A busy coastal hamlet on western Hudson Bay, Arviat, NU is a vibrant Inuit community known for strong land-based traditions, youth culture, and community pride.

About the Community
Arviat is located on the west coast of Hudson Bay in Nunavut’s Kivalliq Region, south of Rankin Inlet and north of Whale Cove. Its Inuktitut name is often translated as “place of the bowhead whale,” reflecting the deep relationship between Arviatmiut, the surrounding
waters, and local wildlife. The community blends active hunting and harvesting with a growing arts, youth, and cultural scene.

History
Padlei Co-op takes its name from Padlei, a former inland trading post area and from a nearby coastal island shaped like a bowhead whale, echoing Arviat’s close ties to the land and sea. The modern community grew through the mid-20th century as Inuit families from inland camps and coastal areas gathered here, forming today’s hamlet and local economy.

What the Co-op Provides
Padlei Co-op supports daily life in Arviat through a mix of essential services. Alongside community retail and food services, it operates Padlei Inns North and provides local
services such as cable TV, helping sustain jobs and reliable access to necessities in a remote setting.

Quick Facts
• Co-op services: Retail, food service, and Padlei Inns North
• Other Co-op role: Provider of cable TV service in the community

Meanings & Phonetic Spelling
• Co-op Name Phonetic Pronunciation: Pad-lee
• Full Co-op Name Syllabics: ᐹᓪᓕ ᑯᐊᐸᒃᑯᑦ ᑎᒥᖁᑎᖓᑦ
• Primary Indigenous Nation: Inuit
• Community Name Syllabics: ᐊᕐᕕᐊᑦ
• Community Phonetic Pronunciation: AhR-vee-aht