Rankin Inlet (Inuktitut: Kangiqiniq; Inuktitut syllabics: ????? or Kangirliniq ??????, meaning deep bay/inlet) is an Inuit hamlet on Kudlulik Peninsula in Nunavut, Canada.^[1] The 2008 Rand McNally Road Atlas shows a new name of Kangiqsliniq, but its status as official is not known. Located on the northwestern Hudson Bay, between Chesterfield Inlet and Arviat, it is the regional centre for the Kivalliq Region.

As of the 2006 census the population was 2,358 an increase of 8.3% from the 2001 census.^[2] The hamlet has a land area of 20.24 kmē (7.8 sq mi).

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

History

Archaeological sites established the area was inhabited around 1200 A.D. by Thule people, bowhead whale hunters. By the late 1700s, they were succeeded by Caribou Inuit who hunted the inland barren-ground caribou, and fished for Arctic charr along the coast, as well as the Diane River and Meliadine River. The Hudson's Bay Company established itself throughout the bay in the 1600s, though an unfortunate expedition shipwrecked on Marble Island, 16 km east of Rankin Inlet. HBC contact was followed in the mid-1800s by American and European whalers, who were followed by fur traders trapping white fox skins in the early 1900s, followed by missionaries who brought a written language system.^[3][4]

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, unfortunately, gave the meat an unpleasant flavour. It was also common for the animals to freeze to death or be eaten by polar bears.^[5]

Natural resources

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 small Kudlulik Peninsula has several lakes, the largest being Nipissak Lake, and is flanked by two bays, Melvin Bay on the west and Prairie Bay on the east. Pangertot Peninsula, on the inlet's far western shore, provides a barrier shelter for the smaller Kudlulik Peninsula. 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 northwest of Rankin Inlet, is notable for hiking, fishing, bird watching and Thule archaeologial sites. ^{[6] [7]}

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 Northern store or at the Kissarvik Cooperative. There are two fast food outlets, and some of the hotels have restaurants open to the public. The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and the Royal Bank of Canada are the two banks that service the community.

Art

Rankin Inlet is not only notable for its artists and artisans, it is recognized as the solo Inuit fine-arts ceramics producer in the world.^[8] Community artists work in a variety of mediums including ceramics, prints, bronze castings, carvings, watercolor and drawing. The Matchbox Gallery, founded in 1987, showcases art work and provides educational resources.

Notable people

• Current National Hockey League player Jordin Tootoo is perhaps the most well-known person to come from Rankin Inlet
• Tagak Curley
• Levinia Brown
• Jack Anawak
• Manitok Thompson
• Jose Kusugak

References

Further reading

de:Rankin Inlet es:Kangiqiniq fr:Kangiqtiniq ru:??????-????? fi:Rankin Inlet sv:Rankin Inlet