The Community Story By By the the early early 1900s 1900s the the whalers whalers were were followed by traders, and in turn by followed by traders, and in turn by missionaries missionaries and and then then doctors, doctors, nurses, nurses, teachers and government teachers and government administrators. administrators. They They provided provided the the services services which which attracted attracted the the Inuit. Inuit. Chesterfield Chesterfield Inlet Inlet grew grew into into the the major major centre centre north north of of Churchill, Churchill, Manitoba, Manitoba, serving serving as as aa trans-shipment trans-shipment point point for for supplies supplies for for other other Hudson’s Hudson’s Bay Bay Company Company posts. posts. As As the the largest largest Roman Roman Catholic Catholic mission mission inin the the area, area, Chesterfield Chesterfield Inlet Inlet was was known known as as aa medical medical and and education education centre. centre. ABOVE ABOVEinterior interiorofofaadouble doubleigloo, igloo,Fullerton Fullertonharbour harbour--RCMP RCMP historical historicalCollections, Collections,P-164/41. P-164/41. LEFT LEFTthe thesteamer steamerArctic Arcticoverwintering overwinteringininthe theice iceatatFullerton Fullerton harbour harbour--ggMoodie, Moodie,RCMP RCMPhistorical historicalCollections CollectionsP-164/19 P-164/19
The The opening opening of of aa nickel nickel mine mine inin Rankin Rankin Inlet Inlet inin the the mid-1950s mid-1950s almost almost spelled spelled the the end end of of Chesterfield Chesterfield Inlet. Inlet. The The Hudson’s Hudson’s Bay Bay Company Company post post closed closed from from July July 31, 31, 1961 to March 9, 1964. Many people 1961 to March 9, 1964. Many people left left for for employment employment at at the the new new mine, mine, but but when when the the mine mine closed, closed, some some families families returned returned to to Chesterfield Inlet. Br R. Bedard operated Chesterfield Inlet. Br R. Bedard operated the the trading trading post post while while the the Bay Bay was was closed. closed. In In 1976, 1976, the the Department Department of of Fisheries Fisheries and and Oceans Oceans (then (then Fisheries Fisheries and and Marine Marine Service) Service) Canada Canada established established aa research research centre centre at at Saqvaqjuaq Saqvaqjuaq Inlet Inlet about about 40 40 km km northeast northeast
AA Journey Journey Through Through Time Time
of of Chesterfield Chesterfield Inlet Inlet inin response response to to the the need for more detailed knowledge of need for more detailed knowledge of arctic arctic freshwater freshwater ecosystems. ecosystems. The The research research centre centre was was inin operation operation for for over over eight eight years. years. The The mouth mouth of of the the Saqvaqjuaq Saqvaqjuaq River River was was well well used used inin the the past. past. Remains Remains of of aa saputit saputit (stone (stone weir) weir) used used as as recently recently as as the the 1960s, 1960s, can can be be seen seen at at the the head head of of the the first first rapids. rapids. On On the the northeast northeast side side of of the the river river mouth, mouth, there there are are numerous numerous caches, caches, tent tent rings, rings, and and kayak kayak stands stands and and on on the the southwest southwest side side there there are are several several semi-underground semi-underground winter winter dwellings dwellings dug dug into into aa sandy sandy hillside. hillside. Tent Tent rings rings are are found found everywhere everywhere inin the the Saqvaqjuaq Saqvaqjuaq area. area. However, However, Inuit Inuit have have not not lived lived there there permanently permanently for for several several decades. decades. Today Today itit isis visited visited only only for for aa few few days days at at aa time time by by hunters hunters and and families families fishing. fishing. Today, Today, Rankin Rankin Inlet Inlet isis the the main main administrative centre in administrative centre in the the Kivalliq Kivalliq region. region. Chesterfield Chesterfield Inlet Inlet continues continues as as aa small small but but well well serviced serviced community community with with wage wage employment employment available available with with the the municipal municipal and and territorial territorial government, government, Inuit Inuit organizations, organizations, Northern Northern Store, Store, Pitsiulak Pitsiulak Co-operative Co-operative Ltd., Ltd., Naja Naja Isabelle Isabelle Home Home and and local local businesses. businesses.
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