Qikiqtarjuaq
Qikiqtarjuaq (Inuktitut pronunciation: [qikiqtaʁjuˈaq]; formerly known as Broughton Island until November 1998 /ˈbrɔːtən/,) is a community located on Broughton Island in the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut, Canada. The island is known for Arctic wildlife (ringed seals, polar bears, bowhead whales, narwhals), bird watching at the Qaqulluit National Wildlife Area (qaqulluit is the Inuktitut word for northern fulmar). The community serves as the northern access point for Auyuittuq National Park and Pangnirtung is the southern access point.
Qikiqtarjuaq
ᕿᑭᖅᑕᕐᔪᐊᖅ | |
|---|---|
Qikiqtarjuaq in 2011 | |
Qikiqtarjuaq Qikiqtarjuaq | |
| Coordinates: 67°33′17″N 064°01′41″W | |
| Country | Canada |
| Territory | Nunavut |
| Region | Qikiqtaaluk |
| Electoral district | Uqqummiut |
| Government | |
| • Type | Hamlet Council |
| • Mayor | Harry Alookie |
| • MLAs | Mary Killiktee |
| Area (2021) | |
| • Total | 130.8 km2 (50.5 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 6 m (20 ft) |
| Population (2021) | |
| • Total | 593 |
| • Density | 4.5/km2 (12/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (EDT) |
| Canadian Postal code | |
| Area code | 867 |
Qikiqtarjuaq hosts an annual Suicide Prevention Walk. Local participants would walk a total distance of 60 km (37 mi) across the tundra from Kivitoo, an old whaling station. Today the walk is much shorter than the original two and a half days, but it is still meant to promote hope among the community.
The community hosts a two-week celebration over the Christmas and New Year period every year. Visitors are warmly welcomed and encouraged to join the festivities and games.
Near Qikiqtarjuaq was the home of FOX-5, a Distant Early Warning Line and now a North Warning System site.
In July 2011, Qikiqtarjuaq was featured in the BBC Radio 4 comedy series Cabin Pressure.