Akulivik takes its name from surrounding geography. A peninsula jutting into Hudson Bay between two small bodies of water, the area evokes the shape of a kakivak, a traditional, trident-shaped spear used for fishing.Akulivik is situated on a peninsula between two bodies of water along the Hudson Bay which resembles a "kakivak" (a trident-shaped spear used for fishing). It is a community of 642 people and it is 1900 km north of Montreal.
The Hudson's Bay Company established a trading post in Akulivik in 1922. The HBC closed the post in 1952 and the Inuit who had somewhat settled in the area moved to Puvirnituq to be near its trading post. By 1974, some of these displaced families moved back to Akulivik and built the community as we know it today.
The Akulivik Cooperative Association was established in 1977 and joined the Fédération des coopératives du Nouveau-Québec the same year.
The Art
Similar in style to Puvirnituq, the sculptures from Akulivik are mostly made of steatite, a soft grey stone that lends itself well to fine details. The artists will make sculptures in all sizes, but will concentrate mostly on smaller pieces, often arctic animals. They also make hunters, fishermen and women, and creatures from Inuit legends.
Notable artists (past and present) include:
- Levi Alashuak (1951-)
- Aisa Amittu (1951-2021)
- Adamie Anauta (1946-2016)
- Josephie Kakutuk (1949-)
- Johnny Kakutuk (1946-2018)
