The name Arviat comes from arviq, the Inuktitut name for bowhead whale. The community (population 2500 roughly) is on the western shore of Hudson Bay, north of Churchill, Manitoba. Arviat’s land and waters are rich in wildlife. The McConnell River Migratory Bird Sanctuary, south of town, is full of thousands of nesting waterfowl. In the fall, beluga whales are frequently seen in the bays around town and caribou are often spotted near the community. Arviat is a diverse community where traditional knowledge and values are maintained in harmony with practical economic development. The Inuktitut language remains very strong among residents.
