By the mid-20th, the Northwest Passage had been conquered just a few decades earlier, and there was increasing interest in the Arctic, both for military and commercial purposes. The Canadian government was anxious about its sovereignty over the High Arctic. At the same time, many Inuit had abandoned traditional lifestyles in part through governmental policies of assimilation, and many had become traders with outfits like the Hudson’s Bay Company. But the decline of the fur trade was leading to concerns about increasing Inuit dependence on government assistance. In a 1952 conference, officials saw a potential solution to both problems. By relocating “volunteers” to the high Arctic, Canada could strengthen its claims over the region and simultaneously help the Inuit to become more self-sufficient.
In 1953 seven families from Port Harrison in northern Quebec sailed north with the promise of improved standards of living, abundant hunting and the ability to return home after two years should they wish. They were joined by three families from the village of Mittimatalik on the northern end of Baffin Island, who were recruited with similar promises. These families were brought along to help the more southern families adjust to the conditions of the far North. In 1955 two more families from Mittimatalik joined four from Port Harrison on a similar journey.
The settlements were not as advertised. Some families were separated against their desires. In the first year, many had to live in canvas tents. Nearby herds were depleted and the settlers were only allowed to harvest one caribou. They were substantially fined if they violated the limits. Many had to scavenge food from the dumps of military bases, yet the RCMP would search their homes and confiscate any scavenged food. After two years, they were told they would have to pay their own way home if they wanted to leave, which most could not afford. Finally by the 1970’s and 80’s many relocated Inuits did return to their home communities, creating yet another separation from those who opted to stay in the north. It wasn’t until 1988 that the federal government acknowledged its responsibility and began paying for return visits or relocations. This Inuit High Arctic relocation program is looked upon as a dark chapter in Canadian history.
The village of Mittimatalik, the origin of seven of those relocated families, is known to the outside world as Pond Inlet, and this was our first stop in Canada.