A historic Inuit hamlet on King William Island in the heart of the Northwest Passage, Gjoa Haven (Uqsuqtuuq) is where Arctic exploration history and living culture meet.

About the Community
Gjoa Haven is the only community on King William Island in Nunavut’s Kitikmeot Region, located along the storied Northwest Passage. In Inuktitut it is called Uqsuqtuuq (“place of plenty of blubber/fat”), a nod to the rich sea-mammal waters that have long supported Inuit life.

History
Gjoa Haven is the closest community to the wreck sites of HMS Erebus (found 2014) and HMS Terror (found 2016) from the Franklin Expedition, making it a key place in Canada’s
exploration story.

What the Co-op Provides
Gjoa Haven’s Co-op supports everyday life by supplying essential groceries, household goods, and practical northern necessities, while contributing local jobs and community services.

Quick Facts
• Inuktitut name: Uqsuqtuuq (“place of plenty of blubber/fat”)
• Known for: Amundsen’s 1903–05 wintering site, nearest hamlet to Franklin wrecks

Meanings & Phonetic Spelling
• Co-op Name Phonetic Pronunciation: Kih-KIK – tak
• Full Co-op Name Syllabics: ᕿᑭᖅᑕᖅ ᑯᐊᐸᒃᑯᑦ ᑎᒥᖁᑎᖓᑦ
• Primary Indigenous Nation: Inuit
• Community Name Syllabics: ᐅᖅᓱᖅᑑᖅ
• Community Phonetic Pronunciation: ORw-suk-toe