Pond Inlet

Pond Inlet
Mittimatalik
ᒥᑦᑎᒪᑕᓕᒃ

Pond Inlet in 2006
Pond Inlet
Coordinates: 72°41′57″N 077°57′33″W / 72.69917°N 77.95917°W / 72.69917; -77.95917Coordinates: 72°41′57″N 077°57′33″W / 72.69917°N 77.95917°W / 72.69917; -77.95917
Country Canada
Territory Nunavut
Region Qikiqtaaluk Region
Electoral district Tunnuniq
Government[1][2][3]
 • Type Hamlet Council
 • Mayor Charlie Inuarak
 • MLA Joe Enook
Area[4]
 • Total 173.36 km2 (66.93 sq mi)
Elevation[5] 55 m (180 ft)
Population (2011)[4]
 • Total 1,549
 • Density 8.9/km2 (23/sq mi)
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
Canadian Postal code X0A 0S0
Area code(s) 867
Website www.pondinlet.ca

Pond Inlet (Inuktitut: Mittimatalik, in English the place where the landing place is[6]) is a small, predominantly Inuit community in the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut, Canada, and is located in northern Baffin Island. At the 2011 census the population was 1,549, an increase of 17.8% from the 2006 census[4] making it the largest of the four hamlets above the 72nd parallel. Pond Inlet was named in 1818 by explorer John Ross for John Pond, an English astronomer. The mayor is Charlie Inuarak.[1] Toonoonik-Sahoonik Cooperative Limited, most often referred to simply as the Co-op, also operates a local hotel and other endeavours.

Economy

Its economy is largely service based with government as the largest employer. Small businesses that serve the community, tourism, and art work though are also found.

The local co-operative, Tununiq Sauniq Co-op a member of Arctic Co-operatives Limited, is one of the largest co-ops in Nunavut.[7] It serves the community by managing contracts and delivering goods and services to the citizens of Pond Inlet. Some of the services T.S. Co-op provides are; school bus services, First Air services, Qilaut Heavy Equipment Rentals and services, Sauniq Hotel (largest in community), Construction contracts, T.V. Cable Services, a grocery and department store, Yamaha Snowmobile and ATV repair shop, and others.

The economy is expected to boom once the Mary River Iron Ore Mine is in full operation. The mine site is approximately 160 km (99 mi) west south-west of the community and still in its developmental stage.

As a tourist destination, Pond Inlet is considered one of Canada's "jewels of the North". It is one of the most picturesque communities with mountain ranges viewable from all directions. Icebergs are most often accessible from the community within walking distance or a short snowmobile ride in winter. Pond Inlet boasts a nearby floe edge, several dozen glaciers, explorable ice caves, and many grand and picturesque inlets. Barren-ground caribou, ringed seal, narwhals and polar bears are just some of the wildlife that can be encountered while traveling out on the land. Nunavut also boasts one of Canada's newest national parks named after the glaciers that can be viewed north of the community on Bylot Island; Sirmilik National Park.

Transportation

Pond Inlet is most readily accessible by airplane through a connection in Iqaluit, Nunavut's capital to Pond Inlet Airport. The ocean is ice free for as long as three and a half months when tourist cruise ships visit and goods can be transported to the community by sealift cargo carrying ships. Fresh foods such as fruits, vegetables and milk are flown from Montreal to Pond Inlet several times a week, a distance of about 2,500 km (1,600 mi).

Because of such great distances the cost of food and other materials such as construction supplies can be much higher than that of southern Canada. Milk is approximately $3.75/L, and carbonated drinks can be as much as $4.50/can.

Although the community is not more than 2.5 km (1.6 mi) long, snowmobiles and ATV four-wheelers are the main modes of transportation. With the decentralization of the Nunavut government and increased economic opportunities in the community, the number of vehicles has been increasing tenfold.

Education

Pond Inlet has two schools: Ulaajuk (elementary school) and Nasivvik (junior and high school). There is also Nunavut Arctic College which provides courses and programs for adults. It is also the headquarters of the Qikiqtani School Operations which operates schools throughout the Qikiqtaaluk Region.

Climate

Pond Inlet has a polar arctic climate with long cold winters and short cool summers. Pond Inlet's average high for the year is −11.1 °C (12.0 °F) while the average low for the year is −18.0 °C (−0.4 °F). The daily mean for the coldest month, February, is −34.7 °C (−30.5 °F). The daily mean for the warmest month, July, is 6.6 °C (43.9 °F). The record high for Pond Inlet is 22.0 °C (71.6 °F) on 11 July 1991. The record low for Pond Inlet is −53.9 °C (−65.0 °F) on 12 February 1979.[8]

Climate data for Pond Inlet Airport
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high humidex 3.6 −4.0 −0.8 3.9 9.4 15.0 22.0 18.9 11.8 6.0 1.2 −0.5 22.0
Record high °C (°F) 3.7
(38.7)		 −3.3
(26.1)		 0.0
(32)		 3.9
(39)		 12.1
(53.8)		 15.5
(59.9)		 22.0
(71.6)		 19.0
(66.2)		 11.9
(53.4)		 6.5
(43.7)		 2.0
(35.6)		 −1.0
(30.2)		 22.0
(71.6)
Average high °C (°F) −30.0
(−22)		 −30.2
(−22.4)		 −26.2
(−15.2)		 −17.6
(0.3)		 −5.3
(22.5)		 5.2
(41.4)		 10.5
(50.9)		 7.8
(46)		 1.8
(35.2)		 −6.4
(20.5)		 −17.8
(0)		 −24.5
(−12.1)		 −11.1
(12)
Daily mean °C (°F) −33.4
(−28.1)		 −33.7
(−28.7)		 −30.0
(−22)		 −21.9
(−7.4)		 −9.3
(15.3)		 2.4
(36.3)		 6.6
(43.9)		 4.8
(40.6)		 −0.8
(30.6)		 −9.7
(14.5)		 −21.7
(−7.1)		 −28.2
(−18.8)		 −14.6
(5.7)
Average low °C (°F) −36.7
(−34.1)		 −37.1
(−34.8)		 −33.6
(−28.5)		 −26.1
(−15)		 −13.2
(8.2)		 −0.6
(30.9)		 2.7
(36.9)		 1.7
(35.1)		 −3.4
(25.9)		 −12.9
(8.8)		 −25.2
(−13.4)		 −31.8
(−25.2)		 −18.0
(−0.4)
Record low °C (°F) −49.8
(−57.6)		 −53.9
(−65)		 −49.0
(−56.2)		 −40.2
(−40.4)		 −28.4
(−19.1)		 −14.0
(6.8)		 −6.1
(21)		 −6.1
(21)		 −16.4
(2.5)		 −30.1
(−22.2)		 −42.0
(−43.6)		 −45.5
(−49.9)		 −53.9
(−65)
Record low wind chill −64.8 −68.5 −60.3 −51.4 −36.2 −20.7 −6.7 −17.8 −25.0 −42.0 −51.6 −58.6 −68.5
Average precipitation mm (inches) 4.8
(0.189)		 3.8
(0.15)		 6.6
(0.26)		 10.5
(0.413)		 9.4
(0.37)		 15.6
(0.614)		 32.0
(1.26)		 38.8
(1.528)		 19.9
(0.783)		 25.1
(0.988)		 13.7
(0.539)		 8.9
(0.35)		 189.0
(7.441)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 0.0
(0)		 0.0
(0)		 0.0
(0)		 0.0
(0)		 0.0
(0)		 12.1
(0.476)		 31.5
(1.24)		 35.9
(1.413)		 9.8
(0.386)		 1.3
(0.051)		 0.4
(0.016)		 0.0
(0)		 91.0
(3.583)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 5.8
(2.28)		 5.0
(1.97)		 8.6
(3.39)		 12.7
(5)		 14.3
(5.63)		 4.4
(1.73)		 0.4
(0.16)		 2.8
(1.1)		 13.7
(5.39)		 33.8
(13.31)		 17.9
(7.05)		 12.6
(4.96)		 131.9
(51.93)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 4.6 4.1 6.5 6.2 6.2 5.9 8.0 9.9 7.9 11.7 8.2 7.4 86.7
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.4 7.9 9.2 2.8 0.2 0.0 0.0 24.5
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 4.6 4.2 6.6 6.1 6.2 2.1 0.2 1.0 5.3 11.5 8.2 7.4 63.3
Average relative humidity (%) 65.3 65.3 65.0 70.4 78.1 75.8 71.6 75.1 77.0 80.3 72.5 67.6 72.0
Mean monthly sunshine hours 0.0 0.0 177.0 301.7 353.7 330.4 359.6 192.1 90.2 39.3 0.0 0.0 1,844
Percent possible sunshine n/a n/a 49.5 59.0 48.4 45.9 48.3 30.7 21.9 15.0 n/a n/a 39.8
Source: Environment Canada Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010[8]

See also

References

Further reading

  • Bradstreet, Michael S. W. Studies Near the Pond Inlet Ice Edge Occurrence, Habitat Use, and Behavior of Seabirds, Marine Mammals, and Arctic Cod. Calgary: Petro-Canada, 1980.
  • Finley, K. J., and Elizabeth J. Gibb. Summer Diet of the Narwhal (Monodon Monoceros) in Pond Inlet, Northern Baffin Island. Toronto: LGL Limited for Petro-Canada Exploration Inc., Calgary, 1982.
  • Gourdeau, Eric. Notes on the Social Impact of Panarctic's Employment Policy in Arctic Bay and Pond Inlet. [Montreal]: Arctic Institute of North America, 1973.
  • Grant, Shelagh D. Arctic Justice On Trial for Murder, Pond Inlet, 1923. McGill-Queen's native and northern series, 33. Montréal, QC: McGill-Queen's University Press, 2002. ISBN 0-7735-2337-5
  • Grigsby, Michael. Eskimos of Pond Inlet. [Great Britain]: Granada TV, 1975.
  • Jackson, G. D., A. Davidson, and W. C. Morgan. Geology of the Pond Inlet Map-Area, Baffin Island, District of Franklin. Paper (Geological Survey of Canada), 74-25. Ottawa: Geological Survey of Canada, Dept. of Energy, Mines and Resources, 1975.
  • MacFarlane, I. C. The Effects of Deformation on the Structure of Sea Ice, Pond Inlet, N.W.T. A Contract Report. St. John's, Nfld: Centre for Cold Ocean Resources Engineering, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1983.
  • Nashook, Elijah. Pond Inlet Airstrip Extension Correspondence between Elijah Nashook, Mayor of the Hamlet of Pond Inlet and the Government of the Northwest Territories. Yellowknife?, N.W.T.: Government of the Northwest Territories?, 1987.
  • Northwest Territories. Pond Inlet (Mittimatalik). Northwest Territories data sheets. 1986.
  • Pond Inlet Education Council, and Baffin Divisional Board of Education. Nanuit Miksaanut. [Iqaluit, N.W.T.]: Pond Inlet Education Council, 1980. ISBN 0-920245-66-8
  • Remote Community Demonstration Program (Canada), and Peter J. Poole. A Study to Determine Off-Oil Options for Pond Inlet, N.W.T., with Special Emphasis on the Prospects for Developing Coal Reserves. Ottawa: The Program, 1983.
  • Romer, Mark. Pond Inlet Gardens A Report on the Design and Operation of a Solar Greenhouse on North Baffin Island, NWT, with Particular Reference to Economic Viability of Vegetable Production for Arctic Regions. Outremont, Qué: Romer, 1987.
  • Soberman, D. A. Report to the Canadian Human Rights Commission on the Complaints of the Inuit People Relocated from Inukjuak and Pond Inlet, to Grise Fiord and Resolute Bay in 1953 and 1955. S.l: s.n.], 1991.
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