Arviat Selected as Site for Canada’s First Inuit-Led University

Arviat, a predominantly Inuit hamlet on the western shore of Hudson Bay in Nunavut, has been chosen as the location for the main campus of Inuit Nunangat University, Canada’s first Inuit-led university. The announcement, made by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, highlights Arviat’s role as an education leader and its strong connection to Inuktitut, the Inuit language. The university is expected to open in 2030, with construction beginning this summer.

Joe Savikataaq Jr., the mayor of Arviat, expressed his happiness about the selection, stating that the opportunity is not only for Arviat but for all of Nunavut and Canada. He emphasized that youth in the community will now be able to pursue university education without leaving home.

Located approximately 200km north of Churchill, Manitoba, Arviat is one of the most southerly and accessible Inuit communities in Nunavut. The hamlet, formerly known as Eskimo Point until June 1, 1989, derives its name from the Inuktitut word “arviq,” meaning “bowhead whale,” and translates to “place of the bowhead whale.”

With a population of about 3,200 people, Arviat is the second-largest community in Nunavut. The community remains closely tied to its traditional Inuit roots and has a vibrant arts and crafts industry. It is also becoming a centre for mine training and employment in the Kivalliq Region.

Construction of the main campus and a student residence will begin this summer, with 1,800 truckloads of gravel to be laid down at the site. The first cohort of students is expected in 2030.

About Arviat

Arviat is located on the western shores of Hudson Bay in the Kivalliq Region of Nunavut, Canada. The community sits at coordinates 61°06′30″N 94°03′30″W and has an elevation of 10 metres (33 feet). It covers a total area of 126.14 km² (48.70 sq mi), with a population centre of 2.42 km² (0.93 sq mi).

As of the 2021 census, Arviat had a total population of 2,657, giving it a population density of 22.7/km² (59/sq mi). The population centre had 2,766 residents with a density of 1,143.6/km² (2,962/sq mi). The community is in the UTC−06:00 time zone (CST), observing daylight saving time as UTC−05:00 (CDT).

Arviat is predominantly Inuit, with residents known as Arviaqmiut or Arviatmiut. The community’s postal code is X0C 0E0 and it uses area code 867.

Significance of the University

Inuit Nunangat University represents a major step forward for Inuit self-determination in education. By being Inuit-led, the university will prioritize Inuit knowledge, language, and cultural perspectives in its academic programming. The selection of Arviat acknowledges the community’s strengths in education and language preservation.

The university is expected to provide educational opportunities for Inuit across Nunangat, reducing the need for students to travel south for post-secondary studies. This development aligns with broader efforts to strengthen Inuit governance and self-reliance in key sectors such as education, healthcare, and economic development.

As construction gets underway, Arviat prepares to welcome a transformative project that promises to bring long-term benefits to the community and serve as a model for Inuit-led initiatives across Canada.