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Gjoa Haven

Gjoa Haven, located on the southeastern coast of King William Island, was an important site in the search for the Northwest Passage, and is named after explorer Roald Amundsen’s ship. The community attracts many history buffs and is home to the Northwest Passage Park and Territorial Trail. In Inuktitut, the community is known as Uqsuqtuuq, or “place of plenty blubber,” which refers to the abundance of sea mammals in the area.

Gjoa Haven is known as an excellent place for dog sledding, as well as observing a variety of wildlife including caribou, muskox, polar bear, geese, swans, falcons, and ducks.

Potential non-renewable resources in the region include: gold and diamonds.

Land Use Planning

Approved Land Use Plan

The community of Gjoa Haven is not yet covered by an approved land use plan. 

Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan

Between 2004 and 2011, NPC staff visited every Nunavut community to conduct individual “Use and Occupancy Mapping” interviews to collect information on traditional land use activities “within living memory”. This community land use information is included in the Draft Plan and has been used to support decision-making.

The Commission also visited the Community on March 24, 2014, for community engagement meetings on the Draft Plan.

Information was presented and received from participants in Gjoa Haven in accordance with Nunavut Planning Commission’s Engagement Strategy. The summary report of the Community Meetings on the Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan held on March 24, 2014 in Gjoa Haven can be found below.

The community views and comments have been very informative in the ongoing process of development and revisions of the Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan. In particular, all areas of importance identified by the community are included in the Draft Plan as “Community Priorities and Values”.

Fact Sheet
Region: 
Kitikmeot
Population: 
1064
95% Inuit
Longitude: 
95° 51.0' W
Latitude: 
68° 38.4' N
1,910 km northeast of Edmonton