Cambridge Bay is a hamlet on Victoria Island in the Kitikmeot Region of Nunavut, Canada. It is the largest settlement on Victoria Island, with a population of around 1,760 as of 2021. The traditional Inuinnaqtun name for the area is Iqaluktuuttiaq, meaning "good fishing place."

 

Cambridge Bay is an important transportation and administrative center for the Kitikmeot Region. It is a major stop for passenger and research vessels traversing the Northwest Passage, a disputed area that Canada claims as internal waters. 

 

The community is home to the Canadian High Arctic Research Station, a multidisciplinary research facility operated by Polar Knowledge Canada.

 

Cambridge Bay offers a variety of activities for visitors, including hiking, fishing, kayaking, and birdwatching. The region is home to Arctic foxes, muskox, caribou, wolverines, and even grizzly and polar bears. 

 

Visitors can also explore the town's heritage and culture at sites like the Heritage Centre, the Visitors Centre, and the restored stone church in Old Town.

 

The local economy is based on traditional activities like hunting and fishing and the processing and sale of Arctic char and muskox through businesses like Kitikmeot Foods. 

 

The community has various accommodation options, including the Arctic Islands Lodge, Green Row Executive Suites, and Enokhok Inn & Suites. 

 

Dining options range from the cafeteria-style Arctic Islands Lodge to local eateries like Salma's Kitchen and the Quick Stop.

 

Cambridge Bay is a vibrant community and an important hub in the Canadian Arctic. It offers visitors a glimpse into the region's rich history, culture, and natural wonders.

 

History of Cambridge Bay, Nunavut

Indigenous peoples inhabited the area around Cambridge Bay for over 4,000 years, including Pre-Dorset, Paleo-Eskimo, Thule, and modern Inuit groups. The traditional Inuinnaqtun name for the area is Ikaluktutiak or Iqaluktuuttiaq, meaning "good fishing place."

 

The first European explorers to reach the area were overland expeditions led by Thomas Simpson in 1839 and John Rae in 1851, searching for the lost Franklin expedition. The first ship to reach Cambridge Bay was under Richard Collinson in 1852-53, also searching for Franklin.

 

A Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) outpost were established in the 1920s, though most Inuit continued a traditional nomadic lifestyle and only visited the area. The HBC opened a trading post in 1921.

 

In the 1950s, a Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line site was established in Cambridge Bay, leading to the hiring of around 200 Inuit to assist in construction. This helped spur more permanent settlement in the community.

 

Cambridge Bay became an administrative center for the Northwest Territories government in 1981 and later transitioned to being part of the new territory of Nunavut when it was created in 1999. Today, it is the administrative and transportation hub for the Kitikmeot Region of Nunavut.

 

Geography of Cambridge Bay, Nunavut

Cambridge Bay is located on the southeast coast of Victoria Island in the Kitikmeot Region of Nunavut, Canada. It sits between Dease Strait and Queen Maud Gulf, making it an important regional transportation and administrative center.

 

The traditional Inuinnaqtun name for the area is Ikaluktutiak or Iqaluktuuttiaq, meaning "good fishing place." The community is close to the Ekalluk River, famous for its large Arctic char. The short section of the river flowing from Ferguson Lake to Wellington Bay is called Iqaluktuuq, meaning "place of big fish."

 

About 37 km (23 mi) west of Cambridge Bay are the Finlayson Islands, which Sir Richard Collinson surveyed during his search for the lost Franklin expedition. To the north of the community is Tahiryuaq (also called Tahikyoak or Ferguson Lake), which flows into Wellington Bay via the Ekalluk River.

 

The surrounding area is characterized by tundra and is home to wildlife such as barren-ground caribou, muskox, Arctic char, lake trout, and ringed seal - all important food sources for the local Inuit. 

 

Ovayok Territorial Park, which includes the large esker known as Uvayuq (formerly Ovayok or Mount Pelly), is situated east of Cambridge Bay.

 

Cambridge Bay's strategic location on the southeast coast of Victoria Island makes it an important transportation and administrative hub in the Canadian Arctic region.

 

Demographics of Cambridge Bay, Nunavut

The key demographics of Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, are:

 

Population: Cambridge Bay's population was around 1,760 as of 2021 census data. The population has grown from around 1,400 in the early 2000s to over 1,900 as of 2023 estimates.

Age: The median age in Cambridge Bay is 31.4, younger than the national median of 27.0. Around 23.6% of the population is under 14, while 15.5% is 65 or older.

Gender: The gender ratio is close to even, with 49.8% male and 50.2% female.

Ethnicity: The majority of the population identifies as Indigenous, with 315 people reporting an Indigenous language as their mother tongue. Around 1,235 residents speak English as their first language.

Immigration: Most residents (around 1,545) were born in Canada, with small numbers born in other parts of the Americas, Europe, and Asia.

 

Cambridge Bay has a relatively young, Indigenous-majority population has seen steady growth as an important administrative and transportation hub in the Canadian Arctic in recent decades.

 

Economy of Cambridge Bay, Nunavut

The economy of Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, is centred around a mix of traditional Inuit activities and modern industries:

 

The traditional Inuit economy of fishing, hunting, and trapping remains an important part of the local economy. The Ekalluk River near Cambridge Bay is famous for its large Arctic char, which are commercially fished and sold through businesses like Kitikmeot Foods.

 

In addition, the community is home to several other businesses and industries:

• The Northern Store is one of the largest employers, with 42 employees, many of whom are Indigenous. The store includes a Quick Stop that sells KFC and Pizza Hut.
• The Ikaluktutiak Co-operative, part of the Arctic Co-operatives Limited network, is another major local business.
• Other businesses include a Royal Bank of Canada branch, a Canada Post office, construction and contracting companies, a convenience store, and a hardware store.
• The Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS) also employs in the community, with 35-50 full-time, part-time, and seasonal jobs expected once it is fully operational.
• The local economy also benefits from Cambridge Bay's role as a transportation and administrative hub for the Kitikmeot Region. It is a major stop for passenger and research vessels traversing the Northwest Passage.

 

Cambridge Bay's economy blends traditional Inuit activities with modern businesses, government services, and research institutions, making it an important center in Canada's Arctic region.

 

Education in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut

Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, offers a range of educational services and opportunities:

 

Schools

• Kullik Ilihakvik Elementary School (K-6) and Kiilinik High School (7-12) provide primary and secondary education in the community.
• Kullik Ilihakvik Elementary is described as a "community hub" where Northerners and Southerners work with parents, elders, and the community to provide early years education.
• The school has support staff, administrators and teachers who create a welcoming student environment. Elders also walk the halls, provide advice, and reinforce expectations with students.

 

Nunavut Arctic College

• The Kitikmeot Campus of Nunavut Arctic College is in Cambridge Bay and oversees the Community Learning Centre.
• Courses range from Adult Basic Education to the Nunavut Teacher Education Program (NTEP), which offers a Bachelor of Education in partnership with the University of Regina.
• The NTEP program prepares Nunavummiut to become classroom teachers in Nunavut schools, focusing on training primary and elementary teachers.

 

Other Programs

• The community also has a public library and museum in the high school.
• The Nunavut Teacher Education Program (NTEP) has a campus in Cambridge Bay as part of its 5-year program locations.
• The Pathway to Adult Secondary School (PASS) program enables adult students to attain their high school diploma through online courses with in-person support from community instructors.

 

Cambridge Bay provides various educational opportunities from elementary to post-secondary, focusing on training local teachers and providing adult education programs. The schools and colleges serve as important community hubs in the hamlet.

 

Transport System in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut

The transport system in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, is centred around air travel and limited road infrastructure:

 

Air Travel:

• Cambridge Bay is served by the Cambridge Bay Airport (YCB), which provides daily air service to Yellowknife and other communities in the Kitikmeot Region.
• The airport is served by Canadian North, which operates flights to and from Yellowknife. Companies like Keewatin Air provide charter and medevac services.

 

Road Transport:

• Cambridge Bay does not have private cars, only snowmobiles, ATVs, SUVs, and trucks. The roads are primarily gravel and mud in the summer and snow-covered in the winter.
• The community has three taxi services: the Co-op, Go Cargo Taxi, and Ziggy's Taxi.
• In the summer, residents can walk across the small town in about 15 minutes but must contend with mud and gravel roads. In winter, walking is done through snow and extreme cold.

 

Marine Transport:

• Although Cambridge Bay is located on the Northwest Passage, there are no regular passenger ship services, only occasional tourist cruise ships.
• Companies like NEAS, Nunavut Sealink and Supply, Arctic Co-operatives Limited, and others provide annual sealift services to deliver goods and supplies to the community.
• In the summer, floatplane charters are available from DAL Aviation at the Cambridge Bay Water Aerodrome.

 

Air travel is the primary mode of transport in and out of Cambridge Bay, supplemented by limited road infrastructure for local travel and seasonal marine sealift services. The community's remote Arctic location relies heavily on air links to the rest of Canada.

 

Living in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut

Here are some key points about living in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut:

 

Climate

Cambridge Bay has a polar climate, with no month's average temperature above 10°C (50°F). Temperatures below freezing are common from October through April. The community experiences 24-hour daylight in summer and 24-hour darkness in winter.

 

Housing

Most housing in Cambridge Bay consists of single-family homes and duplexes. There are limited rental options available. Oil furnaces heat many homes and have running water and sewage disposal.

 

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Cambridge Bay is very high compared to southern Canada. Groceries and other goods must be flown in or brought by annual sealift, resulting in inflated prices. For example, a 4L jug of milk can cost over $10.

 

Transportation

Cambridge Bay has no private cars, only snowmobiles, ATVs, SUVs, and trucks. Roads are primarily gravel and mud in summer and snow-covered in winter. Walking across town takes about 15 minutes in summer, but it can be difficult due to mud and gravel. In winter, walking is done through snow and extreme cold.

 

Economy

The economy is based on traditional Inuit activities like fishing, hunting, and modern industries. Major employers include the Northern Store, Ikaluktutiak Co-op, and the Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS). The community also benefits from its role as a transportation and administrative hub.

 

Education

Cambridge Bay has an elementary school (Kullik Ilihakvik) and a high school (Kiilinik High School). The Kitikmeot Campus of Nunavut Arctic College offers adult education and teacher training programs. The schools serve as important community hubs.

 

Living in Cambridge Bay offers a unique experience of life in the Canadian Arctic, combining traditional and modern elements. The remote location and harsh climate present challenges, but the community maintains a strong Inuit culture and identity.

 

Healthcare in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut

Healthcare in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, is provided primarily through the Kitikmeot Regional Health Centre:

• The Kitikmeot Regional Health Centre, located at 13D Omingmak St. in Cambridge Bay, is the region's main healthcare facility.
• The health centre provides a range of services, including outpatient clinics, emergency care, and support to community health centres in the region. Family physicians staff the facility.
• Patients requiring advanced care are usually referred to Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. In some cases, patients may be transferred directly to Edmonton, Alberta.
• The Cambridge Bay Wellness Centre, located at 13A Omingmak St., is another healthcare facility in the community.
• Cambridge Bay is an important hub for healthcare in the Kitikmeot Region. Family medicine residents and medical students have opportunities to gain experience in rural and remote healthcare in the community.

 

The Kitikmeot Regional Health Centre is the primary provider of healthcare services in Cambridge Bay, with support from the Wellness Centre. The health centre is a regional hub, with physicians caring for the hamlet and surrounding communities.

 

Tourist Places in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut

Here are the key tourist places and attractions in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut:

 

Ovayok Territorial Park:

• The central feature of this park is the large esker known as Ovayok (Mount Pelly). The park offers over 20 km of interpretive trails showcasing the legend of Ovayok, human history, plant life, and wildlife.
• The park is a popular destination for hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing, and visitors can spot muskox, Arctic foxes, and migratory birds.

 

The Maud Shipwreck:

• The wreck of the Maud, explorer Roald Amundsen's schooner, can be seen in the harbour. The Hudson's Bay Company used the ship as a supply and trading vessel before sinking.
• The exposed hull of the Maud has become a landmark in Cambridge Bay.

 

Old Stone Church:

• This restored stone church, built in 1954 using clay and seal oil as mortar, is a historic site in Cambridge Bay's "Old Town" area.

 

Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS):

• This multidisciplinary research facility operated by Polar Knowledge Canada is located in Cambridge Bay and offers tours for visitors.

 

Arctic Coast Visitor Centre:

• This visitor center has interactive displays and resource materials about the region's history, culture, and environment.

 

Kitikmeot Arctic Foods:

• Visitors can tour this facility and purchase locally sourced "country foods" like muskox, caribou, and Arctic char.

 

The top tourist attractions in Cambridge Bay include the natural wonders of Ovayok Territorial Park, historic sites like the Maud shipwreck and Old Stone Church, and research and cultural facilities. The community serves as an important hub for visitors to the Canadian Arctic.

 

Local Food in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut

The local cuisine in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, is heavily influenced by traditional Inuit foods and hunting practices:

 

Arctic Char

The Ekalluk River near Cambridge Bay is famous for its large Arctic char. Char is a staple food that is commercially fished and sold through businesses like Kitikmeot Foods. Visitors can tour the Kitikmeot Arctic Foods facility to purchase locally sourced char and other "country foods."

 

Caribou and Muskox

Caribou and muskox are also important traditional food sources in the region. Families in Cambridge Bay continue to hunt these animals for sustenance and income. During one trip, visitors were invited to observe an authentic caribou hunt, seeing the Elders expertly butcher the animals in the snow.

 

Community Feasts

The community regularly gathers for feasts featuring locally hunted foods like caribou, muskox, and char. During one visit, students from Kiilinik High School and a visiting school group prepared a large community feast under the supervision of local Elders.

 

High Prices

The cost of living in Cambridge Bay is very high, with inflated prices for groceries and other goods that must be flown in or brought by annual sealift. For example, a 4L jug of milk can cost over $10. This makes traditional country foods an important part of the local diet.

 

Arctic char, caribou, and muskox remain central to Cambridge Bay's cuisine and culture. The community regularly comes together to share these traditional foods. Hunting and fishing continue to be important economic and nutritional activities in the region.

 

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