Nova Scotia to Nunavut: A week in Iqaluit

It isn't difficult to fill a week in Iqaluit. Ours has included good food (caribou burgers were so good at the Frobisher Inn I ordered them again three days later, and Sat. brunch at the legion worth a mention too), hiking, sightseeing, taking in live entertainment to celebrate Aboriginal Day, and relaxing in our very comfortable room at the Arctic Hotel as well as doing a lot of walking around town. And we did enjoy being able to have a cold beer with lunch or dinner, not a possibility in Kimmirut.

The Twin Otter flight is quite exciting. Here we are just leaving Kimmirut.

Approaching Iqaluit about 45 min. later.

We arrived in Iqaluit, capital of Nunavut, pop. around 7,000 last Thursday. We had been planning on making the trip Friday but the plane was pretty well booked with teachers heading south for their summer vacations. It turned out the Friday flight didn't happen due to weather issues and, apparently some of the teachers didn't get out till Monday. Weather cancellations are common which is great for safety but makes it difficult to connect with flights out of Iqaluit.

A highlight of this trip was an afternoon-long hike along the coastal path to Apex, a small residential community just two or three kms by road but much longer and more beautiful and interesting if you take the path. We saw a team of dogs quite far out on the ice pulling three hunters on their sled coming back from the floe edge. Too far away for good photos but we could hear the dogs, it looked like 10 or so, barking excitedly. Coming back along the road we noticed, sadly, the ubiquitous Tim Horton's cups in abundance in the ditch.

Below is the elementary school where the Aboriginal Day concert took place (more in next para.). I don't know why it doesn't have windows. Here the bell has just rung and students are returning for afternoon classes. Just to the right you can see the frozen harbour in the distance.

Aboriginal Day was also the first day of summer and Father's Day. Lots to celebrate which we did by attending a free evening concert of local music in an elementary school. I couldn't get any photos which really was too bad. The school gymnasium was packed with families having a great time. It was really festive with beautiful children clapping their hands and dancing to the music. Twice I saw pairs of little girls happily rubbing noses. And the throat singing was a thrill to hear and see. When we left around 9:30 p.m. there were lots more kids playing outside on the school playground and a group of a dozen or more big boys playing basketball.

The a legislative building is quite beautiful and we visited twice. The current art exhibit in the lobby has prints from Baker Lake, Cape Dorset, Pagnirtung, etc., all so lovely in different ways.

Even the sign for washrooms is tasteful and attractive.

In glass case below you can see carved narwhal tusk decorated with fabulous local semiprecious stones and being held up by soapstone carvings. Cushions on this bench are covered in seal skins.