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Grise Fiord

Grise Fiord, located on Ellesmere Island, is the northernmost civilian community in Canada and is also known as Aujuittuq or “the place that never thaws out”.  Tourism is a growing industry, with the remoteness, wildlife, and spectacular scenery drawing people to the area for a unique experience.  The local people heavily rely on the many species of wildlife found in the area including polar bears, seals, walrus, narwhals, beluga whales, muskox, and migratory birds.

There are a variety of activities available including dog sledding, wildlife observing, hiking, igloo camping, sport fishing and hunting.  Local guides also provide snowmobile and boat trips to nearby locations.  Nirjutiqavvik, or Coburg Island National Wildlife Area, 100 km east of Grise Fiord, provides nesting habitat for hundreds of thousands of migratory birds.

Potential non-renewable resources in the region include: oil and gas, iron, coal, gold, diamonds, uranium, and base metals.

Land Use Planning

Approved Land Use Plan

Grise Fiord is located within the planning region of the North Baffin Regional Land Use Plan (NBRLUP). The NPC reviews all project proposals in and around Grise Fiord to determine if the proposed activities conform to the requirements of the NBRLUP.

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 January 31 & February 1, 2013, for community engagement meetings on the Draft Plan.

Information was presented and received from participants in Grise Fiord 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 January 31 & February 1, 2013 in Grise Fiord 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: 
Baffin
Population: 
141
86% Inuit
Longitude: 
82° 54.0' W
Latitude: 
76° 25.2' N
3,470 km north of Ottawa