Kangirsuk, Quebec, also known as ᑲᖏᕐᓱᖅ/Kangirsuq in Inuktitut, meaning "the bay," is a charming Inuit village nestled in northern Nunavik, Canada. This remote community, located 230 kilometres north of Kuujjuaq, between Aupaluk and Quaqtaq, is only accessible by air via Kangirsuk Airport or by boat in late summer. The village was formerly known as Payne Bay and Bellin.
Kangirsuk, Quebec, is situated above the tree line near the mouth of the Arnaud River on the north shore of Payne Bay. It is 13 km inland from the western coast of Ungava Bay. The village is partially surrounded by a rocky cliff to the north and a large, rocky hill to the west, adding to its rugged charm.
Kangirsuk, Quebec, experiences a tundra climate (ET), characterized by long, cold winters and short, cool, and rainy summers with chilly nights. This climate contributes to the unique flora and fauna found in the region.
The history of Kangirsuk, Quebec, dates back to the 11th century when the area was possibly visited by Vikings. Not far from the village on Pamiok Island, archaeologist Thomas E. Lee discovered a stone foundation believed to be a Viking long house. However, more recent archaeological investigations have identified the site as part of the Dorset culture. Another archaeological site, Hammer of Thor, is located on the north shores of Payne River, about 25 km west of the village.
Inuit have hunted and fished along the Ungava Bay coast for centuries. Permanent European settlement did not occur until 1921 when the Revillon Frères company set up a trading post here, named Payne River in memory of Frank F. Payne, who explored the region during the winter of 1885–1886. Four years later, the competing Hudson's Bay Company also set up a post. The Inuit remained nomadic, however, and only visited the site as a summer encampment because of the abundance of game.
In 1945, the location was known as Payne Bay. In 1959, the federal day school was founded, marking the beginning of permanent settlement by Inuit. In 1961, the federal government provided healthcare facilities, housing, and social services. That same year, the Quebec Government decided to give French names to places of the northern Quebec coast and changed the name of the post to Francis-Babel, in honour of Louis-François Babel (1826-1912). But this name did not take root, and was replaced a year later with Bellin, named after Jacques-Nicolas Bellin (1703-1772). It was subsequently known as Bellin (Payne) until 1980. That year, the name was changed to Kangiqsuk when the village was incorporated as a Northern Village Municipality (French: municipalité de village nordique). Local authorities disagreed with this transliteration, and in 1982 it was corrected to Kangirsuk. Since 1996, the police services in Kangirsuk are provided by the Kativik Regional Police Force.
The community is depicted in the 2019 short film Throat Singing in Kangirsuk (Katatjatuuk Kangirsumi).
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Kangirsuk, Quebec, had a population of 561 living in 170 of its 197 total private dwellings, a change of -1.1% from its 2016 population of 567. With a land area of 57.15 km2 (22.07 sq mi), it had a population density of 9.8/km2 (25.4/sq mi) in 2021. The population trend over the years is as follows:
Kangirsuk, Quebec, is renowned for its excellent mussel harvesting in Payne Bay and the Arnaud River. The numerous nearby lakes and rivers provide an abundance of Arctic char and lake trout. On the islands of Kyak Bay and Virgin Lake located to the east and north-east of Kangirsuk, respectively, important colonies of eider ducks nest every year.
