The community of Whale Cove, or Tikirarjuaq (long point), is nestled within a bay, along the western shore of Hudson Bay. The cove is located north of Arviat, just south of Rankin Inlet. This community (with a current population of 392) was initially settled by three distinct Inuit groups (one inland and two coastal), who came to the area during the settlement development of the 1950s. Today, Whale Cove remains a mainly traditional community, with diverging dialects and cultures, originating from both inland and coastal traditions.

Naujaat (population approx. 855) lies directly on top of the Arctic Circle in eastern Nunavut. One of the last places in the Arctic to join the modern world, it is full of traditional Inuit life. The Inuktitut name, Naujaat, means “nesting place for seagulls”. Nesting grounds are located on cliffs five kilometers north of the community and every June the area is occupied by thousands of seagulls, as well as snow birds, loons, eider ducks, longtail ducks, and jaegers.

Rankin Inlet, or Kangiqtiniq (“deep bay/inlet” in Inuktitut) is the business and transportation hub of the Kivalliq region with a population of just under 2,700. Rankin is the gateway to Nunavut from Central and Western Canada. Due to the large volume of traffic through the area, as well as a history of regional government, mining and exploration, Rankin Inlet has developed a strong taskforce of entrepreneurs. Freight expediters, equipment suppliers and outfitters provide tourists and companies interested in doing business in the area with a wide variety of services.

Coral Harbour is on the southern shore of Southampton Island, on the northern rim of Hudson Bay. The Inuktitut name for the community is Salliq, "large flat island in front of the mainland," while the English name refers to the fossilized coral found in the harbour.  

Chesterfield Inlet is located on the northwest coast of Hudson Bay, just north of Rankin Inlet. Its traditional name is Igluigaarjuk, which translates to “place with a few igloos.”

Baker Lake, or Qamani’tuuq,is situated inland, at the huge widening of the mouth of the Thelon River, close to the geographic centre of Canada. Baker Lake (pop. 1,950) is well known for its arts and craft community. Artists and studios promoting local arts and crafts, such as the Inuit Heritage Centre, the Jessie Oonark Centre, and well-established independent art galleries, are assets to the community.

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.