| Gjoa Haven (Ursuqtuq)
Location
68°38N, 95°52 W. Elevation 45.7 m at the airstrip. 141.6 air km SW of Spence Bay, 1 056 air km NE of
Yellowknife, in the Kitikmeot Region.
Topography
Limestone lowlands covered by sands and gravels.
Climate
Average annual precipitation: 5.1 cm rainfall, 25.4 cm snowfall, 8.4 cm total precipitation. July mean high 23.9 °C, low
7.2 °C. January mean high -23.3 °C, low -49.4 °C. Light winds N.
History
Roald Amundsen, the first person to actually navigate the Northwest Passage, wintered on King William Island in the
finest little harbour in the world, which he called Gjoa Haven after his ship, the Gjoa. In 1927, the Hudsons Bay
company moved its post from Douglas Bay to Gjoa Haven. Most of the people follow a hunting/trapping lifestyle, with
handicrafts, particularly distinctive wall hangings, also providing a source of income.
Demography
- Population: June 1981, 523; 1986 census, 650; June 1988 GNWT estimate, 706; 1991 census, 783.
- 1986 sex distribution: 51% male, 49% female.
- 1986 age distribution: 0-4, 16%; 5-14, 29%; 15-64, 53%, 65+, 2%
- 1987 ethnic distribution: 0% Dene/Metis, 96% Inuit, 4% non-native.
- Languages spoken: Inuktitut, English.
Political Organization
- Hamlet status, April 1, 1981
- Mayor: Urlash Puqiqnak
- Senior Administrative Officer: Greg Morash
- Hamlet office: (403) 360-7141; fax (403) 360-6309
- MLA John Ningark (Natilikmiot)
Economy
Major activities -- Hunting, fishing; carving/handicrafts.
Banks -- None. Co-ops: Kekertak Co-operative Association Limited.
Renewable Resources --
Fish: Arctic Char, Whitefish, Lake Trout;
Marine mammals: Ringed Seal, Harbour Seal, Bearded Seal, Beluga, Narwhal, Walrus;
Game: Caribou, Fox, Wolf, Polar Bear, Muskox; Quotas: Caribou, 60; Muskox, 50; Polar Bear, 9-14.
Total number of trappers (1987-88): 67
Total dollars earned: $30 000
Renewable Resources Officer: Luke Coady
Other Renewable Resources: Caribou antler (carving material)
Non-renewable Resources -- Minerals: nothing known
Tourism --arts and crafts: wall hangings, bone artifacts, carvings
Prices and Income -- Private Households Average Income, 1985: $27 448. Food prices, 1987: 82% higher than
Yellowknife.
Local Businesses -- In addition to those listed above: Taxis, general retail, food, recreational vehicles, translation
services, hotels, outfitters, vehicle rentals
Transportation
Air
Airport Operator: Hamlet of Gjoa Haven (GNWT)
Airport Facilities: Licensed 1 341 m x 30 m gravel runway including taxiway and apron; Airfield lighting consisting of
medium intensity runway edge, identification, end and threshold lights, ARCAL, VASIS, lighted wind sock, rotating
beacon, apron floodlights and taxi/apron edge lights; Navaid - NDB; air terminal building.
Services: Community Airport Radio Station (CARS) - Weather/Communications; Scheduled airfield maintenance;
Aircraft parking plugs.
Scheduled Service: First Air Ltd. via Cambridge Bay/Yellowknife and Iqaluit.
Water Aerodrome: Unlicensed float plane access with anchorage available but no services.
Water Aerodrome Location: 68 37 N, 95 53W. Elevation: 00.
Road
Co-op Taxi, Klengenberg Taxi, Tomag Taxi Service to Airport
Water
Barge service: operator, NTCL from Hay River. One voyage only unless traffic in July warrants it.
Communications
- Postal Code: X0E 0J0. Mail three times a week
- Telephone: NorthwesTel (Anik), local and long distance.
- Radio: CBC Radio (Anik)
- Television: CBC Television (Anik).
Medical/Social Services
- Community Health Centre: four beds, two bassinets, two cribs
- Medical staff: five persons
- Social Services Facilities: two person Community Social Services Office
Education
- School: Quqshuun Ilihakvik Centre, K-9; Student Enrolment (1988-89): 196; Teachers: 10; Local Education
Authority: Gjoa Haven Education Council.
- Vocational and Continuing Education: Adult education centre, one resident adult educator
Housing and Accommodation
- NWT Housing Corporation units (1989): 105
- HAP housing allocations 1980-89: 9
- GNWT staff housing units: 19 houses
- Commercial accommodation: Amundsen Hotel, accommodates 18, shared bath, dining room.
Recreation and Culture
Community hall. Playground, playfield, school gym. Active Recreation Committee.
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