Sanikiluaq is located on the Belcher Islands in Hudson Bay and is the most southern community in Nunavut. The Belcher Islands are a large archipelago of about 1,500 islands that provide important breeding habitat for many species of ducks and geese.
Sanikiluaq offers a variety of outdoor activities such as sea kayaking, canoeing, hiking, cross-country skiing, hunting, and fishing. Bird tours are popular and local outfitters are well-equipped to arrange boat, kayak, and snowmobile trips, as well as year-round adventure camping in tents or igloos.
The community is known for producing elaborate baskets and carvers from Sanikiluaq are world renowned for their distinctive carvings made from local soapstone.
Land Use Planning
Approved Land Use Plan
The community of Pangnirtung 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 May 7-8, 2013 for community engagement meetings on the Draft Plan.
Information was presented and received from participants in Sanikiluaq 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 May 7-8, 2013 in Sanikiluaq 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”.