A welcoming Inuit hamlet with deep Cold War roots and rich wildlife, Sanirajak is a place where tradition and Arctic life meet every day.

About the Community
Sanirajak (formerly Hall Beach) is located on the eastern coast of the Melville Peninsula in Nunavut’s Qikiqtaaluk Region, about 69 km south of Igloolik. The community lives within a classic Arctic tundra setting, with long, very cold winters and short, cool summers, where sea ice, open-water seasons, and daylight cycles shape travel, harvesting, and daily routines.

History
Sanirajak was established in 1957 during the construction of a Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line site, making it part of Canada’s High Arctic Cold War defense network. The community still hosts a North Warning System radar facility, and traces of this military history remain visible in the area. In 2020, the hamlet officially reclaimed its Inuktitut name, Sanirajak.

What the Co-op Provides
The Co-op supports key essentials for a remote Arctic community, including groceries, household supplies, and daily-use goods, while also contributing to employment and reliable access to necessities through the northern Co-op network.

Quick Facts
• Former name: Hall Beach (renamed Sanirajak in 2020)
• Known for: DEW Line / Cold War history and ongoing radar presence
• Community highlight: Hamlet Day (April 1) with feasts, games, and dancing to celebrate returning continuous daylight

Meanings & Phonetic Spelling
• Co-op Name Phonetic Pronunciation: Hall Beach
• Full Co-op Name Syllabics: ᓴᓂᕋᔭᒻᒥ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᑯᐊᐸᒃᑯᑦ ᑎᒥᖁᑎᖓᑦ
• Primary Indigenous Nation: Inuit
• Community Name Syllabics: ᓴᓂᕋᔭᒃ
• Community Phonetic Pronunciation: SAH-nee-rah-YAK