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