Rankin Inlet (Inuktitut: Kangiqiniq or ᑲᖏᕿᓂᖅ, meaning deep bay), is an active community of 2,800 people (2016) in mainland Nunavut. It is a government village and an air transport hub for travel between Nunavut and the centre and west of Canada.

Understand

The community of Rankin Inlet was formed next to a nickel mine in 1959, which employed most of the town's people. Rankin Inlet is well known for its strong winds in winter.

The town is the second largest community in Nunavut and before 1999, Rankin was a regional centre for the Northwest Territories government. After the signing of the accord which separated Nunavut from the Northwest Territories, Rankin Inlet became principally a political centre of the territorial claims. It is again growing rapidly and serves as a hub for countless companies and organisations.

With the development of a new gold mine and the opening of a correctional facility, the community is growing fast. Rankin hosts a wide range of recreational facilities like arenas for hockey and curling, a turf baseball diamond, and courts for volleyball, basketball, soccer and badminton. The community also boasts a football ground, an 18-hole golf course and playgrounds for children.

Rankin Inlet does not have any alcohol restrictions and alcohol can be imported for personal use.

Visitor information

• 1 Kivalliq Regional Visitor Centre (Nunavut Tourism), 131 Sivulliq Ave, ☏ +1 867 645-3838. M-F 9AM–5PM. 

Get in

By plane

There are no roads to Rankin Inlet that connect to the rest of Canada.

Airport

• 1 Rankin Inlet Airport (YRT  ^IATA), ☏ +1 867-645-3403. Rankin Inlet is the waystation for flights between Iqaluit and Yellowknife.  
  • Flights to Rankin Inlet from Iqaluit (2 hours), Winnipeg (2.5 hours), and Yellowknife (2 hours).

Airlines

• Calm Air, toll-free: +1-800-839-2256. A regional airline operating flights in Manitoba and Nunavut. (updated Apr 2022)
• Canadian North, toll-free: +1-800-267-1247, contact@canadiannorth.com. A regional airline primarily operating flights in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, and flights traveling between that region and a few large cities in Canada. (updated Apr 2022)
• Kivalliq Air, toll-free: +1-877-879-8477. Operates charter and air ambulance services. (updated Mar 2015)

Get around

Rankin Inlet is very small, so one could reasonably get around by foot.

• S&G Taxi, ☏ +1 867 645-4000. (updated Mar 2015)
• Fluffy's Taxi, ☏ +1 867 645-2233. (updated Mar 2015)

See

Inunnguaq (a human-like statue), a type of inukshuk (stone landmark)

• 1 Inukshuk. 24 hours. (updated Mar 2015)
• 2 Matchbox Gallery, 143 24th Ave, ☏ +1 867 645-2674. An Inuit ceramic and art gallery. (updated Mar 2015)

Do

The midnight sun adds a magical element to travel in the Arctic! Rankin Inlet doesn't have 24-hour sunny days, but winter is the time of darkness. Light starts to disappear mid-October and usually does not rise again until Christmas. There are only about four hours of twilight during this time, but the light starts to return in January.

A visit in autumn or winter gives you a chance to see one of Earth's most spectacular phenomena – the Aurora Borealis. They can be easily seen from October to March in the centre of the community, but by taking a walk out of the town, they can be more spectacular. Inuit people have many legends about the auroras, which can be heard by talking to people in Rankin.

A walk five minutes outside the community will give you the opportunity to see terrain which appears untouched by humans. You will most likely discover the siksiit. Spring and summer brings squirrels, which are everywhere, chattering incessantly from their perches, as do peregrine falcons and gyrfalcons. Keep a watchful eye on the area to see loons, geese, swans and cranes, which will keep photographers busy.

• 1 Iqalugaarjuup Nunanga Territorial Park, ☏ +1 867 975-7700, parks@gov.nu.ca. Iqalugaarjuup Nanang Historical Park provides a half day of adventure and is a favourite spot for hiking, fishing and bird watching. The archaeological site of Thule near the Ijiraliq River offers a historical perspective. Although water from the Rankin Inlet valve is treated and safe to drink, many locals use the river as a source of fresh water during the spring and summer. Visitors can plunge into stone age culture while visiting this park and take a glimpse at ancient Inuit Arctic traditions. (updated May 2020)
• 2 Marble Island. Marble Island figures prominently in Inuit traditions and received the special designation of area of exclusive possession in the accord which separated Nunavut from the Northwest Territories. A boat trip to Marble Island located nearby offers a beautiful contrast with the purple flowers of dwarf fireweed growing amongst the rocks. The tombs of the crew of the Knight Expedition from 1921 are still visible on Dead Man Island. At low tide on clear days, one can clearly see the silhouette of the whaling ship, the Orray Taft, which sank near the island in 1893.  

Hockey forms part of the Rankin Inlet community. Rankin is particularly involved since it is the hometown of hockey player Jordin Tootoo (of the NHL Detroit Red Wings). In addition, there are major hockey tournaments held in the community each year. In April the annual Pakallak Time festival is held, offering outdoor games and competitions, dog sled racing and snowmobile racing. May hosts the annual fishing tournament that attracts people from other communities. July 9 is Nunavut Day which is celebrated with pride throughout the territory. In autumn, the community usually hosts the annual trade show for Kivalliq Region inviting companies from all seven communities in the region.

During the holidays there are organized events, including snow sculptures, games, talent shows, concerts, craft sales, pageants, dog sled races and snowmobiling. Traditional sports like "one foot high kick," "two foot high kick," "arm pull," "knuckle hop", "head sweater", "airplane" and others are still practiced in the community and are presented at many events throughout the year.

Events

February/March

• Sakku. First Avataq Cup. 

April

• Pakallak Time. The most popular of the annual events, Pakallak Time includes a sled race, snowmobile races, igloo building and community celebrations. 
• Hamlet Day. Involves a barbecue with the community, square dancing at the arena and outdoor games. 

June

• National Aboriginal Day. This is an event across Canada and is celebrated on June 21 every year. 

July

• Canada Day. 1 July. Communities across the country organise celebrations often including parades. 
• Nunavut Day. 9 July. Nunavummiut celebrate the "Agreement on the Nunavut Land Claims Act and the Nunavut Act," with the Nunavut Day. All government offices are closed to mark this occasion. 

Buy

There are many shops in Rankin which sell the work of local artisans and artists. Matchbox Gallery represents highly qualified artists who produce beautiful ceramic sculptures and carvings of stone, bone and antler, wall hangings, paintings and original prints. The work of many of these artists can be seen at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa.

Ivalu represents small businesses in many Inuit communities in Nunavut. Here you will find sealskin clothing, knitted hats and vests, sculptures, jewellery and meat products.

Andy's Airport Gift Shop also offers original art pieces, jewellery, pottery, and clothing. The Co-op store and Kissarvik Siniktarvik Hotel shop sell sculptures and crafts.

• 1 Northern Store, Tupirvik Ave, ☏ +1 867 645-2823. General store and grocery. 
• 2 Kissarvik Co-Op, ☏ +1 867 645-2801, fax: +1 867 645-2280, info@arcticco-op.com. Grocery store, also provides cable television services and property and video rentals for residents of the community. (updated Mar 2015)
• 3 Ivalu Ltd., ☏ +1 867 645-3400. Equipment and supplies, arts and crafts, gifts. (updated Mar 2015)
• 4 Truserv Kativik, Building 93, ☏ +1 867 645-3280. Clothing, hobbies. arts and crafts, electrical goods. (updated Mar 2015)
• 5 Quick Stop, Tupirvik Ave. Convenience store with a Tim Hortons counter. (updated Mar 2015)
• 6 Kivalliaq Arctic Foods, 10-3 Kajjuk St (Near Royal Bank), ☏ +1 867 645-3137, tundra@qiniq.com. Meat processing plant which sells a range of packaged and frozen locally harvested Arctic char fillets. Caribou, muskox and whale skin are also available when in season. (updated Apr 2024)

Eat

• 1 Turaarvik Inns North Restaurant, Mivvik St, ☏ +1 867 645-4955, fax: +1 867 645-4956. Dining room and daily menu. (updated Mar 2015)
• The Captains Galley Restaurant ((in Siniktarvik Hotel & Conference)), ☏ +1 867 645-2022. 8AM-6PM. (updated Mar 2023)

Drink

Bars and other nightlife are practically nonexistent in Nunavut, where alcoholism is a problem for many inhabitants. These restrictions are so strongly applied that the police search the bags of people entering the territory. All alcohol entering dry communities is rapidly confiscated. Rankin Inlet is one of the rare places outside Iqaluit where alcohol can be legally served. Two main bars - and hotels - in Rankin are authorised to sell alcohol within their premises: Siniktarvik Hotel and the Nanuq Inn, whose license is limited to guests.

Sleep

• 1 Siniktarvik Hotel and Conference Centre, Mavvik Ave, ☏ +1 867 645-2807, fax: +1 867 645-4956. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Though not as great as most hotels further south, this hotel is calm and comfortable. $319+. (updated Mar 2024)
• 2 Katimavik Suites and Conference Centre, 552 Tupervik Ave, ☏ +1 867 645-2275, toll-free: +1-855-333-5366, fax: +1 867 645-2225, suites@eplsgroup.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Laundry facilities, free airport shuttle. $300. (updated Mar 2024)
• 3 Turaarvik Inns North Hotel, Mivvik St, ☏ +1 867 645-4955, fax: +1 867 645-4956. $249+. (updated Mar 2024)
• 4 Nanuq Lodge, 1 Atausiq St, ☏ +1 867 645-2650, fax: +1 867 645-2640, nanuq@qiniq.com. 
• 5 Tara’s Bed and Breakfast, 222 Uqaqci St Suite 106, ☏ +1 867 645-3478, fax: +1 867 645-3538. Colleen Napier. 

Stay safe

• 2 Health centre. (updated Mar 2015)
• 3 Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) (Gendarmerie royale du Canada), ☏ +1 867 645-1111. (updated Mar 2015)
• 4 Fire services. (updated Mar 2015)
• Kivalliq Wildlife Offices (Rankin Inlet District offices), ☏ +1 867 645-8084. (updated Mar 2015)

Connect

Internet

• High-speed wireless internet is available in all parts of the community, and providers include Netkaster, NorthwesTel and Qiniq (available in every community).
• Only mobile phones from Bell work well in Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet.
• 5 Ilitaqsiniq Library (Within the school complex), ☏ +1 867 645-2121, info@nunavutliteracy.ca. M-F 9AM-noon and 6-8PM, Sa 10AM-4PM (closed Su). (updated Apr 2023)

Radio

• CHAR-FM (92.7 FM) – James Sandy
• VF2410 (97.9 FM) – Municipality of Rankin Inlet
• CBQR-FM (105.1 FM) – CBC North – public news/talk

Newspaper

• Kivalliq News – published every Wednesday, $1.00.

Post

• 6 Canada Post (Poste Canada), Rankin Inlet, ☏ +1 867 645-2680. (updated Mar 2015)

Go next

• Iqaluit
• Gjoa Haven
• Yellowknife