Sanikiluaq, Nunavut, is a unique Inuit community nestled on the north coast of Flaherty Island in Hudson Bay, on the Belcher Islands. Despite its geographical proximity to Ontario and Quebec, this community and the Belcher Islands are part of the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut, Canada.
Sanikiluaq was established in the early 1970s, replacing the "South Camp" located further south in the island group. North of the town lies the Kinngaaluk Territorial Park, a 3,300-acre space designed for camping, cultural expression, and seasonal hunting. This park is home to archaeological remains from the Dorset and Thule cultures. Although the park's master plan, created by NVision Insight Group, won an award from the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects in 2019, the current state of the park remains unknown.
According to the 2021 Canadian census conducted by Statistics Canada, Sanikiluaq had a population of 1,010 living in 228 of its 252 total private dwellings. This was a 14.5% increase from its 2016 population of 882. With a land area of 109.68 km2 (42.35 sq mi), it had a population density of 9.2/km2 (23.9/sq mi) in 2021.
Sanikiluaq was home to an eider down factory for 20 years, which closed in 2005 due to a decrease in eider duck population and government funding. However, the factory reopened in June 2015, marking a significant milestone in the community's economic development.
As the southernmost community in the territory, Sanikiluaq is served by the Sanikiluaq Airport. Air service is provided by Air Inuit, Calm Air, and Panorama Aviation, ensuring connectivity with the rest of the country.
Since 2005, the Qiniq network has been serving the community. This fixed wireless service connects homes and businesses to the outside world via a satellite backbone. Operated by SSi Canada, the network was upgraded to 4G LTE technology and 2G-GSM for mobile voice in 2017.
In 1996, Nunavut Arctic College initiated a project to revive the art of sewing baskets, qisiq, from ivigag or lyme grass (Leymus mollis), which is common along the shorelines of Hudson Bay. The traditional grass baskets made by the Sanikiluaqmiut are unique and finely crafted, often featuring lids and handles carved from soapstone. The revival of this art form was a community effort, with members consulting elders, using photographs and descriptions from the Canadian Museum of History, and relying on their collective cultural memory and skills.
The documentary film "People of a Feather," written and directed by Joel Heath, explores the relationship between climate change, hydroelectric dams, eider ducks, and the people of the Belcher Islands. The film was made with the support of the Sanikiluaq community, further highlighting the community's commitment to preserving their culture and environment.
