Nain, Newfoundland Labrador, also known as Nunainguk in the Inuit language, is the northernmost permanent settlement in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Nestled within the Nunatsiavut region, Nain is approximately 370 km (230 mi) by air from Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Established as a Moravian mission in 1771 by Jens Haven and other missionaries, Nain is now home to a population of 1,204, primarily of Inuit and mixed Inuit-European descent. As the administrative capital of the autonomous region of Nunatsiavut, Nain is a unique destination that can only be reached by air or sea.
Nain, Newfoundland Labrador, was first established in 1771 by Moravian missionaries, making it one of the oldest permanent Inuit settlements in Canada. The community has also been known by various names such as "Nonynuke", "Nuninock", and "Nunaingoakh". The first Inuk to be baptized in Nain was a man named Kingminguse, who adopted the name "Petrus" after conversion.
In 1893, Nain's residents adopted patrilineal surnames at the request of Newfoundland courts. Many people took names of the missionaries, while others chose traditional names or other European names. During the 19th-century, many people from southern parts of Labrador and also from England and Newfoundland settled on islands near Nain.
In 1959, residents of Hebron and Nutak resettled to Nain, Hopedale, Makkovik, and Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The relocation had a significant impact on the residents, resulting in difficulties when hunting and many families were divided. The provincial government apologized for the relocations in 2005.
In 2016, the Google Street View imaging service uploaded images of various roads in Nain, making it one of the few communities in Labrador with images on the service.
On December 1, 2005, Nain, Newfoundland Labrador, became the administrative capital of the autonomous region of Nunatsiavut. The Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement Act was successfully ratified by the Canadian Government and the Inuit of Labrador, granting title and aboriginal rights. The land that comprises the Nunatsiavut government is called the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area, or LISA, which amounts to approximately 72,500 km2 (28,000 sq mi).
Nain, Newfoundland Labrador, is located on the north side of Unity Bay, a small inlet. The bay is open to the Atlantic Ocean, but Nain's harbour is protected by numerous islands, the largest of which is Paul's Island.
Despite being located at the same latitude as Ketchikan on North America's west coast, or Moscow and southern Scandinavia in Europe, Nain, Newfoundland Labrador, experiences a marginal subarctic climate due to the influence of the Labrador Current.
Nain, Newfoundland Labrador, is home to Jens Haven Memorial, a kindergarten to level III school, split between two buildings. The town also offers an adult basic education (ABE) program delivered by Academy Canada.
Fishing is the main industry in Nain, Newfoundland Labrador. Traditional hunting and trapping activities continue through the winter months after the fishing season has ended. The Voisey's Bay nickel mine is also located about 35 km (22 mi) southwest of Nain.
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Nain, Newfoundland Labrador, had a revised population of 1,204 living in 350 of its 380 total private dwellings, a change of 7% from its 2016 population of 1,125.
In Nain, Newfoundland Labrador, English is spoken by 810 residents, while Inuktitut is spoken by 295 residents.
Flights to Nain, Newfoundland Labrador, are available from Happy Valley-Goose Bay on Air Borealis. Between mid-June and mid-November, the ferry MV Kamutik W provides weekly service from Goose Bay along the Atlantic Coast, with Nain being the northernmost stop on the route.
