30 Chesterfield Inlet Development Corp. Chesterfield Inlet Development Corp

The Victor Sammurtok School - CEDO, October 2005 The Victor Sammurtok School - CEDO, October 2005

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Many of the older buildings at this end Many of the older buildings at this end of the community were used by the of the community were used by the federal government and included a federal government and included a weather station (50), research facilities weather station (50), research facilities and communications facilities. One small and communications facilities. One small four-man party that lived here during four-man party that lived here during 1932-33 provided Canada’s contribution 1932-33 provided Canada’s contribution to worldwide research being carried out to worldwide research being carried out in the Second International Polar Year. in the Second International Polar Year. Research done in Chesterfield Inlet in the Research done in Chesterfield Inlet in the magnetic hut that year later led to the magnetic hut that year later led to the determination of the altitude of the aurora, determination of the altitude of the aurora, or northern lights. The magnetic hut had or northern lights. The magnetic hut had Across from the school are two large buildings established in the 1950s by the federal Department of Transport, mainly as residences for staff and visitors (15). Two of the DOT buildings were demolished in the 1980s. The Government of Canada had a fairly large presence in Chesterfield Inlet from the 1920s to the 1960s. There was short lived DEW line Across from the school are two large buildings established in the 1950s by the federal Department of Transport, mainly as residences for staff and visitors (15). Two of the DOT buildings were demolished in the 1980s. The Government of Canada had a fairly large presence in Chesterfield Inlet from the 1920s to the 1960s. There was short lived DEW line no windows and very small doors (to preserve heat). Their hut was the object of much curiosity, wrote Balfour W. Currie in 1932. “…[No one can] understand how [we] can work with the stars in a place without windows.” Meteorological records were kept at Chesterfield Inlet by the Department of Transport and Environment Canada from 1932 through 1980. no windows and very small doors (to preserve heat). Their hut was the object of much curiosity, wrote Balfour W. Currie in 1932. “…[No one can] understand how [we] can work with the stars in a place without windows.” Meteorological records were kept at Chesterfield Inlet by the Department of Transport and Environment Canada from 1932 through 1980. activity in the settlement as well, but in the late 1960s and early 1970s, most of the government administration was assumed by the territorial government. activity in the settlement as well, but in the late 1960s and early 1970s, most of the government administration was assumed by the territorial government. A small grey house on the beach side, at one time a residence for the NWT Power Corporation, has also housed the first radio station in the region (17), operated by the Canadian Corps of Signals in the late 1940s A small grey house on the beach side, at one time a residence for the NWT Power Corporation, has also housed the first radio station in the region (17), operated by the Canadian Corps of Signals in the late 1940s