Pictured above: The Northern store in Qikiqtarjuaq, NU
Our Community Promise
The North West Company Inc. is proud of the active role we play within the communities we serve, striving to make a positive, progressive difference. Our contributions within the community of Qikiqtarjuaq, NU, are a testament to our commitment.
Qikiqtarjuaq is located on Broughton Island, north of the Arctic Circle and adjacent to the eastern coast of Baffin Island at Davis Strait. It is a relatively new community as it moved from its original location of Tisunaaq (known as Ceetee Land to the Elders) in 1950, close to the surrounding area of the NORAD military base. The community was incorporated as a hamlet in 1979 and was formerly known as Broughton Island until November 1998, when the hamlet took its traditional Inuit name Qikiqtarjuaq, which means “big island” and is fondly called “Qik.”
The cheerful community is nestled on the ocean amongst small mountains, strategically located for iceberg viewings, and is home to about 600 residents (as per Statistics Canada 2016 Census) whose spoken languages are Inuktitut and English. Qikiqtarjuaq is one of Nunavut’s closest communities to Greenland, and its residents are experts in navigating the challenging seas and rugged landscape. Nowadays, the community relies heavily on marine mammal harvesting and making and selling carvings and handicrafts.
Qikiqtarjuaq is only accessible by airplane, served by Qikiqtarjuaq Airport.
Did you know?
North West is proud of the positive impact we have on the community.
1. Employment: We are one of the most prominent employers in Qikiqtarjuaq, with our Northern store employing 10 individuals. Our commitment to local talent is demonstrated through our workforce consisting of 80% Indigenous employees.
2. Capital Investment: Northern has made a $1,332,770 capital investment in the Qikiqtarjuaq store over a 10-year period.
3. Annual Economic Impact: Northern is making a positive impact in Qikiqtarjuaq, with $658,139 annual economic impact in the community. *
Qikiqtarjuaq Northern Store Manager, Carrie Hobden, and her team are significant community supporters.
Pictured above: part of the Qikiqtarjuaq Northern Store staff.
“My husband and I are pretty new to the community as we arrived a week ago. We received a warm welcome to the community and the people here has been wonderful! They are a very close-knit and enjoy hunting and fishing - mostly for narwhals, polar bears and seal. We are very happy to be here and we look forward to learning more about the community and the culture,” said Hobden.
*For the year ending 2020