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Resolute Bay (Qausuittuq)
Location
74°42’N, 94°50’ W. Elevation 67 m at the airstrip. 1561 air km NE of Yellowknife, 3443 air km NW of Montreal, in the Baffin Region. On the northeast shore of Resolute Bay on the south coast of Cornwallis Island, in the Queen Elizabeth islands.
Topography
In flat table-land with bluffs at the coast, on low limestone and shale shore south of landmark Signal Hill (183 m).
Climate
Average annual precipitation: 5.3 cm rainfall, 84 cm snowfall, 13.0 cm total precipitation. July mean high 10 °C, low 1.4°C. January mean high -28.4 °C, low -35.7 °C. Winds N-NW at 21.5 km/h.
History
From archaeological excavations, it has been concluded that there have been at least three stages of occupation at Resolute Bay. The Dorset culture was the first, followed by an early phase of the Thule culture, in which the artifacts found show strong Alaskan affinities. These were probably both short periods of occupation, possibly by only a few families. A late or developed phase of the Thule culture was of longer duration, with a considerably larger population. Resolute Bay was named after H.M.S. Resolute, one of the ships in the Franklin search expedition commanded by Captain H.T. Austin. An airfield was established at Resolute Bay in 1947 during construction of a joint US-Canadian weather station. In 1953, Inuit from Port Harrison, Quebec and Pond Inlet were relocated to Resolute to take advantage of the island’s superior game resources. The community has become a key transportation, communications and administrative centre. A new townsite was completed in 1977. With oil and gas exploration in the High Arctic Islands, and the development of Cominco’s Polaris mine on Little Cornwallis Island, the community should continue to maintain its importance as an area centre for some time to come.
Demography
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Population: 1991 census, 250.
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1986 sex distribution: 59% male, 41% female.
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1986 age distribution: 0-4, 16%; 5-14, 22%; 15-64, 62%, 65+, 0%
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1987 ethnic distribution: 0% Dene/Metis, 68% Inuit, 32% non-native.
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Languages spoken: Inuktitut, English.
Political Organization
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Hamlet status, as of Jan 01, 2006
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Mayor: Susan Sullvaniq
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Senior Administrative Officer: Joshua Hunter
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Hamlet Office: (867) 252-3616; fax (867) 252-3749
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Email: hamletrb@polarland.com
Economy
Major activities -- Scientific Research, Arctic Expeditions, NASA MARS Project
Banks -- Interact banking machine available at the Co-op.
Co-ops -- Resolute Bay Eskimo Co-operative Limited
Renewable Resources --
Fish: Arctic Char;
Marine Mammals: Ringed Seal, Harp Seal, Bearded Seal, Beluga, Narwhal, Walrus;
Game: Arctic Fox, Wolf, Polar Bear, Muskox; Quotas: Muskox, 19; Polar Bear, 38
Total number of trappers (1987-88): 8
Total dollars earned: $6 800
Renewable Resources Officer: Tabitha Mullen
Non-renewable Resources --
Minerals: Lead/zinc. Cominco Polaris Mine, Little Cornwallis Island 129 km N.
Oil and Gas: High Arctic Islands exploration, Western Sverdrup Basin
Tourism -- Base for Arctic island tours; photographic expeditions, fishing, polar ice cap sights; facilities for visitors.
Prices and Income -- Private Households Average Income, 2002: $45,000. Food prices, 2002: 95% higher than Yellowknife.
Local Hotels
Narwhal Hotel
PH: 867-252-3968
FX: 867-252-3960
E-mail: narwhal@polarnet.ca
Hotel and restaurant
Qausuittuq Inns North
PH: 867-252-3900
FX: 867-252-3766
E-mail: tudjaatcoop@polarland.com
Website: www.innsnorth.com
Hotel & public restaurant, tour operators.
South Camp Inn
PH: 867-252-3701
FX: 867-252-3663
E-mail: scinn@internorth.com
Website: www.southcampinn.com
Hotel and restaurant, tour operators
Transportation
Air (Take-offs and landings, 1988-89: 5 670)
Airport Operator: Transport Canada
Airport Facilities: Licensed 1981 m x 60 m (Rwy 16-34) and 1219 m x 46 m (Rwy 10-28) gravel runways, taxiways and apron; Airfield lighting including high intensity runway edge, threshold, end, approach, identification lights (Rwy 10-28), taxiway/apron edge lights, rotating beacon, lighted wind socks; Navaids - NDB, VOR/DMW, VOT, VDF, ILS/DME; air terminal building.
Services:Flight Service Station (FSS) - Weather/Communications/Flight Planning; Scheduled airfield maintenance; Aircraft storage/servicing/minor repairs available; Crash firefighting and rescue services; Aircraft plug-ins available.
Scheduled Service: First Air via Iqaluit/Montreal and Kenn Borek Air Ltd.
Charter Service: Kenn Borek Air Ltd.
Water
Eastern Arctic Sealift; Barge service: operator, Transport Canada from Montreal.
Communications
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Postal Code: X0A 0V0. Mail five times a week
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Telephone: NorthWest Tel (Anik), local and long distance.
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Radio: CBC Radio (Anik)
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Television: Cable Television (StarChoice)
Medical/Social Services
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Community Health Centre: two beds, one bassinet, one crib
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Medical staff: 2 person
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Social Service Facilities: one person Community Social Services office; Alcohol and Drug Committee
Education
Housing and Accommodation
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NWT Housing Corporation units (2002): 32
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HAP housing allocations 1980-89: 5
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GNWT staff housing units: 2 houses
Recreation and Culture
Community hall, outdoor skating rink, playground.
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