History of Repulse Bay

Foundation and First Mentions

The territory where Repulse Bay (officially renamed Naujaat) is located today has been inhabited by the Inuit and their ancestors from the Thule culture for the last millennium. For European cartography, this place was discovered by Captain Christopher Middleton in 1742. While searching for the Northwest Passage, he entered the bay but discovered that the path was blocked, naming the water area "Repulse Bay". The indigenous name of the settlement translates as "nesting place for seagulls".

Key Factors of Establishment

The transformation of a seasonal camp into a permanent settlement on the map of a state such as Canada was driven by several reasons:

• Geography and Navigation. The location of the town directly on the Arctic Circle made it a convenient base for Arctic expeditions, including the famous journeys of John Rae in the mid-19th century.
• Whaling Industry. In the 19th century, the bay became a popular wintering spot for American and Scottish whaling ships, which marked the beginning of regular contact with the outside world.
• Trade Expansion. A decisive factor was the opening of a Hudson's Bay Company trading post (approximately between 1916–1920), which stimulated the development of the fur trade and the transition of part of the population to a sedentary lifestyle.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of the early period was based on traditional use of natural resources: hunting caribou, seals, walruses, and narwhals. These resources provided residents with food, clothing, and materials for building homes. The cultural distinctiveness of the region lay in the harmonious combination of ancient Inuit traditions of survival in a harsh climate and the new opportunities brought by barter trade with Europeans. Local residents were famous for their skill in making clothing from skins and carving bone, which also became items of exchange.

Chronology of the Town's Development

• 1742. Captain Christopher Middleton, in search of the Northwest Passage, reaches these shores and maps the name Repulse Bay.
• 1846. Explorer John Rae builds the famous stone house (Fort Hope) for his expedition's wintering; its ruins have survived to this day.
• 1860s. The region becomes an important point for American and Scottish whalers, facilitating the start of active trade with the local population.
• 1916. The Hudson's Bay Company opens a permanent trading post here, which becomes a stimulus for the settlement's development.
• 1923. A Roman Catholic mission is founded, having a significant influence on the lifestyle of the local community.
• 1968. The federal government of the state of Canada launches a large-scale housing programme, shaping the modern appearance of the settlement.
• 1978. The locality officially receives the status of a village (Hamlet) and its own local self-government bodies.
• 1999. As a result of administrative reform, the settlement becomes part of the newly formed territory of Nunavut.
• 2002. Restoration of the historic stone church, which is an important architectural monument of the region, is completed.
• 2015. The settlement is officially returned to its traditional Inuit name, Naujaat, which translates as "nesting place for seagulls".

Stages of Formation and Development

The history of the transformation of a seasonal hunters' camp into the modern settlement of Repulse Bay (Naujaat) is inextricably linked with the exploration of the Arctic and the integration of the traditional Inuit way of life into the modern economic system. Several key milestones can be identified that determined the current appearance and status of the town:

• Establishment of the Trading Post (1916). The opening of a permanent Hudson's Bay Company post became the economic foundation of the settlement. This event involved local residents in the global fur trade, provided access to modern goods and tools, and stimulated the concentration of the population around the trading point.
• Establishment of the Catholic Mission (1923). The appearance of the first Roman Catholic mission played a huge role in the cultural transformation of the region. The mission became not only a religious centre but also an educational one, influencing the social structure and literacy of the population.
• Federal Housing Programme (1960s). During this period, the government of the state of Canada began an active campaign to build permanent housing in the Arctic. This led to the final transition of most Inuit from a nomadic lifestyle to a sedentary one, formed the street layout of the village, and created a need for municipal infrastructure.
• Obtaining Hamlet Status (1978). The assignment of the official status of an administrative unit (Hamlet) gave impetus to the development of local self-government. The settlement gained the opportunity to independently manage its budget, plan the development of city services, and improve the territory.
• Joining the Territory of Nunavut (1999). Administrative reform and the creation of a new territory governed by the Inuit brought significant political and cultural changes. This increased attention to the preservation of the Inuktitut language and traditional crafts, as well as attracted investment in the development of regional infrastructure.
• Return of the Historical Name (2015). The official renaming to Naujaat was an important symbolic step in the process of decolonisation and cultural revival. This event cemented the priority of Inuit heritage in the self-identification of residents and the branding of the town in the tourism market.

Architectural Appearance and Building Features

The architecture of the settlement of Repulse Bay (Naujaat) differs strikingly from the familiar urban landscapes of the south. There are no classic European styles like Baroque or Art Nouveau here. Urban planning in this region is subject to the harsh laws of the Arctic, where the main criteria are functionality, thermal insulation, and resistance to extreme weather conditions. The look of the village is formed by "Arctic functionalism"—a style combining modern construction technologies with the necessity of survival in a permafrost climate.

Stages of Urban Development

The development of the settlement can be roughly divided into several key stages, each of which left its mark on the layout and appearance:

• Traditional Stage (until the 20th century). The era of seasonal architecture. The Inuit used temporary dwellings: snow igloos in winter and skin tents (tupiqs) in summer. These structures fit perfectly into the landscape and left no traces after the community migrated.
• Missionary and Trading Period (1920–1950s). The appearance of the first stationary wooden and stone buildings. During this period, Canada began to establish itself in the Arctic through trading posts and missions. A characteristic feature of this time is the use of local stone and imported timber for the construction of small, sturdy structures with gable roofs.
• Period of Centralisation (1960–1980s). The beginning of mass construction of standard housing under government programmes. Recognizable frame box-houses, raised above the ground, appeared. Street layouts became regular, oriented for protection against prevailing winds.
• Modern Stage (from the 1990s). Construction of public buildings of complex shapes using modern composite materials, panoramic glazing (where permissible), and bright colour solutions to combat colour starvation during the polar night.

Characteristic Features and Iconic Buildings

The uniqueness of local architecture lies in engineering solutions. Most buildings in Repulse Bay stand on piles. This is necessary so that the heat from the house does not melt the permafrost beneath it, which could lead to foundation subsidence. The bright facades of the houses—orange, blue, green—serve as landmarks during blizzards.

Among the iconic structures forming the historical and cultural landscape, the following stand out:

• Stone Catholic Church. A unique example of adapting neo-Gothic elements to local resources. The building is constructed from local stone and clay, which is a rarity for the Arctic, where construction materials are usually brought from the "mainland". Restored in the early 2000s, it remains the architectural dominant of the village.
• Ruins of Fort Hope. Although not a building in the modern sense, the remains of the stone house built by explorer John Rae in 1846 are a crucial archaeological and architectural monument of the era of Northern exploration.
• Tusarvik School Building. An example of modern public architecture that serves not only as an educational institution but also as a centre of community life, uniting a gym, library, and assembly hall under one roof.

Distinguished Personalities

The history of the settlement of Repulse Bay (Naujaat) is inextricably linked with the names of brave pioneers, Arctic explorers, and modern leaders defending the rights of indigenous peoples. Here is a list of key figures who left a mark on the chronicles of this region:

• Christopher Middleton — British navigator and explorer.
  In 1742, commanding the ship HMS Furnace, he was the first European to enter the waters of the bay. It was Middleton who gave it the name Repulse Bay, when he realized it was a dead end and not the desired passage to the Pacific Ocean.
• John Rae — Scottish physician and polar explorer.
  In 1846, he chose this area for his expedition's wintering. Rae is known for being one of the first Europeans to adopt survival skills from the Inuit (using igloos, sleds, clothing made of skins). The stone house "Fort Hope" built by him is the main historical attraction of the town.
• Jack Anawak — Politician and public figure.
  A native of Repulse Bay who became a prominent figure in the political arena. He was a member of the House of Commons of the parliament of the country of Canada and held high posts in the government of Nunavut. Anawak dedicated his career to protecting Inuit rights and developing the North.
• Peter Irniq — Cultural leader and politician.
  Born in a traditional camp near the settlement. He served as the second Commissioner of Nunavut. Known as a keeper of traditions, a master builder of inuksuks, and an active promoter of Inuit culture at the international level.
• Knud Rasmussen — Danish anthropologist and ethnographer.
  During the famous "Fifth Thule Expedition" (1921–1924), he visited the region and spent much time with the local Inuit group—the Aivilingmiut. His records of legends, songs, and everyday stories became an invaluable source of knowledge about the spiritual culture of local residents before the onset of global changes.
• George Comer — American whaler, cartographer, and photographer.
  In the late 19th – early 20th century, Captain Comer regularly wintered in Hudson Bay. He not only conducted whaling but also compiled detailed maps of the area and took hundreds of unique photographs documenting the daily life of the Inuit of that era.