Rankin Inlet
Kangiqliniq
ᑲᖏᕿᓂᖅ (Inuktitut)
Rankin Inlet from the air
Rankin Inlet from the air
Rankin Inlet is located in Nunavut
Rankin Inlet
Rankin Inlet
Rankin Inlet is located in Canada
Rankin Inlet
Rankin Inlet
Coordinates: 62°49′N 092°05′W / 62.817°N 92.083°W / 62.817; -92.083[1]
CountryCanada
TerritoryNunavut
RegionKivalliq
Electoral districtsRankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet
Rankin Inlet South
Government
[2][3]
 • TypeHamlet Council
 • MayorHarry Towtongie
 • MLAsAlexander Sammurtok
Lorne Kusugak
Area
 (2021)[4]
 • Total20.03 km2 (7.73 sq mi)
 • Population centre2.86 km2 (1.10 sq mi)
Elevation
[5]
28 m (92 ft)
Population
 (2021)[4][6]
 • Total2,975
 • Density148.5/km2 (385/sq mi)
 • Population centre
2,698
 • Population centre density942.6/km2 (2,441/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−06:00 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−05:00 (CDT)
Canadian Postal code
X0C 0G0
Area code867
Telephone Exchange645
GNBC CodeOANSI
NTS Map55K16 Rankin Inlet
WaterwayHudson Bay
Websitewww.rankininlet.net

Rankin Inlet (Inuktitut: Kangiqliniq;[7] Inuktitut syllabics: ᑲᖏᕿᓂᖅ[8] or Kangirliniq,[9] ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᖅ,[8] or Kangir&iniq[10] meaning deep bay/inlet) is an Inuit hamlet on the Kudlulik Peninsula in Nunavut, Canada.[1][11] It is the largest hamlet and second-largest settlement in Nunavut, after the territorial capital, Iqaluit. On the northwestern Hudson Bay, between Chesterfield Inlet and Arviat, it is the regional centre for the Kivalliq Region.

In the 1995 Nunavut capital plebiscite, Iqaluit defeated Rankin Inlet to become territorial capital of Nunavut.

History

A Thule site at the Meliadine River near Rankin Inlet

Archaeological sites suggest the area was inhabited around 1200 CE by Thule people who were bowhead whale hunters. By the late 18th century, they were succeeded by Kivallirmiut (Caribou Inuit) who hunted the inland barren-ground caribou, and fished for Arctic char along the coast, as well as the Diane River and Meliadine River. The Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) established itself throughout the bay in the 17th century, and after 1717, sloops from Churchill, Manitoba traded north to Rankin Inlet and beyond. There was an unfortunate expedition shipwrecked on Marble Island, 32 km (20 mi) east of Rankin Inlet: James Knight's expedition died on the island around 1722. It was surveyed by William Moor in 1747. HBC contact was followed in the mid-19th century by American and European whalers, who were followed by fur traders trapping Arctic foxes for their skins in the early 20th century, followed by missionaries who brought a written language system.[12][13]

The town itself was founded by the owners of the Rankin Inlet Mine, just north of Johnston Cove. Starting in 1957, the mine produced nickel and copper ores from an underground operation. The mine was the first case of Inuit miners in Canada. When the mine closed in 1962, Rankin Inlet had a population of approximately 500 Inuit, and 70-80% had been mine workers. Several unsuccessful attempts followed to develop alternate sources of income for the town. These included a pig ranch in 1969 and a chicken-raising venture in the 1970s. Both animal groups were fed a diet of local fish, which gave the meat an unpleasant flavour. It was also common for the animals to freeze to death or be eaten by polar bears.[14]

The Meliadine Gold Mine operated by Agnico Eagle opened in 2019 and is expected to produce until at least 2032. It is the second mine opened in the low Arctic, after the Meadowbank Gold Mine, and is both an underground and open-pit mine.[15]

From 1985 to 1997, Kivalliq Hall operated as a boarding school for Inuit pupils; it had been recognized as a residential school for the pre-1995 period when it was operated by the Federal government.[16][17]

Demographics

Federal census population history of Rankin Inlet
YearPop.±%
1971566—    
1976852+50.5%
19811,109+30.2%
19861,374+23.9%
19911,706+24.2%
19962,058+20.6%
20012,177+5.8%
20062,358+8.3%
20112,557+8.4%
20162,842+11.1%
20212,975+4.7%
Source: Statistics Canada
[4][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26]
Downtown Rankin Inlet

In the 2021 Canadian census conducted by Statistics Canada, Rankin Inlet had a population of 2,975 living in 826 of its 1,026 total private dwellings, a change of 4.7% from its 2016 population of 2,842. With a land area of 20.03 km2 (7.73 sq mi), it had a population density of 148.5/km2 (384.7/sq mi) in 2021.[4]

Arts and culture

Rankin Inlet is not only notable for its artists and artisans, it is recognized as housing the only Inuit fine-arts ceramics production facility in the world.[27] Community artists work in a variety of media including ceramics, prints, bronze castings, carvings, watercolour and drawing. The Matchbox Gallery, founded in 1987, showcases art work and provides educational resources.

The community is served by Kivalliq News, a weekly newspaper which publishes in both English and Inuktitut.

The annual spring festival Pakallak Tyme includes a fishing competition and snowmobile races.[28]

Services

The community is served by the Rankin Inlet Airport, and by annual supply sealift. Groceries and household goods can be purchased at The North West Company's Northern Store, the Kissarvik Cooperative, and the EPLS Store.

There are two convenience stores, one being The Red Top Variety Shop, formally the Innukshuk Shop, and the other being Kativik True Value Hardware. Both are locally owned and operated.

There are several places to dine out which include The Captain's Galley (which is in the Siniktarvik Hotel), Turrarvik Inns North (Kissarvik Cooperative) and three Tim Hortons (in the Northern Store and two convenience stores)[29] outlets.

There is an auto parts store called Rankin Auto Value. This store has automotive and heavy equipment parts, oils and tooling.

Broadband communications

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 Canada. In 2017, the network was upgraded to 4G LTE technology, and 2G-GSM for mobile voice.

Lodging

Rankin Inlet has several hotels, including the Siniktarvik Hotel[30] and Katimavik Suites.[31]

Geography

Rankin Inlet is notable for the chilling wind, severe winter storms, and water resources. The Diana River empties from the north into the hamlet's namesake inlet. The Kivalliq Region has several lakes, the largest being Nipissa Lake, and is flanked by two bays, Melvin Bay on the west and Prairie Bay on the east. Paniqtoq Peninsula, on the inlet's far western shore, provides a barrier shelter for the smaller Kivaliq Region. Dozens of islands dot the inlet, including Thomson Island, the largest, and the Barrier Islands, the longest chain. These natural resources attract tourists who hunt, fish, and canoe. The Iqalugaarjuup Nunanga Territorial Park, 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of Rankin Inlet, is notable for hiking, fishing, bird watching and Thule archaeological sites.[32][33]

Rankin Inlet

Climate

Rankin Inlet has a subarctic climate (Köppen climate classification Dfc), just short of a tundra climate. It is above the tree line. Temperatures stay below freezing from late September to early June. Although the climate is subarctic, temperatures rise and fall too rapidly and do not stay above 10 °C (50 °F) for long enough (30 days) for trees to grow. Under the alternate formula for determining the boundary between Arctic and subarctic climates posited by Otto Nordenskjöld, however, Rankin Inlet, along with Arviat and Baker Lake, qualify as Arctic based on the relationship between the temperatures of the coldest and warmest months; in the case of Rankin Inlet, with a coldest-month (January) mean of −30.8 °C (−23.4 °F), said boundary for the warmest month would be 12.1 °C (53.8 °F) using the Nordenskjöld formula and Rankin Inlet's warmest month (July) averages only 10.5 °C (50.9 °F).

Beginning on 16 January 2008, Rankin Inlet endured the longest recorded blizzard in Canada.[lower-alpha 1] Wind speed was 74 km/h (46 mph) or above, with gusts to 90 km/h (56 mph), and wind chill values were as low as −58 °C (−72 °F). This blizzard lasted 7 days 5 hours.[35]

Climate data for Rankin Inlet (Rankin Inlet Airport)
WMO ID: 71083; coordinates 62°49′N 92°07′W / 62.817°N 92.117°W / 62.817; -92.117 (Rankin Inlet Airport); elevation: 32.3 m (106 ft); 1981–2010 normals
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high humidex −3.0 −4.4 1.1 2.5 13.4 26.3 32.2 31.8 21.8 11.7 1.4 0.8 32.2
Record high °C (°F) −2.5
(27.5)		 −4.4
(24.1)		 1.3
(34.3)		 3.4
(38.1)		 14.1
(57.4)		 26.1
(79.0)		 28.9
(84.0)		 30.5
(86.9)		 20.6
(69.1)		 11.8
(53.2)		 1.5
(34.7)		 0.9
(33.6)		 30.5
(86.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −27.3
(−17.1)		 −26.1
(−15.0)		 −20.6
(−5.1)		 −11.1
(12.0)		 −2.4
(27.7)		 7.9
(46.2)		 14.9
(58.8)		 13.1
(55.6)		 6.3
(43.3)		 −1.9
(28.6)		 −13.0
(8.6)		 −21.9
(−7.4)		 −6.9
(19.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) −30.8
(−23.4)		 −29.9
(−21.8)		 −25.0
(−13.0)		 −15.6
(3.9)		 −5.8
(21.6)		 4.2
(39.6)		 10.5
(50.9)		 9.7
(49.5)		 3.8
(38.8)		 −4.6
(23.7)		 −17.0
(1.4)		 −25.7
(−14.3)		 −10.5
(13.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −34.4
(−29.9)		 −33.6
(−28.5)		 −29.2
(−20.6)		 −20.1
(−4.2)		 −9.0
(15.8)		 0.5
(32.9)		 6.1
(43.0)		 6.2
(43.2)		 1.3
(34.3)		 −7.3
(18.9)		 −20.9
(−5.6)		 −29.4
(−20.9)		 −14.2
(6.4)
Record low °C (°F) −46.1
(−51.0)		 −49.8
(−57.6)		 −43.4
(−46.1)		 −35.7
(−32.3)		 −23.8
(−10.8)		 −9.4
(15.1)		 −1.9
(28.6)		 −1.4
(29.5)		 −9.0
(15.8)		 −27.4
(−17.3)		 −36.5
(−33.7)		 −43.6
(−46.5)		 −49.8
(−57.6)
Record low wind chill −66.8 −70.5 −64.4 −53.6 −35.9 −17.6 −5.3 −8.8 −18.1 −42.7 −55.3 −62.4 −70.5
Average precipitation mm (inches) 8.7
(0.34)		 8.2
(0.32)		 12.3
(0.48)		 19.9
(0.78)		 19.5
(0.77)		 26.6
(1.05)		 42.0
(1.65)		 57.4
(2.26)		 42.9
(1.69)		 38.0
(1.50)		 21.7
(0.85)		 12.8
(0.50)		 310.1
(12.21)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 1.1
(0.04)		 7.0
(0.28)		 22.1
(0.87)		 41.9
(1.65)		 57.2
(2.25)		 39.1
(1.54)		 12.9
(0.51)		 0.3
(0.01)		 0.1
(0.00)		 181.8
(7.16)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 8.9
(3.5)		 8.5
(3.3)		 12.5
(4.9)		 19.2
(7.6)		 13.0
(5.1)		 4.6
(1.8)		 0.1
(0.0)		 0.2
(0.1)		 3.8
(1.5)		 25.5
(10.0)		 22.4
(8.8)		 13.3
(5.2)		 131.9
(51.9)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 7.8 6.6 9.0 8.5 8.7 7.7 10.4 13.2 12.7 14.9 12.6 10.0 122.1
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.7 2.3 6.3 10.4 13.2 10.5 4.2 0.4 0.1 48.4
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 7.8 6.7 9.0 8.2 7.1 2.0 0.1 0.1 3.3 12.4 12.5 10.0 79.3
Average relative humidity (%) 66.2 67.3 71.3 79.0 82.3 72.3 66.6 70.6 76.3 84.5 78.4 70.2 73.7
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010[36]

Notable people

Rankin Inlet in winter
Rankin Inlet in summer. View from ridge on east end of town.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Environment and Climate Change Canada defines a blizzard above the tree line as a snowstorm with sustained wind speed above 40 km/h (25 mph), visibility 400 m (1,300 ft) or under and conditions will last for at least six hours.[34]

References

  1. 1 2 "Rankin Inlet". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada.
  2. ↑ "Municipal Election Results 2019-2020" (PDF). Elections Nunavut. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  3. ↑ "2021 General Election" (PDF). Elections Nunavut. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), Nunavut". Statistics Canada. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  5. ↑ Elevation at airport. Canada Flight Supplement. Effective 0901Z 16 July 2020 to 0901Z 10 September 2020.
  6. ↑ "Census Profile, 2021 Census Rankin Inlet Nunavut [Population centre]". Statistics Canada. 6 December 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  7. ↑ Rankin Inlet
  8. 1 2 Research Database
  9. ↑ "Harvest Estimates" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  10. ↑ 'Language watchdog needed in Nunavut
  11. ↑ "Kudlulik Peninsula". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada.
  12. ↑ "Notre Dame Du Cap". arcicomi.ca. Archived from the original on 3 May 2003. Retrieved 26 January 2008.
  13. ↑ "Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre". pulaarvik.ca. Retrieved 26 January 2008.
  14. ↑ "History of the Development of Agriculture in the N.W.T." (PDF). p. 11. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 September 2007.
  15. ↑ "The Meliadine mine in the Kivalliq District of Nunavut is Agnico Eagle's second mine in Canada's Low Arctic, opening nine years after the Meadowbank mine". Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  16. ↑ "Kivalliq Hall qualifies for residential school settlements, Nunavut appeals court rules". CBC News.
  17. ↑ "Nunavut judge recognizes Kivalliq Hall as a residential school". Nunatsiaq News. 20 December 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  18. ↑ "1976 Census of Canada: Population - Geographic Distributions" (PDF). Statistics Canada. June 1977. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  19. ↑ "1981 Census of Canada: Census subdivisions in decreasing population order" (PDF). Statistics Canada. May 1992. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  20. ↑ "1986 Census: Population - Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions" (PDF). Statistics Canada. September 1987. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  21. ↑ "91 Census: Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions - Population and Dwelling Counts" (PDF). Statistics Canada. April 1992. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  22. ↑ "96 Census: A National Overview - Population and Dwelling Counts" (PDF). Statistics Canada. April 1997. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  23. ↑ "Population and Dwelling Counts, for Canada, Provinces and Territories, and Census Subdivisions (Municipalities), 2001 and 1996 Censuses - 100% Data (Nunavut)". Statistics Canada. 15 August 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  24. ↑ "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2006 and 2001 censuses - 100% data (Nunavut)". Statistics Canada. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  25. ↑ "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2011 and 2006 censuses (Nunavut)". Statistics Canada. 25 July 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  26. ↑ "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Nunavut)". Statistics Canada. 8 February 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  27. ↑ Rankin Inlet art and artists Archived 22 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  28. ↑ Rogers, Sarah (5 December 2020). "CBC to air comedy series episode filmed in Nunavut". Nunatsiaq News. Nortext Publishing. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  29. ↑ Tim Hortons hype out of line, says Nunavut restaurant-owner
  30. ↑ Siniktarvik Hotel
  31. ↑ Katimavik Suites
  32. ↑ "Landmarks". worldviewtravel.com. Archived from the original on 5 November 2007. Retrieved 26 January 2008.
  33. ↑ "Iqalugaarjuup Nunanga Territorial Park". Nunavut Parks. Archived from the original on 8 June 2007. Retrieved 26 January 2008.
  34. ↑ "Blizzard Table 2. Alerting parameters Environment Canada uses for issuing a Blizzard Warning". 29 October 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  35. ↑ "Home of the blizzard". up here. October–November 2008. Archived from the original on 1 September 2011. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  36. ↑ "Rankin Inlet A". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Climate ID: 2303401. Retrieved 19 October 2020.

Further reading

  • England JI. 1998. "Rankin Inlet Birthing Project: Outcome of Primipara Deliveries". International Journal of Circumpolar Health. 57: 113–5.
  • Igalaaq The Rankin Inlet Community Access Centre. Ottawa, Ont: Caledon Institute of Social Policy, 1999. ISBN 1-894159-30-6
  • Jansen, William Hugh. Eskimo Economics An Aspect of Culture Change at Rankin Inlet. Mercury series. Ottawa: National Museums of Canada, 1979.
  • Mallon, S. T. Inuktitut, Rankin Inlet Version. Yellowknife, N.W.T.: Dept. of Education, 1974.
  • Shirley, James R., and Darlene Wight. Rankin Inlet Ceramics. Winnipeg: Winnipeg Art Gallery, 2003. ISBN 0-88915-224-1
  • Watson, Linvill. Television Among Inuit of Keewatin The Rankin Inlet Experience. Saskatoon, [Sask.]: Institute for Northern Studies, University of Saskatoon, 1977.
  • Feeney, Mara. Rankin Inlet. Fiddletown: Gaby Press, 2009. ISBN 978-0-9819319-5-1.
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