Old Stone Church Kugaaruk Nunavut Canada Postcard

This postcard features an old stone church in Kugaaruk, Nunavut, Canada. The native people are Arviligjuaqmiut (‘people of the place of many bowhead whales’). They are Netsilik Inuit descendants of the ancient Thule people and they have lived in the region around Kugaaruk for over a thousand years. Living a nomadic lifestyle until the 20th century, the Netsilingmiut are one of the last indigenous northern peoples to have any contact with Europeans. In 1935, the first missionary, Father Pierre Henri, arrived there, and in 1941, with the help of Father Franz Van de Velde, they built a small church out of stones. However, they soon found out that the stones weren't a good insulator from the cold. They decided to adopt the Inuit ways and live in igloos wearing traditional Inuit clothing. Inuit people would meet here for Christmas celebrations then separate again to pursue their nomadic lives. Kugaaruk is now restoring the old stone church as an important historic site. Photo credit: Northern Pix, (CC BY 2.0). Enjoy your new Old Stone Church Kugaaruk Nunavut Canada postcard!