Puvirnituq, Quebec, is a unique northern village located in Nunavik, on the Povungnituk River near its mouth on Hudson Bay. This Inuit community is a hidden gem in northern Quebec, Canada, with a rich history and a vibrant culture.
Puvirnituq, Quebec, is a northern village with a population of 2,129 as of the 2021 Canadian census. Unlike other northern villages in Nunavik, Puvirnituq has no Inuit reserved land associated with it. The name Puvirnituq, meaning "putrefied," is said to have originated from a tragic epidemic that decimated the area's population, leaving not enough people to bury the dead. Today, Puvirnituq serves as the aviation hub of the Hudson Bay coast, with the Puvirnituq Airport handling scheduled flights to and from all other Hudson Bay coastal communities in Quebec, Montreal, and Ottawa. The village is not accessible by road, and police services are provided by the Nunavik Police Service.
The history of Puvirnituq, Quebec, dates back to 1921 when the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) established a trading post in the village, then known as Povungnituk or Pov. This trading post attracted Inuit from the region, leading to the establishment of a settlement. In 1951, the HBC opened a general store, and the closure of HBC stores in other nearby villages led to an influx of Inuit to Puvirnituq.
In 1956, a Catholic mission was founded, encouraging the residents to form the Carvers Association of Povungnituk two years later. This association later became the Co-operative Association of Povungnituk, playing a crucial role in assisting, developing, and marketing Inuit art. The success of this cooperative inspired other Inuit communities to form similar cooperatives, most of which now make up the Federation of Co-operatives of Northern Quebec. Among the artists who worked at the cooperative was Leah Nuvalinga Qumaluk.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Puvirnituq, Quebec, had a population of 2,129 living in 547 of its 697 total private dwellings. This represented a change of 19.7% from its 2016 population of 1,779. With a land area of 81.61 km2 (31.51 sq mi), Puvirnituq had a population density of 26.1/km2 (67.6/sq mi) in 2021.
Puvirnituq, Quebec, is a unique northern village with a rich history and a vibrant culture. Whether you're interested in history, culture, or simply exploring new places, Puvirnituq offers a unique experience that's worth discovering.
