Arviat

{{Historical populations

| title = Federal census population history of Arviat

| type = Canada

| align = left

| width =

| state =

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| percentages =

|1976|848

|1981|1022

|1986|1189

|1991|1323

|1996|1559

|2001|1899

|2006|2060

|2011|2318

|2016|2657

|2021|2864

| footnote =

| source = Statistics Canada
{{cite web | url=https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/statcan/CS94-905-1981.pdf | title=1981 Census of Canada: Census subdivisions in decreasing population order | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=May 1992 | accessdate=February 1, 2021}}{{cite web | url=https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2013/statcan/rh-hc/CS92-101-1987.pdf | title=1986 Census: Population - Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=September 1987 | accessdate=1 February 2022}}{{cite web | url=https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2013/statcan/rh-hc/CS93-304-1992.pdf | title=91 Census: Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions - Population and Dwelling Counts | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=April 1992 | accessdate=1 February 2022}}{{cite web | url=https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2012/statcan/rh-hc/CS93-357-1997.pdf | title=96 Census: A National Overview - Population and Dwelling Counts | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=April 1997 | accessdate=1 February 2022}}{{cite web | url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/english/census01/products/standard/popdwell/Table-CSD-P.cfm?T=1&SR=1&S=1&O=A&PR=62 | title=Population and Dwelling Counts, for Canada, Provinces and Territories, and Census Subdivisions (Municipalities), 2001 and 1996 Censuses - 100% Data (Nunavut) | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=15 August 2012 | accessdate=1 February 2022}}{{cite web | url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/hlt/97-550/Index.cfm?TPL=P1C&Page=RETR&LANG=Eng&T=302&SR=1&S=1&O=A&RPP=9999&CMA=0&PR=62 | title=Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2006 and 2001 censuses - 100% data (Nunavut) | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=20 August 2021 | accessdate=1 February 2022}}{{cite web | url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/hlt-fst/pd-pl/Table-Tableau.cfm?LANG=Eng&T=302&SR=1&S=51&O=A&RPP=9999&CMA=0&PR=62 | title=Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2011 and 2006 censuses (Nunavut) | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=25 July 2021 | accessdate=1 February 2022}}{{cite web | url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/hlt-fst/pd-pl/Table.cfm?Lang=Eng&T=302&SR=1&S=86&O=A&RPP=9999&PR=62 | title=Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Nunavut) | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=8 February 2017 | accessdate=1 February 2022}}

}}

In the 2021 Canadian census conducted by Statistics Canada, Arviat had a population of 2,864 living in 632 of its 694 total private dwellings, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:2864-2657}}|2657|1}} from its 2016 population of 2,657. With a land area of {{cvt|126.14|km2}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|2864|126.14|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2021.{{cite web | url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810000202&geocode=A000262 | title=Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), Nunavut | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=February 9, 2022 | accessdate=February 19, 2022}}

Arviat is the southernmost community on the Nunavut mainland and is close to the geographical centre of Canada. In Arviat, Inuktitut and English are primarily spoken, having the third largest population in Nunavut, behind Rankin Inlet and Iqaluit. From the 2011 Canadian census to the 2016 Canadian census there was a population increase of 14.6%.{{cite web|url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=6205015&Geo2=CD&Code2=6205&Data=Count&SearchText=Keewatin&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=6205&TABID=1 |title=Census Profile, 2016 Census|publisher=Statistics Canada|access-date=18 February 2017}} The mayor of Arviat is Joe Savikataaq (Jr.).{{cite news |title=Nunavummiut elect new municipal leaders |work=Nunatsiaq News |date=10 December 2013 |url=http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674nunavummiut_elect_new_municipal_leaders/ |access-date=14 January 2014 |archive-date=26 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226061346/http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674nunavummiut_elect_new_municipal_leaders |url-status=dead }}

The community became a hamlet under the name Eskimo Point (name first appeared on maps in 1738) in 1977.{{cite encyclopedia |last=Kudelik |first=Gail |title=Arviat |encyclopedia=The Canadian Encyclopedia |date=4 March 2015 |publisher=Historica Canada |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/arviat}}

Cargo and passenger air service is provided by Calm Air,{{Cite web |url=http://www.calmair.com/schedules.html |title=Calm Air schedule |access-date=2011-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930041647/http://www.calmair.com/schedules.html |archive-date=2011-09-30 |url-status=dead }} Canadian North{{citation needed|date=May 2022}} and Nolinor Aviation (charter only){{cite web |url=https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/65674airline_signs_10-year_agreement_to_service_nunavut_mines/ |title=Nunavut joint-venture airline signs 10-year deal with Agnico Eagle |publisher=Nunatsiaq News |date=2017-11-14}} out of Arviat Airport. Destinations include other settlements in Nunavut and Manitoba, including Winnipeg.

File:ARVIAT (NUNAVUT).jpg

Hunting and fishing are very active in the community; they are the primary source of sustenance. Four locally operated stores - Padlei Co-op, Northern Stores, Arctic Connection and Eskimo Point Lumber Supply - carry a wide range of products.

To the south, the town of Churchill, Manitoba is accessible by boat during the summer and fall. Churchill is accessible by snowmobile and Bombardier from Arviat. Churchill is often travelled to for supplies.

Arviat is well known around the Arctic for its artistic qualities. It is a thriving community with many talented musicians: Susan Aglukark, a well known musician; Simon "Johnny Cash of the North" Sigyariaq; the band Uniaqtuq, with Arsene, Pelagie and Mary Angalik; the Arviat Band, with John and Billy Kuksuk, Paul Kattau and others; the Irksuk band, played by Paul Irksuk and sons. All have had CDs recorded commercially.

Many types of wildlife are abundant. Within the vicinity of Arviat, polar bears, millions of migratory birds, beluga whales, and caribou are often spotted.

The only access is by air and snowmobile, but the Nunavut government and the federal Senate member for Nunavut, Dennis Patterson, are investigating the possibility of a highway from Thompson, Manitoba, Lynn Lake, or Gillam, Manitoba, or an extension of the Hudson Bay Railway from Churchill, Manitoba to Rankin Inlet via Arviat. Similar to other Arctic coast communities there is an annual sealift but it is not available to passengers.

Arviat was originally inhabited by the Paallirmiut, a coastal/inland Inuit band. In 1957, dying of starvation, the last remaining Ihalmiut, another Caribou Inuit band, were relocated to Arviat by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Though there are differences between the two bands, they recognize a need to work together in order to benefit the community.{{cite web |url=http://inuitarteskimoart.com/artists/About-Arviat.html |title=About Arviat |publisher=inuitarteskimoart.com |access-date=26 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527052632/http://inuitarteskimoart.com/artists/About-Arviat.html |archive-date=27 May 2011 |url-status=dead }}

In 1993, Mark Kalluak[https://inuit.uqam.ca/en/person/kalluak-mark Mark Kalluak] published a historical essay on soapstone carving in Arviat, entitled Pelts to Stone. A History of Arts and Crafts Production in Arviat.[https://inuit.uqam.ca/en/documents/pelts-stone-history-arts-and-crafts-production-arviat Pelts to Stone. A History of Arts and Crafts Production in Arviat]

Arviat was featured in Dancing Towards the Light, a 2017 CBC News short film and article telling the story of the hamlet's annual dance competition.{{Cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news2/interactives/arviat-documentary/ |title=Dancing towards the light |publisher=CBC News |date=2017 |access-date=19 April 2020}}{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

The community is home to Arviaqpaluk Radio, a community radio station which operates under an exemption from CRTC licensing for low-power broadcasters.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-march-10-2021-1.5943660/how-radio-is-lifting-spirits-in-a-nunavut-hamlet-hit-hard-by-covid-19-1.5944356 |title=How radio is lifting spirits in a Nunavut hamlet hit hard by COVID-19 |work=The Current |publisher=CBC Radio |date=10 March 2021}}

The community is represented in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut by John Main in the electoral district of Arviat North-Whale Cove, and Joe Savikataaq in Arviat South. Savikataaq was Premier of Nunavut from 2018 to 2021.

Savikataaq's son, Joe Savikataaq Jr., became mayor of the community in March 2020, following the death in office of Bob Leonard.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/new-arviat-mayor-reflects-on-the-value-of-strong-community-services-during-a-pandemic-1.5708237 |title=New Arviat mayor reflects on the value of community services during a pandemic |publisher=CBC North |date=5 September 2020}}

The Hudson Bay Quest sled-dog race was run from Churchill to Arviat for the first time in 2004.

The community has been served by the Qiniq network since 2005. Qiniq is a fixed wireless service to homes and businesses, connecting to the outside world via a satellite backbone. The Qiniq network is designed and operated by SSI Micro. In 2017, the network was upgraded to 4G LTE technology, and 2G-GSM for mobile voice.

According to the Köppen climate classification, Arviat has a subarctic climate (Köppen Dfc). However, using Nordenskjöld's alternate formula for distinguishing Arctic from subarctic climates,{{cite book |last1= Nordenskjöld|first1= Otto|author-link1= Nils Otto Gustaf Nordenskjöld|last2= Mecking|first2= Ludwig |last3= Antevs|first3= Ernst|author-link3= Ernst Antevs|last4= Hale|first4= Marion|editor-last1= Joerg|editor-first1= W. L. G.|editor-link1= Wolfgang Louis Gottfried Joerg|date= 1928|chapter= Chapter VI: The Delimitation of the Polar Regions, and the Natural Provinces of the Arctic and Antarctic|chapter-url= https://archive.org/details/geographyofpolar00nord/page/72/mode/2up|title= The Geography of the Polar Regions, Consisting of A General Characterization of Polar Nature|url= https://archive.org/details/geographyofpolar00nord/|series= Special Publication|volume= 8|publication-place= New York City|publisher= American Geographical Society|pages= 72–3|id= Bib_id 28009518|access-date= January 31, 2023|via= Internet Archive}} it has a polar climate (Köppen ET); as expected from this, it is north of the Arctic tree line. Spring is slow to warm up, with June being cooler than September and May cooler than October. With a yearly mean of {{Convert|-9.3|C}} it is the third-warmest in Nunavut and the maximum of {{Convert|33.9|C}} recorded on 22 July 1973{{cite web|url=https://arviat.weatherstats.ca/extremes.html|title=Extremes for Arviat|author=|date=4 November 2019|website=Canada Weather Stats|publisher=(Data from) Environment and Climate Change Canada|access-date=4 November 2019}} is second only to that of Kugluktuk. Arviat has a yearly rainfall of {{cvt|174.4|mm}}, the fourth-wettest in Nunavut, but only {{cvt|112.4|cm}} of snow, the third-least.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}} Temperatures above freezing have never been recorded between 18 November and 17 March, inclusive; conversely, accumulating snow has never been recorded in July or August.

{{Arviat weatherbox}}

{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}

• List of municipalities in Nunavut
• Peter Kritaqliluk
• Arviat Airport
• Nancy Karetak-Lindell
• John Pangnark
• Andy Miki
• McConnell River Migratory Bird Sanctuary
• Arvia'juaq and Qikiqtaarjuk National Historic Site

{{div col end}}

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Refbegin}}

• {{cite report |last=Dawson |first=Peter C. |title=An Examination of the Use of Domestic Space by Inuit Families Living in Arviat, Nunavut |publisher=Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation |location=Ottawa |date=2004 |url=https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2011/schl-cmhc/nh18-1-2/NH18-1-2-152-2003-eng.pdf}}
• {{cite journal |last1=Dana |first=Léo-Paul |first2=Robert Brent |last2=Anderson |title=The Evolution of Entrepreneurship in Arviat: The Southernmost Community of Mainland Nunavut |journal= International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business|date=2011 |volume=14 |issue=4 |pages=508–532 |doi=10.1504/IJESB.2011.043473|s2cid=145266139 }}
• Inuit Gallery of Vancouver. Arviat Artists of the Past, Present, and Future. Vancouver: Inuit Gallery of Vancouver, 1997. {{ISBN|0-9682123-1-X}}
• Kalluak, Mark. Pelts to Stone A History of Arts & Crafts Production in Arviat. [Ottawa]: Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, 1993. {{ISBN|0-662-20847-1}}
• Maguire, Mary, and Lynn McAlpine. Attautsikut/Together Understanding Culture, Change and Success in Qitiqliq Secondary School and Arviat. Exemplary schools project technical report, 8. Toronto: Canadian Education Association, 1995. {{ISBN|0-920315-86-0}}
• Sharp, Jason M. Ground Truthing of Linear Magnetic Anomalies Near Arviat, Nunavut Territory. Yellowknife, NT: Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, NWT eology Division, 1999.
• Swinton, George. Arviat Eskimo Point. Vancouver: Marion Scott Gallery, 1989. {{ISBN|0-921634-06-4}}
• Tyrrell, M. 2006. "Making Sense of Contaminants: A Case Study of Arviat, Nunavut". Arctic. 59, no. 4: 370-380.

{{Refend}}

{{Commons category|Arviat}}

• [http://www.arviat.ca/ Official website]

{{Subdivisions of Nunavut}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Hudson's Bay Company trading posts in Nunavut

Category:Populated places on Hudson Bay

Category:Hamlets in the Kivalliq Region

Category:Road-inaccessible communities of Nunavut