Infrastructure in the Canadian Arctic is being affected by climate change impacts such as permafrost thaw, coastal erosion, and changing temperatures and precipitation patterns. With this in mind, the Standards Council of Canada established the Northern Infrastructure Standardization Initiative
Chesterfield Inlet is located on the northwest coast of Hudson Bay, just north of Rankin Inlet. Its traditional name is Igluigaarjuk, which translates to “place with a few igloos.”
Chesterfield, with 390 inhabitants, is considered the “oldest” community in the Arctic, dating back to the 1920s. However, even before the white man came to the area, community living had long been established at Igluigaarjuk. Remains of a complex of sod houses are located just outside the town, where it is believed that over 700 people resided before contact with European culture. Today, the Chesterfield Inlet Historic Trail outlines the rich history of the area. For more information, visit www.chesterfieldinlet.net.