Pond Inlet, Nunavut

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Pond Inlet, June 2005

Pond Inlet (Inuktitut: Mittimatalik, in English the place where Mitima is buried) is a small, predominantly Inuit community in Nunavut, Canada and is located at the top of Baffin Island. With a population of 1,220 people as of the 2001 census, ^[1] it is the largest of the four hamlets above the 72nd parallel and is part of the Qikiqtaaluk Region. Pond Inlet was named in 1818 by explorer John Ross for John Pond an English astronomer.

Its economy is largely service based with government as the largest employer. Small businesses that serve the community, tourism, and art work though are also found. Presently there is exploration into the viability of an iron and zinc mine located approximately 180 km south of Pond Inlet in the vicinity of Mary River. This iron ore deposit is one of the purest known deposits in the world.

As a tourist destination, Pond Inlet is considered one of Canada's "jewels of the North". It is one of the most picturesque communities with mountainous ranges viewable from all directions. Icebergs are most often accessible from the community within walking distance or a short snowmobile ride in winter. Pond Inlet boasts a nearby floe edge, several dozen glaciers, explorable ice caves, and many grand and picturesque inlets. Barren-ground Caribou, Ringed Seal, Narwhals and Polar Bears are just some of the wildlife that can be encountered while traveling out on the land. Nunavut also boasts one of Canada's newest national parks named after a majestic glacier that can be viewed north of the community on Bylot Island; Sirmilik National Park.

Pond Inlet is most readily accessible by airplane through a connection in Iqaluit, Nunavut's capital. The ocean is ice free for as long as three and a half months when tourist cruise ships visit and goods can be transported to the community by sealift cargo carrying ships. Fresh food such as fruits, vegetables and milk is flown from Montreal to Pond Inlet several times a week, a distance of about 2500 km. Because of such great distances the cost of food and other materials such as construction supplies can be much higher than that of southern Canada. Milk is approximately $3.75/L, and soda can be as much as $4.50/can and 1.8 L of Ocean Spray juice was as high as $41.99 in Sept. 2004.

Although the community is not more than 2.5 km long, snowmobiles and four-wheelers are the main modes of transportation. With the decentralization of the Nunavut government and increased economic opportunities in the community, the number of vehicles has been increasing tenfold.

Pond Inlet has two schools: Ulaajuk (elementary school) and Nasivvik (junior and high school). There are two major stores: the local Northern (North West Company Inc.), and the Toonoonik-Sahoonik Cooperative Limited. The latter, most often referred to simply as the Co-op, also operates a local hotel and other endeavours.