Pangnirtung (“the place of the male caribou” in inuktitut) is the second city of the autonomous territory of the Nunavut, with the Canada. It is located on the island of the Baffin Island, vis-a-vis the Baffin bay and with the Greenland, beyond the Polar circle Arctic, to 300 km of the territorial capital of Iqaluit.

The name of the east city often shortened in “ Pang ”.

History

Place of hunting for the caribou of the people Inuit, the site becomes a base of whalers states-uniens and Scottish. The Compagnie of Hudson Bay founds a counter then there.

Pang, is the diminutive of Pangniqtuuq or Pangnirtung (anglicized name)

In 1930, a church Anglican is open.

In 1969, the Canadian government arrives at the Sédentarisation of the inhabitants while establishing in “Pang” of the medical departments and school.

In 1999, at the time of the accession to the autonomy of the Nunavut, Pangnirtung accommodates several ministries for the territory: social Education, Sustainable development and Health-Services.

• the federal administration of the National parks there is also established and manages:
• the national park of Auyuittuq (“country where snow never melts”), in the north of Pangnirtung, whose visit is limited to 450 people per annum because of the presence of polar bears.
• the national park of Sirmilik, in the north of the Baffin Island, close to the mining city of Nanisivik.
• the national park of Quttinirpaaq, in the north of the island of Ellesmere.
• This federal service attracts the tourists since they must be declared before penetrating in these parks.

Population

1.350 inhabitants.

Economy and company

In order to fight against the Alcoholism, the municipal council decided on a statute of “dry city”: the trade of the alcohol is interdict with Pangnirtung.

Unemployment rate is of 40%, but a treatment plant of fish offers forty employment. The processed fish are ombles Arctique, Turbot S and Flétan S.

Existence of a workshop of prints and tapestries

Sources

Jacqueline April, “At the Inuit of the Nunavut”, article published in the Topicality , Montreal, Quebec, Canada; reproduced in international Mail n°693 of February 12th 2004, France.

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