In 1921, Hudson's Bay Company established a trading post in Pangnirtung, and two years later the Royal Canadian Mounted Police erected a permanent office. The first government appointed teacher arrived in 1956, which in 1962 was followed by the first administrative office.
There is also some confusion with the name. Residents of Pangnirtung will say that the real name of the town is Panniqtuuq, which means "the place of many bull caribou". However, residents early in 2005 declined a proposal to officially change the name, opting to continue with the meaningless Pangnirtung due to world marketing of the name for traditional arts.
Pangnirtung is the nearest town (1 hour by boat) to Auyuittuq National Park and is well known for weaving and printmaking. Parks Canada operates a visitor centre, which is located near the park office. The community also operates a turbot fishery.
While we're here, we'll visit the Pangnirtung Co-op, meet the artists and have a chance to buy some of the prints, carvings and weavings that have made "Pang" one of the great artist centres of the North.
You can visit Pangnirtung on our
Rock Odyssey Arctic Cruise, August 6 - 18, 2007.
Take a look at our
Pangnirtung Satellite map and Photo Gallery here.
