History of Kimmirut

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of the settlement now known as Kimmirut extends deep into the past. Inuit and their ancestors have used this territory on southern Baffin Island as a seasonal hunting and fishing ground for millennia. The modern name translates from Inuktitut as "heel," referring to a distinctive rock formation in the harbour.

For the Western world, this area was known for a long time as Lake Harbour. A significant milestone in its history was the early 20th century, when the first permanent structures appeared here. An Anglican mission was established in 1909, and by 1911, the Hudson's Bay Company opened a trading post here, making the settlement an important centre of attraction in the region.

Key Development Factors

The development of Kimmirut was facilitated by several geographic and economic circumstances that distinguished it from other settlements found throughout Canada:

• Geographic Location: A convenient and sheltered harbour on the shores of the Hudson Strait made this place an ideal anchorage for vessels, including whaling ships that visited here as early as the 19th century.
• Mining: In the early 1900s, mica mining began near the village. The mine operated for a short time, but it played a role in attracting attention to the region and establishing transport routes.
• Administrative Importance: In 1927, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) post was established here, cementing the settlement's status as a key administrative hub on the south of the island.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of the early period was built on a symbiosis of traditional lifestyle and external trade. Local residents exchanged furs (predominantly Arctic fox) and walrus ivory crafts for goods brought by traders. Kimmirut also became a centre for the development of Inuit art, particularly stone carving, which subsequently brought local masters worldwide fame.

Cultural life formed around the close interaction of the community. Despite the appearance of external institutions such as the church and police, the foundation of life remained traditional activities—hunting for seals, beluga whales, and caribou, which continue to play an important role in village life today.

Chronology of Development

• Before 1900: The territory of the modern settlement is used by Inuit ancestors as a seasonal camp for hunting and fishing for millennia.
• 1860s: Scottish and American whaling ships begin to appear regularly in the waters of the Hudson Strait, coming into contact with the local population.
• 1900: The Tay Whale Fishing Company opens a mica mine near the village, attracting local residents for work.
• 1909: The Anglican mission is founded, playing a key role in forming the permanent community now known as Kimmirut.
• 1911: The Hudson's Bay Company opens a trading post here, becoming the first on the southern coast of Baffin Island.
• 1927: A Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) post is established in the settlement to ensure law and order in this remote region of Canada.
• 1950s: The construction of a federal school and a medical station accelerates the transition of Inuit from a nomadic lifestyle to a settled one.
• 1962: The arrival of the first shipments of materials for building permanent housing marks the beginning of active village development.
• 1982: The settlement officially receives the status of a Hamlet and its own municipal government.
• January 1, 1996: The historic name is officially restored: the village of Lake Harbour is renamed Kimmirut, which means "heel" in Inuktitut.
• 1999: The locality becomes part of the new territory of Nunavut, formed as a result of changes to the country's administrative map.

Modern Vectors of Development

Although the administrative history of the settlement of Kimmirut is rich in events, its modern economic and cultural appearance has been shaped by other important processes. The transition from a trading post to a self-sufficient community would have been impossible without the development of transport, support for traditional arts, and local self-governance.

• Transport Accessibility: The construction of a proper airstrip was a turning point in the life of the community, which previously relied on navigation and dog sleds. Regular air service allowed the community to overcome geographic isolation, establish rapid delivery of food and medicine, and open the way for travellers exploring the north, for which Canada is famous.
• Centre of Stone Carving Art: Thanks to local deposits of high-quality ornamental stone (a special variety of serpentine), a world-renowned school of carving formed in the village. An important stage was the opening of workshops where local artisans began processing not only stone but also semi-precious minerals found in the vicinity—sapphires, garnets, and moonstones.
• Role of the Co-operative: The establishment of the local "Kimik Co-op" allowed residents to take control of the village's economic life. This organization became not just a store, but a central hub ensuring the sale of local masters' artworks to external markets, giving many families financial independence.
• Tourism Reorientation: In recent decades, the settlement's economy has received a new vector of development due to its proximity to Katannilik Territorial Park. The village has become the main starting point for eco-tourists and enthusiasts of rafting on the Soper River, which stimulated the creation of hospitality infrastructure and guide services provided by Indigenous residents.

Features of Northern Urban Planning

The architectural appearance of the settlement of Kimmirut differs strikingly from familiar urban landscapes. There are no high-rise buildings or classical European styles here; urban planning is entirely subordinate to the harsh climate and complex terrain. The village is organically integrated into the rocky landscape around Glasgow Inlet, where buildings do not form straight streets but are situated on plots suitable for construction, following the natural curves of the terrain.

A key feature of local development is adaptation to permafrost. Most modern structures are elevated above the ground on special stilts. This technical solution prevents the permafrost from thawing due to the heat of the buildings and protects the structures from snowdrifts, forming the recognizable "floating" silhouette of Arctic architecture.

Historical Heritage: Trading Post Style

The oldest and most historically significant buildings are those from the era of active fur trading, dating back to the early 20th century. This period left behind the characteristic "Hudson's Bay Company style":

• Frontier Functionalism: Simple rectangular forms, gable roofs, and the use of wood as the primary material.
• Colour Scheme: The traditional white cladding for trading posts with bright red trim on casings and corners.

A vivid example of this era is the preserved buildings of the old trading post. These buildings, once the centre of commercial life, are today historical monuments demonstrating how European building traditions adapted to the conditions dictated by Canada in its extreme north.

Modern Development and Colour Accents

In the second half of the 20th century, with the transition to a settled way of life, standard residential houses and public buildings appeared in the village. Modern architecture in Kimmirut is characterized by the use of modular constructions and bright colours. In conditions of the long polar winter and the prevalence of white and grey colours in nature, residents paint the facades of houses in saturated shades of blue, green, red, and yellow, which gives the settlement a cheerful and unique look.

Among the iconic modern structures, the Qaqqalik School stands out. Being the centre of social life, it combines modern energy-saving technologies with elements referencing Inuit culture, serving as an example of a postmodernist approach in an Arctic execution.

Famous Residents and Historical Figures

Despite its modest size and remoteness, Kimmirut is linked to the destinies of many people who left a noticeable mark on art, politics, and the history of Northern exploration. Famous stone carvers lived and created here, whose works are valued all over the world, as well as leaders who shaped the modern face of the Nunavut territory.

• Archibald Lang Fleming: A missionary known as "The Flying Bishop" and the first Bishop of the Arctic. In 1909, he founded the mission here, which became the core of the future settlement. Fleming not only preached but also deeply studied Inuit culture, contributing to the creation of a writing system and educational programmes.
• Robert Flaherty: A famous documentary filmmaker and explorer. In 1913–1914, even before creating his legendary film "Nanook of the North," he lived in the Lake Harbour area. Flaherty engaged in geological prospecting and cartography here, and also took the first unique photographs of the daily life of local residents.
• Iola Ikkidluak: An outstanding sculptor and carver. He is considered one of the most significant masters of the region. His works, especially incredibly realistic figures of muskoxen with detailed wool texture, are included in the collections of the National Gallery, of which Canada is proud.
• Joe Arlooktoo: A prominent political figure. A native of these parts, he went from a local leader to the Deputy Premier of Nunavut. Arlooktoo made a significant contribution to the establishment of the new territory and the protection of Indigenous peoples' rights to self-governance.
• Shorty Killiktee: A talented artist and sculptor. A representative of a famous artistic dynasty, he became famous for expressive works made from local green stone (serpentine), often depicting the wildlife of the Arctic and mythological subjects.
• David Joanasie: A modern politician. Elected to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut at a young age, he became an active advocate for the Inuktitut language and an initiator of reforms in the sphere of education for remote northern communities.