find the perfect item.
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