By Paul Bryers, August 29, 2025

• Gjøa Haven, Nunavut, Arctic Canada.

Upon arrival by zodiac, we registered and met some of the friendly locals.

Gjøa Haven, also known as Uqsuqtuuq in Inuktitut, translates to “place of plenty blubber,” referring to the abundance of sea mammals in the area. Alternatively, it could also refer to some of us guests on MV Fridjtof Nansen who have been indulging in the Arctic cuisine. One guest even remarked that my t-shirts were too tight, a comment that was both shockingly rude and potentially true.

Gjoa Haven is renowned for its excellent dog sledding opportunities and diverse wildlife, including caribou, muskox, polar bear, geese, swans, falcons, and ducks. During our visit, we spotted some dogs. Crickets…

Historically, the town’s population has grown significantly, from 110 residents in 1961 to 1,349 in 2021, according to the census, as many Inuit have relocated from traditional camps to access healthcare and educational facilities.

The town comprises numerous cabins, each with its unique appearance.

The Naeselik Heritage Centre showcases various artifacts from the Inuit past, although it was extremely hot inside during our visit.

The community is served by the Gjoa Haven Airport and an annual supply sealift; this ship was in during our visit.

The area is home to CAM-CB, a North Warning System site for incoming missiles. Comforting.