Kuujjuaq

View of the town

Kuujjuuaq (formerly Fort Chimo) is in the Nunavik region of Northern Quebec. It is the largest community in Nunavik, with a total population of 2,754 (2016). "Kuujjuaq" means "great river" in the Inuktitut language. After the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, a dam reduced the river’s flow.

Understand

Kuujjuaq is located on the west shore of the Koksoak River, about 50 km upstream from Ungava Bay, in the boreal forest. Black spruce and larch grow in the marshy valleys around the village. The annual migrations of the George River caribou herd pass through the region throughout August and September.

Inuktitut is commonly used, and many older people speak only that language. About 90% of the population is Inuit; anyone who is not Inuit is Qallunaat.

The village's hospital serves the population of Ungava Bay. The village has hotels, restaurants, stores, arts and crafts shops and a CIBC bank with 24-hour ATM.

History

Around 1830, the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) started the fur trade business in Nunavik by establishing a post on the east shore of the Koksoak River, about 5 km downstream from the present-day settlement. Inuit, Montagnais and Naskapi people came to trade at the post.

In 1942, a U.S. Air Force base (Crystal 1) was built on the west shore of the Koksoak River, where Kuujjuaq is now. The American presence between 1941 and 1945 sped up the development of the community. After the end of World War II, the United States turned the base over to the Canadian government. In 1948, a Catholic mission was established, followed by a nursing station, a school and a weather station. When the HBC moved upstream closer to the airstrips in 1958, it was followed by the remaining families that still lived across the river at Fort Chimo. In 1961, a co-operative was created.

Climate

In summer, expect bright sunshine, wind, rain and perhaps even snow. Pack long underwear, a fleece jacket, knitted hat, polarized sunglasses, insect repellent and protective clothing. Mosquitos can be particularly difficult in summer.

Snow can arrive as early as mid-September. In winter, blizzards can whip up in just a few hours.

Average regional temperatures:

• Winter: −23.6 °C (−10.5 °F)
• June: 6.8 °C (44.2 °F)
• July: 11.0 °C (51.8 °F)
• August: 10.4 °C (50.7 °F)
• September: 5.3 °C (41.5 °F)

Get in

With no roads connecting Kuujjuaq with the rest of Quebec, the only way into the town is through the airport.

Airport

• 1 Kuujjuaq Airport (YVP  ^IATA). As one of the few airports with paved runways in Nunavik, it serves as a hub for connecting flights to nearby communities. It has direct flights from Montreal and Iqaluit. (updated Jun 2022)

Airlines

• Air Inuit, toll-free: +1800-361-2965. Operates flights that connect to communities in Northern Quebec. Flies from Montreal (daily M-F, starting at $2100 roundtrip), and Sept-Îles (Su Tu Th, starting at $1750 roundtrip). On M W F, the flight from Montreal and Quebec City continues on to four other settlements in Nunavik: Kangirsuk, Quaqtaq, Kangirsuk, and Salluit. (All fees and taxes included in prices shown.) (updated Feb 2017)
• Canadian North, toll-free: +1-800-267-1247, contact@canadiannorth.com. A regional airline primarily operating flights in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, and flights travelling between that region and a few large cities in Canada. (updated Apr 2022) Flies non-stop from Montreal daily (2½ hours), starting at $2400 roundtrip (fees and taxes included); Iqaluit (1 hr 10 min) M W F starting at $540 roundtrip; and Rankin Inlet, Arviat and Baker Lake (W F). (All fees and taxes included in prices shown.)

Get around

• Ookpik Taxi, ☏ +1 819 964-0220. Bobby Snowball, Proprietor (updated Feb 2017)
• Location et transport Tivi Inc., 5205 Air­port Road, toll-free: +1-800-964-2465, info@tivinunavik.com. Offering a selection of four-wheel-drive pick-up trucks, SUVs, vans, station wagons and 12 passenger vehicles. Pick up your vehicle at the airport or at the company's business location. (updated Feb 2017)
• Johnny May's Air Charters, ☏ +1 819 964-1410. Air charters for tourists. (updated Feb 2017)

See

• 1 Old Chimo. Original settlement a few kilometres downstream on the opposite shore. (updated Jun 2022)

Do

Kuujjuaq Beach in late July

• Atlantic salmon and sea-run trout fishing
• Caribou hunting
• The Town Hall is sometimes used as a movie theatre

Buy

• Amautik Reg’d, ☏ +1 819 964-8860, a.gordon@nunavik-tourism.com. Retail - camping supplies (updated Feb 2017)
• Nunavik Marine Supply and Services Tourism - Adventure, ☏ +1 819 964-0242, nmss@tamaani.ca. Adventure tourism. (updated Feb 2017)
• Polar Adventures Inc., ☏ +1 819 964-0054, wattc@tamaani.ca. (updated Feb 2017)
• 1 Northern Store/Quick Stop, 920 Cercle Kaiviwik, ☏ +1 819 964-2877. M-F 08:00-20:00, Sa 08:00-17:00, Su 12:00-17:00. Groceries, clothing, hardware and home products. Fast food and other cooked meals. Coffee and other beverages. Gas station. (updated Jun 2022)

Eat

• Old Chimo Restaurant, ☏ +1 819 964-2233, dteonangoinc@tamaani.ca. (updated Feb 2017)

Drink

• 1 YVP Pub&Grill, 961 Makivik Rd, ☏ +1 819 964-1177. Tu-Th 17:00-23:00, F 17:00-00:00. Lounge with golf simulator. (updated Oct 2023)

Sleep

• 1 Auberge Kuujjuaq Inn, 550 Airport St, ☏ +1 819 964-2903, reservations@kuujjuaqinn.com. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 10:00. Dining room and restaurant (breakfast 08:00-10:00, lunch 11:30–13:30, dinner 17:00-20:00). Bar (M-Th Sa 17:00–22:30; F 17:00-00:00; Su closed). From $245. (updated Jun 2022)
• 2 Kuujjuaq Cooperative Hotel, Building 431 (corner of Ford Rd and Rue Katujivik), ☏ +1 819 964-2272. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 10AM. 32 rooms. Dining room and fully equipped kitchen for guests. Common area includes big-screen cable television. Free WiFi, coffee and tea in dining room, and access to laundry room from 5-9PM. Gift shop showcasing soapstone carvings and ivory jewellery. $235. (updated Feb 2024)

Stay healthy

• 1 Ungava Tulattavik Health Centre

Connect

Ice Wireless provides mobile phone service in this community.

Go next

• Yellowknife
• Iqaluit
• Rankin Inlet
• Arviat, Baker Lake, Kangirsuk, Quaqtaq, Kangirsuk and Salluit.