Lifestyle, Culture
and Area Wildlife

Life in Grise Fiord

Given the very far northern latitude of our community, we experience 24-hour darkness for about 3 months of the year, following which the sun peaks above the horizon early in February, and we then move towards 24-hour ‘sunshine’. The return of the sun is an exciting time for residents.

A little later in the spring children may be seen along Grise Fiord’s beach, small flowers begin to bloom on the tundra, and residents start to enjoy picnics out on the land. The icebergs that were frozen in place all winter begin to drift by (once the ice has broken up).

Given our small population we cannot be described as a “bustling metropolis” by any means. But certainly activity increases in the spring/summer season (and into the fall) as a few tourists arrive in town, cruises ships enter the fiord and visit the community, University and other academic researchers arrive to complete or continue various studies. Construction workers also begin to arrive, again to either complete or further the various development projects that are in the works (see the Projects and Initiatives Section of our website for more information on this).

Overall, life in Grise Fiord is very peaceful, and residents are surrounded by amazing scenery and wildlife, and marine mammals that often frequent our pristine community. And maybe more importantly, by friendly neighbours and co-workers that make Grise Fiord a great place to live or visit.

Wildlife

In Grise Fiord, and other communities in the Canadian Arctic, where local economies are supported with a mix of cash income and traditional subsistence, ‘harvested’ wildlife is very important to community residents. 

At the same time the opportunity to view wildlife, including various species of birds, is one of Grise Fiord’s most significant assets when it comes to attracting tourists.

Ringed seal is a key food source for community residents. Harp seals, and Bearded seals are two other species that also are harvested for their meat and skins.

Muskox may congregate close to the community, and are harvested for their meat, with their hides and horns providing a source of local income.

Polar bears periodically come close to the community, especially during parts of the winter when they are hungry. They may even eat the seal skins that are left by hunters. Ringed seals are their main source of sustenance. Polar bear is consumer by community residents and their dogs.

Beluga whales and harwhals may be seen at the flow edge in June, and in open water until October. They are a source of muktuk, or whale skin and blubber.

Walrus also frequent Grise Fiord, being prevalent at the flow edge, and are visible from the community. They are a source of food for residents, and are also valued for their ivory tusks.

Our Economy

Grise Fiord is situated in a very remote location and as such our economy is, to some degree, subsistence-based.

With many workers employed by Inuit organizations, the territorial government, or municipal government (largely funded territorially), these wage-based positions provide an important stimulus to the local economy.

There is also some tourism, including sports hunting, and the revenues earned by local guides and outfitting operations are an important source of income for many families.

The home-based ‘economy’ may include some carving, making traditional clothing and other Inuit crafts.

The arrival of cruise ships is becoming more frequent, and these may generate an economic impact for the community, depending on how long the travelers leave the ship for, and what goods are made available for sale by community residents. In addition to experiencing the community’s Inuit culture, travelers will hope to see seals, walruses, narwhal whales, beluga whales, muskox, and even polar bears.

There is no mining, or other major industry that provides a large economic impact to our community. While this means our economy is not bolstered by the associated revenues, it also means that the traditional Inuit way of life is sustained.