Situated at the northwest extremity of the territory, Ivujivik is the northernmost community in Nunavik and has a population of approximately 415 people.More precisely, it is located where Hudson's Bay meets Hudson Strait. The strong currents found here make it a rich environment in marine fauna. There are large bird colonies and an abundance of marine mammals. These remain here all winter because they can take advantage of the permanent cracks in the ice floes to come up to breathe between each mouthful of the feast offered to them under the surface.
It is this abundance and the availability of food all year round, as well as the presence of a small Hudson's Bay Company trading post, which brought people to settle here.
In 1963, Ivujivik's inhabitants, having heard of the cooperative experience in other communities, felt ready to take the plunge.
This made it possible to act on the promises of mutual support which the cooperative movement advocated.
In effect, in order to help start up the new cooperative, Audla Mark, along with Saima Luuku and his wife, all from Ivujivik, were welcomed and housed by the people of Puvirnituq so that all of them could learn the essential tasks of properly running a store and a Caisse Populaire (credit union).
Today, the trading post has disappeared, but the cooperative is still going strong as it strives to serve all of the community.
The Art
Ivujivik carvers will produce a wide variety of styles, from simplistic to realistic, and is home to one of Nunavik's most unique abstract carvers, Mattiusi Iyaituk. Earlier carvings from Ivujivik were mostly made of steatite (gray) but in more modern times they have been using a variety of stones like serpentine, sandstone and even granite.
Etchings (etched drawings on soapstone) are especially popular in this area.
Notable artists (past and present) include:
- Mattiusi Iyaituk (1950-)
- Nutaraluk Iyaituk (1943-2005)
- Simon Luuku (1930-)
- Tivi Paningayak (1917-)