Sanikiluaq’s History
Sanikiluaq, situated on the northern coast of one of the Belcher Islands, is the southernmost settlement in Nunavut. Established in 1974, it has witnessed centuries of Inuit habitation in the Hudson Bay region. The hamlet’s name honors Sandy Kiluaq, a revered Inuk figure from antiquity. The island’s history includes Dorset cultural settlements (500 BC) and the Thule culture (1200-1500 AD). Facing challenges like the disappearance of caribou herds, islanders adapted by using Eider duck down for warm clothing—a testament to their resilience and unique heritage.
Exploration and Settlement
The Belcher Islands first caught explorers’ attention in 1610 when Henry Hudson documented them. Thomas Wiegand’s 1840 expedition from Fort George (Chisasibi) further explored the islands, and Robert Flaherty spent a winter there in 1915. The Hudson Bay Company established a trading post in the 1920s, operating intermittently until the 1950s.
Transition to Nunavut
Sanikiluaq was part of the Northwest Territories until 1999 when land claim negotiations led to the creation of Nunavut as a distinct territory. Today, Sanikiluaq lies within the Qikiqtaaluk region of Nunavut.