Coral Harbour, known as Salliq in Inuktitut, is a small Inuit community on Southampton Island in the Kivalliq Region of Nunavut, Canada. The hamlet, which had a population of 1,035 as of the 2021 census, is situated at the head of South Bay.

 

The community's name derives from the fossilized coral around its waters. Coral Harbour has long served as a strategic point on the northern rim of Hudson Bay, with a history stretching from the earliest Inuit hunters to Scottish whalers, Hudson's Bay fur traders, and the military.

 

Coral Harbour is accessible only by air at its airport or by water. Every summer, resupply barges arrive from Churchill, Manitoba, the East Coast, and the St. Lawrence area. 

 

The island, which is nearly the same size as Switzerland, is primarily travelled by snowmobile, dog sled, and all-terrain vehicle in winter and summer.

 

Despite its harsh subarctic climate, Southampton Island has abundant wildlife, including walruses, polar bears, barren-ground caribou, ringed seals, gyrfalcons, and peregrine falcons. The coastal waters are known for their Arctic char fishing.

 

Coral Harbour is the only Nunavut community that does not observe daylight saving time, remaining on Eastern Standard Time year-round. Since 2005, the community has served the Qiniq network, a fixed wireless service connecting to the outside world via satellite.

 

History of Coral Harbour, Nunavut, Canada

Coral Harbour, known as Salliq in Inuktitut, has a long history as an Inuit settlement on Southampton Island in northern Canada. The Sadlermiut initially inhabited the area, considered the last vestige of the Paleo-Eskimo Dorset or Tuniit culture. However, due to illness, the Sadlermiut went extinct in 1902-03.

 

The area was later repopulated by the Aivilingmiut people from the Naujaat and Chesterfield Inlet areas, influenced by whaler Captain George Comer and others. Baffin Islanders also arrived 25 years later.

 

The modern community of Coral Harbour was established in 1924 when the Hudson's Bay Company opened a trading post there. 

 

During World War II, the United States military constructed an airfield and facilities in Coral Harbour, which became part of the northern route to deliver fighter aircraft to Europe. The site was later used for military training and a weather station and is now the municipal airport.

 

In the 1950s and 1960s, the Canadian federal government built a school, nursing station, government buildings, and houses in Coral Harbour. The community was incorporated as a hamlet in 1972 and has grown rapidly in the last 50 years due to significant construction and service expansion.

 

Geography of Coral Harbour, Nunavut, Canada

Coral Harbour is located on the southern shore of Southampton Island in the Kivalliq Region of Nunavut, Canada. The hamlet sits at the head of South Bay on the northern rim of Hudson Bay. Its Inuktitut name, Salliq, means "large flat island in front of the mainland."

 

Southampton Island, which is nearly the same size as Switzerland, is a large, flat island with an area of 42,146 km2. The island's terrain is characterized by wooded areas, landform features, saturated soil, and a long shoreline. Coral Harbour itself has a land area of 126.39 km2.

 

The community's name refers to the fossilized coral found around its waters. The nearby Coates Island is a resting place for colonies of walruses. Two bird sanctuaries, the East Bay Migratory Bird Sanctuary and the Harry Gibbons Migratory Bird Sanctuary, are located in the area and are popular with birdwatchers.

 

Despite its harsh subarctic climate, Southampton Island has abundant wildlife, including polar bears, barren-ground caribou, ringed seals, gyrfalcons, and peregrine falcons. The coastal waters are known for their Arctic char fishing.

 

Demographics of Coral Harbour, Nunavut, Canada

The current population of Coral Harbour is approximately 1,035 as of the 2021 census, with a population density of 8.2 people per square kilometre. The population has grown steadily over the past few decades, increasing by 16.2% from 2016 to 2021.

 

Around 95% of the residents identify as Inuit. The median age in Coral Harbour is 22.2, which is younger than the national average of 27.0. The male-to-female ratio is close to 1:1.

 

Coral Harbour has a high proportion of families with children, with 62% of households having kids at home, compared to the national average of 54%. The community also has a higher rate of married couples, at 43%, compared to 35% nationally.

 

Coral Harbour is the only Nunavut community that does not observe daylight saving time. It remains on Eastern Standard Time year-round.

 

Economy of Coral Harbour, Nunavut, Canada

Coral Harbour, Nunavut's economy, is heavily dependent on government transfers, which provide around 90% of the community's total income.  

 

Private sector employment accounts for only about 23% of the total, with the dominant commercial enterprise being the general retail store operated by the Hudson's Bay Company. 

 

Outside interests, such as airlines and construction companies, own other important businesses in Coral Harbour. Small businesses owned and operated by residents are just beginning to emerge, focused on areas like accommodation and outfitting. 

 

Unemployment has remained high in Coral Harbour, with around 36% of the labour force unemployed and 19% underemployed as of 1986. The community considers the lack of jobs the most pressing issue. 

 

The average income per capita is around $6,000, which does not account for the value of country foods obtained through hunting and trapping. 

 

Coral Harbour's economy relies heavily on government funding and transfers, with a small private sector and declining traditional activities. Generating more local employment opportunities is a key priority for the community. 

 

Education in Coral Harbour, Nunavut, Canada

Coral Harbour has one school, Sakku School, which provides kindergarten to grade 12 education. The Canadian federal government built the school in the 1950s as part of the community's development.

 

Sakku School follows the curriculum set by the Government of Nunavut's Department of Education. Instruction is provided in both Inuktitut and English. The school aims to incorporate Inuit culture, language, and traditional knowledge into the educational programming.

 

In addition to the standard academic subjects, Sakku School offers courses and activities focused on traditional Inuit skills and knowledge, such as hunting, fishing, sewing, and survival skills. This helps students maintain their cultural heritage and prepare for life in the North.

 

The school also serves as a community hub, hosting various events and programs for residents of all ages. It offers adult education and vocational training opportunities.

 

Coral Harbour's education centers on providing a well-rounded learning experience that balances academic subjects with Inuit traditional knowledge and skills. The goal is to equip students with the tools they need to succeed in and out of the classroom.

 

Transport System in Coral Harbour, Nunavut, Canada

Coral Harbour is only accessible by air or water, as no roads connect it to other communities. The main modes of transportation within the community are:

• Air: Coral Harbour has an airport, Coral Harbour Airport, which is the primary way to access the community. Flights connect Coral Harbour to other communities in Nunavut and southern Canada.
• Water: Resupply barges arrive in Coral Harbour every summer from Churchill, Manitoba and the East Coast/St. Lawrence area. However, these barges do not carry passengers.
• Snowmobile and dog sled: In the winter, snowmobiles and dog sleds are the main means of transportation on the island, which is nearly the size of Switzerland.
• All-terrain vehicles (ATVs): During the summer, ATVs are used for transportation around the island.

 

No roads or highways connect Coral Harbour to other communities on Southampton Island or the mainland. The only way to reach the hamlet is by air or seasonal resupply barges. Once in Coral Harbour, residents rely on snowmobiles, dog sleds, and ATVs to get around the large, remote island.

 

Living in Coral Harbour, Nunavut, Canada

Coral Harbour is a small Inuit community of around 1,035 people (as of 2021) located on Southampton Island in northern Canada. It is only accessible by air or seasonal resupply barges and has no road connections to other areas.

 

Coral Harbour's main modes of transportation are snowmobiles and dog sleds in winter and all-terrain vehicles in summer. An airport provides flights to other communities in Nunavut and southern Canada.

 

The economy heavily depends on government transfers, with limited private-sector employment. Traditional activities like hunting, trapping, and harvesting country foods still play a significant role, providing residents with nearly half the food intake.

 

Education is provided at Sakku School, which teaches the Nunavut curriculum in both Inuktitut and English. The school also incorporates Inuit culture, language, and traditional skills into the programming.

 

Coral Harbour has a harsh subarctic climate, with long, cold winters and short, cool summers. Temperatures can range from around -50°C in winter to 24°C in the warmest summer months. The community is known for its abundant wildlife, including polar bears, caribou, seals, and migratory birds.

 

Overall, life in Coral Harbour revolves around the community's Inuit heritage, reliance on traditional activities, and adaptation to the challenging Arctic environment. The remote location and lack of road access present unique logistical challenges for residents.

 

Healthcare in Coral Harbour, Nunavut, Canada

Coral Harbour has a health centre that provides basic medical services to the community. However, the current facility needs to be bigger to meet the population's needs.

 

Nunavut's Health Minister John Main acknowledged that the health centre in Coral Harbour is not the right size for the community, stating, "People feel unsafe." This suggests that the health centre is overcrowded and lacks adequate space to serve residents properly.

 

The health centre likely offers primary care, emergency services, and some diagnostic testing. However, for more advanced medical needs, residents likely must travel to larger Nunavut or southern Canada centres. The nearest major hospital would be in Rankin Inlet, about 300 km away.

 

Challenges in providing healthcare in Coral Harbour include the remote location, limited infrastructure, and high costs of transporting patients and supplies. Recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals in the North can also be difficult.

 

While Coral Harbour has a health centre, the facility is undersized and lacks resources compared to the community's healthcare needs. Improving and expanding the health centre is likely a priority for the hamlet and Nunavut government.

 

Tourist Places in Coral Harbour, Nunavut, Canada

Here are the key tourist places and attractions in Coral Harbour, Nunavut, Canada:

 

Parks and Nature Reserves

• Fossil Creek Trail: This area has the best assortment of fossils in Nunavut, containing petrified remains of creatures that lived 450 million years ago. Visitors can participate in the "Great Fossil Hunt" to find fossils.
• Harry Gibbons Migratory Bird Sanctuary: A 1,224 sq km sanctuary that protects tundra and tidal habitat for many Arctic bird species.
• East Bay Migratory Bird Sanctuary: A 1,138 sq km sanctuary that provides habitat for dozens of bird species, including Arctic terns, plovers, gulls, and geese.

 

Wildlife Viewing

• Coats Island: A nearby island that is a resting place for colonies of walruses. Local outfitters offer boating excursions to view the walruses and polar bears.
• The waters around Coral Harbour are home to large populations of polar bears, caribou, beluga whales, and seals that can be viewed with the help of local guides.

 

Cultural Sites

• Sallirmiut Archaeological Site: Also known as the "Lost City of the North," this sacred archaeological site is the site of the Sallirmiut people, the last descendants of the Tuniit (Dorset) culture.

 

Coral Harbour is an excellent eco-tourism destination. It offers opportunities to view abundant Arctic wildlife and explore the region's unique geological and cultural heritage. The community's remote location and accessibility by air and water make it appealing to adventurous travellers.

 

Local Food in Coral Harbour, Nunavut, Canada

Coral Harbour, Nunavut, has a strong local food harvesting and consumption tradition. Here are some key points about local food in the community:

 

Traditional hunting, fishing, and gathering activities are still very important for food security in Coral Harbour. Residents rely on country foods like caribou, seal, fish, and birds for nearly half their food intake.

 

The coastal waters around Southampton Island provide excellent Arctic char fishing. Near the community, there are several excellent spots to fish for char.

 

Walruses and polar bears are abundant in the area, and local outfitters offer boating excursions to view them. Walrus meat is a traditional food source.

 

Caribou are found in large herds on Southampton Island. Hunting caribou is an important cultural activity and food source for Inuit in Coral Harbour.

 

The Katudgevik Co-Op is the main grocery store in the community, providing a mix of traditional country foods and imported southern foods. The Northern Store is another grocery option.

 

Yummy Shawarma is a popular restaurant known for its Middle Eastern cuisine in nearby Iqaluit, but it is over 300 km away from Coral Harbour.

 

Overall, country foods harvested through hunting, fishing and gathering remain a dietary staple in Coral Harbour, supplemented by foods available at the local co-op and Northern Store. The community's isolation and reliance on traditional activities have fostered a strong local food culture.

 

You can also check the information regarding Cambridge Bay, Nunavut