Arviat, Nunavut, formerly known as Eskimo Point until June 1, 1989, is a predominantly Inuit hamlet nestled on the western shore of Hudson Bay in the Kivalliq Region of Nunavut, Canada. The name "Arviat" translates to "place of the bowhead whale" in Inuktitut, derived from the word "arviq" meaning "Bowhead whale". Historically, it was also known as Tikirajualaaq ("a little long point"), and Ittaliurvik, ("a place where the people make tents").
As per the 2021 Canadian census conducted by Statistics Canada, Arviat, Nunavut, had a population of 2,864 living in 632 of its 694 total private dwellings. This was a 7.8% increase from its 2016 population of 2,657. With a land area of 126.14 km2 (48.70 sq mi), it had a population density of 22.7/km2 (58.8/sq mi) in 2021.
Arviat, Nunavut, is the southernmost community on the Nunavut mainland and is close to the geographical centre of Canada. The primary languages spoken here are Inuktitut and English. It is the third-largest population in Nunavut, behind Rankin Inlet and Iqaluit. The community saw a population increase of 14.6% from the 2011 to the 2016 Canadian census. The current mayor of Arviat is Joe Savikataaq (Jr.).
The hamlet of Arviat is home to a Tim Hortons in the Northern Store and a self-serve Tim Hortons in the Quick Stop (owned by Northern Store). The community became a hamlet under the name Eskimo Point (name first appeared on maps in 1738) in 1977. Cargo and passenger air service is provided by Calm Air, Canadian North, and Nolinor Aviation (charter only) out of Arviat Airport. Destinations include other settlements in Nunavut and Manitoba, including Winnipeg.
Hunting and fishing are very active in the community; they are the primary source of sustenance. Four locally operated stores - Padlei Co-op, Northern Stores, Arctic Connection, and Eskimo Point Lumber Supply - carry a wide range of products.
Arviat, Nunavut, is well known around the Arctic for its artistic qualities. It is a thriving community with many talented musicians: Susan Aglukark, a well-known musician; Simon "Johnny Cash of the North" Sigyariaq; the band Uniaqtuq, with Arsene, Pelagie, and Mary Angalik; the Arviat Band, with John and Billy Kuksuk, Paul Kattau, and others; the Irksuk band, played by Paul Irksuk and sons. All have had CDs recorded commercially.
Many types of wildlife are abundant in Arviat, Nunavut. Within the vicinity of Arviat, polar bears, millions of migratory birds, beluga whales, and caribou are often spotted. The Hudson Bay Quest sled-dog race was run from Churchill to Arviat for the first time in 2004.
The community of Arviat, Nunavut, has been served by the Qiniq network since 2005. Qiniq is a fixed wireless service to homes and businesses, connecting to the outside world via a satellite backbone. The Qiniq network is designed and operated by SSI Micro. In 2017, the network was upgraded to 4G LTE technology, and 2G-GSM for mobile voice.
According to the Köppen climate classification, Arviat, Nunavut, has a subarctic climate (Köppen Dfc). However, using Nordenskjöld's alternate formula for distinguishing Arctic from subarctic climates, it has a polar climate (Köppen ET); as expected from this, it is north of the Arctic tree line. Spring is slow to warm up, with June being cooler than September and May cooler than October. With a yearly mean of −9.3 °C (15.3 °F), it is the third-warmest in Nunavut and the maximum of 33.9 °C (93.0 °F) recorded on 22 July 1973 is second only to that of Kugluktuk. Arviat has a yearly rainfall of 174.4 mm (6.87 in), the fourth-wettest in Nunavut, but only 112.4 cm (44.3 in) of snow, the third-least. Temperatures above freezing have never been recorded between 18 November and 17 March, inclusive; conversely, accumulating snow has never been recorded in July or August.
