Sanirajak

Photo: Tristan in Ottawa

Overview

Formerly known as Hall Beach, the community of Sanirajak (population 891 - 2021 census) is located south of Igloolik in the Qikiqtaaluk region of Nunavut.

Sanirajak is part of the Eastern Standard time zone along with Iqaluit and most of Ontario and Quebec. Getting to Sanirajak from southern Canada involves a 3-hour flight from Ottawa to Iqaluit, a 2-hour and 15-minute flight from Iqaluit to Igloolik, and a short 25-minute flight from Igloolik to Sanirajak.

Highlights

Sanirajak is the oldest permanently inhabited community north of the Arctic Circle. In ancient times the Thule people lived in the region; nearby archaeological sites and artifacts are still being discovered. There is an incredible diversity of wildlife in the area including an abundance of walruses, beluga whales, and migratory birds.

Traditional practices such as drum dancing, throat singing, storytelling and arts and craft are part of everyday life in Sanirajak. Inuktitut is spoken by 95% of the community. Visitors to the area can enjoy hiking, wildlife spotting, kayaking, fishing and dog sledding.

Weather and landscape

Located between the 68th and 69th parallels, Sanirajak has a tundra climate. Summer temperatures in the area peak at about 10 degrees Celsius; in the winter, they can be as low as -36. There is 24-hour daylight in Sanirajak from late May to late July; the sun is not seen from early December to about January 10.

The community is surrounded by beautiful landscapes, from the vast frozen bay to the rolling tundra and nearby mountain ranges. The community sits on a long, flat beach on the western shore of Foxe Basin. The Basin is completely iced in by November. The ice begins melting in May or June but it does not rapidly disintegrate until August.