Rigolet, Newfoundland and Labrador

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Rigolet (population 350) is a remote, coastal Labrador Inuit community established in 1735 by French-Canadian trader Louis Fornel. Located on Hamilton Inlet, which is at the entrance to fresh water Lake Melville; Rigolet is on salt water and is accessible to navigation during the winter. Although there is no road access, the community is accessible by snowmobile trail, Rigolet Airport, or seasonally via a coastal ferry from Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Although there are still coniferous trees surrounding the village, a few kilometers northeast into Hamilton Inlet, the terrain changes drastically to a sub-arctic tundra. Minke and Humpback whales are commonly observed in nearby waters. Rigolet is part of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims area and is overseen by the Nunatsiavut government. Approximately 5% of Rigolet's population is non Inuit.