Page 375 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Canada

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A modern version of Baker Lake
the stone cairns built by
the Inuit, in Rankin Inlet ~ § (867) 793 2456
∑ bakerlake.ca
northern tip of the island. This Geographically, Baker Lake
ranks among the world’s most lies at the center of Canada
remote wildlife destinations, and is the country’s only
and is accessible only by plane. inland Inuit community.
Note that the park is best Located at the source of the
accessed from the NWT. Thelon River, in Nunavut,
Split between the the area has always been a
North west Territories and traditional summer gathering
Nunavut, Victoria Island has a place for the Inuit. Its Inukitut
town in each: Ulukhaktok in name is Qamani’tuaq, mean-
NWT and the Inuit Cambridge ing “where the river widens.”
Bay in Nunavut, where local Today, Baker Lake is an
Aboriginal people traveled important center for Inuit
each summer for char fishing, art, especially textiles.
and caribou- and seal-hunting. Heading westward, at the
The town today is a service Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary
center for locals and visitors visitors can see herds of musk
along the Arctic coast. Polar ox in their natural habitat and
9 bears, musk ox, wolves, and glimpse other indigenous
Arctic birds live nearby.
animals and birds.
Banks Island and
Victoria Island Aulavik National Park Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary
~ n 1 800 661 0788 " ⌂ Sachs Harbour § (867) ⌂ 186 miles (300 km) W of
777 8800 # Daily, weather Baker Lake § (867) 975
Located in the Arctic Ocean, permitting 7700 # Daily
Banks Island is one of the
bigger members of the
Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Its Inukitut name is Qamani’tuaq,
and home to the largest meaning “where the river widens.”
herds of musk ox in the world. Today Baker Lake is an important center
The animals dwell in Aulavik
National Park, on the sparse for Inuit art, especially textiles.

A caribou calf grazing
amid the bright fall
colors in Baker Lake
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