A remote High Arctic hamlet, Grise Fiord (Aujuittuq) is Canada’s northernmost public community and a powerful example of Inuit resilience.

About the Community
Known in Inuktitut as Aujuittuq (“place that never thaws”), Grise Fiord sits on the southern coast of Ellesmere Island in Nunavut’s Qikiqtaaluk Region. Surrounded by mountains, fjords, and sea ice, it experiences long winter darkness and 24-hour summer daylight. Inuit language, culture, and land-based living remain central to daily life.

History
Grise Fiord was established in 1953 during the High Arctic relocation, when Inuit families were moved from Inukjuak, Quebec as part of a sovereignty strategy. Despite harsh conditions and unfamiliar wildlife, residents adapted through Inuit knowledge and persistence. The community today carries this history with pride and remembrance.

What the Co-op Provides
The Co-op supports everyday life in this isolated region by supplying essential groceries, household goods, and practical services, while helping sustain local jobs and reliable access to necessities.

Quick Facts
• Inuktitut name: Aujuittuq (“place that never thaws”)
• Known for: One of the coldest inhabited places in the world
• Cultural features: Strong hunting and crafting traditions

Meanings & Phonetic Spelling
• Co-op Name Phonetic Pronunciation: Grease Fyord
• Full Co-op Name Syllabics: ᐊᐅᓱᐃᑦᑐᕐᒥ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᑯᐊᐸᒃᑯᑦ ᑎᒥᖁᑎᖓᑦ 
• Primary Indigenous Nation: Inuit
• Community Name Syllabics: ᐊᐅᔪᐃᑦᑐᖅ
• Community Phonetic Pronunciation: OW-you-ee-tuk