Rigolet, Nunatsiavut
Rigolet, located in Nunatsiavut, is the southernmost Inuit community in the world with a population of 306. Situated at the entrance of Lake Melville, the community enjoys open waters year-round thanks to the steady tidal flow through the narrows, even in sub-zero temperatures. Renowned for their talented craftspeople, Rigolet is known for handcrafted salt-water grass pieces and authentic seal skin garments. It is also home to North America's longest wooden boardwalk, offering breathtaking views of the Mealy Mountains from its gazebo on clear days. Read more
Makkovik, Nunatsiavut
Makkovik, the most easterly community in Nunatsiavut, is home to approximately 360 people and is rich in culture and talent. Known for their skilled craftspeople and artists, the Makkovik Craft Center offers unique handmade gifts. The community celebrates its vibrant traditions with events like the annual Music Jamboree in March and the Trout Festival in August, featuring games, activities, a Trout Supper, and live entertainment. Visitors can explore the White Elephant Museum to learn about Makkovik's history or enjoy stunning views of icebergs from the community's two boardwalks. Makkovik also boasts an active sports scene, with winter activities like ice hockey and broomball in its arena and summer sports such as volleyball and ball hockey in the local gym. Read more
Iqaluit, Nunavut
Iqaluit, meaning the "Place of Many Fish" is the capital of Nunavut and is uniquely located on the southern tip of Baffin Island, surrounded by the vast Arctic wilderness. Its rugged landscape features rocky hills, expansive tundra, and the icy waters of Frobisher Bay, creating breathtaking scenery. Despite their remote location and harsh climate, Iqaluit thrives as a vibrant northern hub, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and wildlife, including caribou, muskoxen, and Arctic foxes. Read more
Pangnirtung, Nunavut
Pangnirtung, located 50 km south of the Arctic Circle on the northern side of Cumberland Sound, is nestled below the majestic mountains of the Pangnirtung Fiord. Historically significant, the area played a central role in the 19th-century commercial whaling industry, which brought transformative changes to the Inuit way of life. By 1921, Pangnirtung had become a hub for trade, law enforcement, and healthcare with the establishment of a Hudson Bay Company trading post, an RCMP detachment, and St. Luke’s Mission Hospital. The community grew further in 1962 after a distemper epidemic led many Inuit from the region to relocate there. Incorporated as a Hamlet on April 1, 1973, Pangnirtung is now a vibrant community governed by an elected council, supported by committees dedicated to health, safety, and youth. Read more
Inukjuak, Nunavik
Inukjuak, located on the north bank of the Innuksuak River along Hudson Bay, is home to approximately 1,820 people. The area is renowned for its “silent beauty,” with gently rolling hills, open tundra, and breathtaking views of the Hopewell Islands and Hudson Bay. In spring, tides and currents create a dramatic landscape of massive, upraised ice blocks between the islands and the mainland.
Rich in history, Inukjuak features numerous archaeological sites evidencing thousands of years of inhabitation. The community is also celebrated for their artistic heritage, particularly their distinctive carvings from forest-green serpentine stone, depicting everyday Arctic life, legends, and animals in intricate detail. Read more
Kangiqsualujjuaq, Nunavik
Kangiqsualujjuaq, meaning "very large bay," is the easternmost village of Nunavik, located on the George River, 25 km from Ungava Bay. Surrounded by lush vegetation and an imposing granite outcrop, the village is closely tied to the tides, with water receding almost completely at low tide. The area is rich in wildlife, including the George River herd, and offers excellent fishing opportunities, especially at Helen’s Falls. Home to over 500 Inuit, the community speaks Inuktitut and maintains strong traditional practices. Many residents run outfitting camps, guiding visitors for fishing and caribou hunting. Read more
Nuuk, Greenland
Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, is located on the southwest coast at the mouth of the Nuuk Fjord, about 240 km south of the Arctic Circle. With a population of 17,000, it is the largest city in Greenland and continues to grow. The city is set against the dramatic backdrop of the Sermitsiaq mountain and is known for their colorful houses. Nuuk lies near the Davis Strait and is about 3,500 km from Copenhagen, Denmark, which Greenland became part of in 1814. Read more