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Arviat, Nunavut

Arviat is a community of approximately 1800 people, the majority being Inuit who speak Inuktitut as their first language. What makes Arviat special is the people and the traditions. What makes it even more special is the strong family relationships. Unlike other communities in the region, Arviatmiuts are working to preserve their language and traditions such as throat singing, drum dancing, Inuit games, carving, doll-making, sewing, and dog mushing. The name "Arviat" comes from the Inuktitut word for "Bow-head Whale" because it is shaped like one.

Most of the men in Arviat hunt to make a living, while the majority of women stay home with the kids. Some women sew wall-hangings, mitts, and kamiks to make money. A lot of people look forward to annual events in Arviat like the Music Festival, Fishing derby, and the Dog-mushing competition. Family get-togethers, Church activities and visiting friends are also popular.

Photo of a Kindergarten Student in Arviat [D]
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A kindergarten student in Arviat

In Arviat, people enjoy eating traditional foods. Among these are raw frozen caribou meat, seal, fish, rabbit, ptarmigan, polar bear, walrus, musk ox, and beluga whale (muktaaq). In the summer, egg-picking and berry-picking is very popular. Cloud berries, blackberries and cranberries are abundant in Arviat.

Photo of Aaruaq with a Student [D]
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Photo of Aaruaq with a student

In ten years from now, the population of Arviat will increase because of Nunavut and the new employees coming in. Tourism will also grow so our Margaret Aniksak Visitor's Centre for tourists may have to expand. The main worry of Arviatmiuts is the threat of losing the unity that makes Arviat special in the face of the many changes that Nunavut will bring.

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Arviat, Nunavut