View source for Rankin Inlet

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Rankin Inlet
| native_name        = ''Kangiqiniq''<br />{{native name|iu|ᑲᖏᕿᓂᖅ}}
| image_skyline      = Rankin Inlet From Air.jpg
| image_caption      = Rankin Inlet from the air
| image_flag         = 
| pushpin_map        = Canada Nunavut#Canada
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = Canada
| subdivision_type1  = [[Provinces and territories of Canada|Territory]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Nunavut]]
| subdivision_type3  = [[List of regions of Nunavut|Region]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[Kivalliq Region|Kivalliq]]
| subdivision_type4  = [[List of Nunavut territorial electoral districts|Electoral districts]]
| subdivision_name4  = [[Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet]]<br />[[Rankin Inlet South]]
| government_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elections.nu.ca/sites/default/files/documents/municipal_council_election_results_2019_en.pdf |title=Municipal Election Results 2019-2020|access-date=12 January 2023|publisher=Elections Nunavut}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elections.nu.ca/sites/default/files/documents/2021%20GE%20Results_0.pdf |title=2021 General Election|access-date=12 January 2023|publisher=Elections Nunavut}}</ref>
| government_type    = Hamlet Council
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = Harry Towtongie
| leader_title1      = [[Legislative Assembly of Nunavut|MLAs]]
| leader_name1       = [[Alexander Sammurtok]]<br />[[Annie Tattuinee]]
| area_footnotes     = &nbsp;(2021)<ref name=2021census/>
| area_total_km2     = 20.03
| area_blank1_title  = [[Census geographic units of Canada#Population centres|Population centre]]
| area_blank1_km2    = 2.86
| population_as_of   = 2021
| population_footnotes = <ref name=2021census/><ref name=2021censusNUPCs>{{cite web | url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=Rankin%20Inlet&DGUIDlist=2021S05101320&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1&HEADERlist=0 | title=Census Profile, 2021 Census Rankin Inlet Nunavut [Population centre]| publisher=Statistics Canada |access-date=12 January 2023|date=6 December 2022}}</ref>
| population_total   = 2,975
| population_density_km2 = 148.5
| population_blank1_title = Population centre
| population_blank1  = 2,698
| population_density_blank1_km2 = 942.6
| timezone           = [[Central Time Zone|CST]]
| utc_offset         = −06:00
| timezone_DST       = CDT
| utc_offset_DST     = −05:00
| coordinates        = {{coord|62|49|N|092|05|W|region:CA-NU_type:city_scale:20000|notes=<ref name=cgndb1>{{Cite cgndb|OANSI|Rankin Inlet}}</ref>|display=it}}
| elevation_footnotes = <ref>Elevation at airport. {{CFS}}</ref>
| elevation_m        = 28
| postal_code_type   = [[Canadian Postal code]]
| postal_code        = [[List of X Postal Codes of Canada|X0C 0G0]]
| area_code          = [[Area code 867|867]]
| blank_name         = [[Telephone Exchange]]
| blank_info         = 645
| blank1_name        = [[Geographical Names Board of Canada|GNBC]] Code
| blank1_info        = OANSI
| blank2_name        = [[National Topographic System|NTS]] Map
| blank2_info        = {{Canada NTS Map Sheet|55|K|16}}
| blank3_name        = Waterway
| blank3_info        = [[Hudson Bay]]
| website            = [http://www.rankininlet.net www.rankininlet.net]
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''Rankin Inlet''', which fronts to [[Hudson Bay]], is an [[Inuit]] [[hamlet (place)#Canada|hamlet]] on the [[Kudlulik Peninsula]] in [[Nunavut]], Canada.<ref name=cgndb1/><ref name=cgndb2>{{Cite cgndb|OAJJB|Kudlulik Peninsula}}</ref> It is the largest hamlet and second-largest settlement in Nunavut after the territorial capital, [[Iqaluit]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810000202&geocode=A000262 | title=Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), Nunavut | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=February 9, 2022 }}</ref> Rankin Inlet is the regional centre for the [[Kivalliq Region]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://travelnunavut.ca/community/rankin-inlet |title=Rankin Inlet |website=travelnunavut.ca |access-date=December 30, 2024}}</ref> It is also the largest settlement in mainland Nunavut.

In the [[1995 Nunavut capital plebiscite]], voters chose [[Iqaluit]] over Rankin Inlet to become the territorial capital of Nunavut.

==Inuktitut==
Rankin Inlet is also known in [[Inuktitut]] as {{langx|iu|Kangiqiniq}};<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rankininlet.ca |title=Rankin Inlet|website=rankininlet.ca}}</ref> [[Inuktitut syllabics]]: ᑲᖏᕿᓂᖅ<ref name="readata">[https://web.archive.org/web/20120425151935/http://data.nwtresearch.com/nunavut/ Research Database]</ref> or ''Kangirliniq'',<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nwmb.com/english/resources/harvest_study/33%20NWHS%20Rankin%20Inlet.pdf |title=Harvest Estimates |website=nwmb.com |access-date=7 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425151933/http://www.nwmb.com/english/resources/harvest_study/33%20NWHS%20Rankin%20Inlet.pdf |archive-date=25 April 2012}}</ref> ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᖅ,<ref name="readata"/>{{deadlink|date=December 2024}} or ''Kangir&iniq''<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140826115203/http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/language_watchdog_needed_in_nunavut/ 'Language watchdog needed in Nunavut]</ref> meaning ''deep bay/inlet''.

== History ==
[[File:Meliadine River (Rankin Inlet) Thule-Site 1995-06-22.jpg|thumb|left|A [[Thule people|Thule]] site at the Meliadine River near Rankin Inlet]]
Archaeological sites suggest the area was inhabited around 1200&nbsp;CE by [[Thule people]] who were [[bowhead whale]] hunters. By the late 18th century, they were succeeded by [[Kivallirmiut]] (Caribou [[Inuit]]) who hunted the inland [[barren-ground caribou]], and fished for [[Arctic char]] along the coast, as well as the Diane River and Meliadine River. The [[Hudson's Bay Company]] (HBC) established itself throughout the bay in the 17th century, and after 1717, sloops from [[Churchill, Manitoba]] traded north to Rankin Inlet and beyond. There was an unfortunate expedition shipwrecked on [[Marble Island]], {{cvt|32|km|}} east of Rankin Inlet: [[James Knight (explorer)|James Knight's]] expedition died on the island around 1722. It was surveyed by [[William Moor]] in 1747. HBC contact was followed in the mid-19th century by American and European [[Whaling|whalers]], who were followed by [[fur trade]]rs trapping [[Arctic fox]]es for their skins in the early 20th century, followed by missionaries who brought a written language system.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arcticomi.ca/2rankin.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030503191104/http://www.arcticomi.ca/2rankin.html |archive-date=3 May 2003 |title=Notre Dame Du Cap |publisher=arcicomi.ca |access-date=26 January 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pulaarvik.ca/community/Inuit.html |title=Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre |publisher=pulaarvik.ca |access-date=26 January 2008 |archive-date=10 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210130522/http://www.pulaarvik.ca/community/Inuit.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The town itself was founded by the owners of the [[Rankin Inlet Mine]], just north of Johnston Cove. Starting in 1957, the mine produced [[nickel]] and [[copper]] [[ore]]s from an underground operation. The [[Mining|mine]] was the first case of [[Inuit]] miners in Canada. When the mine closed in 1962, Rankin Inlet had a population of approximately 500 Inuit, and 70-80% had been mine workers. Several unsuccessful attempts followed to develop alternate sources of income for the town. These included a pig ranch in 1969 and a chicken-raising venture in the 1970s. Both animal groups were fed a diet of local fish, which gave the meat an unpleasant flavour. It was also common for the animals to freeze to death or be eaten by [[polar bear]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.farmnwt.com/history.pdf |title=History of the Development of Agriculture in the N.W.T.|page=11| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929071142/http://www.farmnwt.com/history.pdf |archive-date=29 September 2007}}</ref>

The [[Meliadine Gold Mine]] operated by [[Agnico Eagle]] opened in 2019 and is expected to produce until at least 2032. It is the second mine opened in the low Arctic, after the [[Meadowbank Gold Mine]], and is both an underground and [[Open-pit mining|open-pit mine]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.agnicoeagle.com/English/operations/operations/meliadine/default.aspx |title=The Meliadine mine in the Kivalliq District of Nunavut is Agnico Eagle's second mine in Canada's Low Arctic, opening nine years after the Meadowbank mine.|access-date=12 January 2023}}</ref>

From 1985 to 1997, Kivalliq Hall operated as a boarding school for Inuit pupils; it had been recognized as a [[Canadian Indian residential school system|residential school]] for the pre-1995 period when it was operated by the Federal government.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/rankin-inlet-kivalliq-hall-dismiss-1.4767608| title = Kivalliq Hall qualifies for residential school settlements, Nunavut appeals court rules |publisher= CBC News |last=Pucci |first=Michelle |date=31 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=20 December 2016|title=Nunavut judge recognizes Kivalliq Hall as a residential school|url=https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/65674nunavut_judge_recognizes_kivalliq_hall_as_a_residential_school/ |access-date=16 September 2021|website=[[Nunatsiaq News]]}}</ref>

Voters chose Iqaluit over Rankin Inlet to become the new territorial capital of Nunavut in the [[1995 Nunavut capital plebiscite]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/decentralize_or_else/ |title=Decentralize or else |website=nunatsiaq.com |date=7 June 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.revparl.ca/english/issue.asp?param=71&art=138 |title=The Election of Nunavut’s First Legislative Assembly |website=revparl.ca |last=Armstrong |first=Brian |access-date=December 30, 2024}}</ref>

== Demographics ==
{{Historical populations
| title = Federal census population history of Rankin Inlet
| type = Canada
| align = left
| width =
| state =
| shading =
| percentages =
|1971|566
|1976|852
|1981|1109
|1986|1374
|[[1991 Canadian census|1991]]|1706
|[[1996 Canadian census|1996]]|2058
|[[2001 Canadian census|2001]]|2177
|[[2006 Canadian census|2006]]|2358
|[[2011 Canadian census|2011]]|2557<!--Amended by StatCan. Was 2266.-->
|[[2016 Canadian census|2016]]|2842
|[[2021 Canadian census|2021]]|2975
| footnote =
| source = [[Statistics Canada]]<br/><ref name=2021census/><ref name=1976census>{{cite web | url=https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/statcan/CS92-805-1976.pdf | title=1976 Census of Canada: Population - Geographic Distributions | publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] | date=June 1977 | access-date=1 February 2022}}</ref><ref name=1981census>{{cite web | url=https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/statcan/CS94-905-1981.pdf | title=1981 Census of Canada: Census subdivisions in decreasing population order | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=May 1992 | access-date=1 February 2022}}</ref><ref name=1986census>{{cite web | url=https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2013/statcan/rh-hc/CS92-101-1987.pdf | title=1986 Census: Population - Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=September 1987 | access-date=1 February 2022}}</ref><ref name=1991census>{{cite web | url=https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2013/statcan/rh-hc/CS93-304-1992.pdf | title=91 Census: Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions - Population and Dwelling Counts | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=April 1992 | access-date=1 February 2022}}</ref><ref name=1996census>{{cite web | url=https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2012/statcan/rh-hc/CS93-357-1997.pdf | title=96 Census: A National Overview - Population and Dwelling Counts | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=April 1997 | access-date=1 February 2022}}</ref><ref name=2001census>{{cite web | url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/english/census01/products/standard/popdwell/Table-CSD-P.cfm?T=1&SR=1&S=1&O=A&PR=62 | title=Population and Dwelling Counts, for Canada, Provinces and Territories, and Census Subdivisions (Municipalities), 2001 and 1996 Censuses - 100% Data (Nunavut) | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=15 August 2012 | access-date=1 February 2022}}</ref><ref name=2006census>{{cite web | url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/hlt/97-550/Index.cfm?TPL=P1C&Page=RETR&LANG=Eng&T=302&SR=1&S=1&O=A&RPP=9999&CMA=0&PR=62 | title=Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2006 and 2001 censuses - 100% data (Nunavut) | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=20 August 2021 | access-date=1 February 2022}}</ref><ref name=2011census>{{cite web | url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/hlt-fst/pd-pl/Table-Tableau.cfm?LANG=Eng&T=302&SR=1&S=51&O=A&RPP=9999&CMA=0&PR=62 | title=Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2011 and 2006 censuses (Nunavut) | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=25 July 2021 | access-date=1 February 2022}}</ref><ref name=2016census>{{cite web | url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/hlt-fst/pd-pl/Table.cfm?Lang=Eng&T=302&SR=1&S=86&O=A&RPP=9999&PR=62 | title=Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Nunavut) | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=8 February 2017 | access-date=1 February 2022}}</ref>
}}
[[File:Downtown Rankin Inlet.jpg|thumb|left|Downtown Rankin Inlet]]
{{Contains special characters|Canadian}}
In the [[2021 Canadian census]] conducted by [[Statistics Canada]], Rankin Inlet had a population of 2,975 living in 826 of its 1,026 total private dwellings, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:2975-2842}}|2842|1}} from its 2016 population of 2,842. With a land area of {{cvt|20.03|km2}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|2975|20.03|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2021.<ref name=2021census>{{cite web | url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810000202&geocode=A000262 | title=Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), Nunavut | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=9 February 2022 | access-date=19 February 2022}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable collapsible sortable"
|+ [[Panethnicity|Panethnic]] groups in the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet (2001−2021)
! rowspan="2" |[[Panethnicity|Panethnic]] group
! colspan="2" |2021<ref name="2021censusB">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2022-10-26 |title= Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=Rankin%20Inlet&DGUIDlist=2021A00056205017&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1,4&HEADERlist=0 |access-date=2024-05-26 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2016<ref name="2016censusB">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2021-10-27 |title= Census Profile, 2016 Census |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=6205017&Geo2=CD&Code2=6205&SearchText=Rankin%20Inlet&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&TABID=1&type=0 |access-date=2024-05-26 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2011<ref name="2011censusB">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2015-11-27 |title= NHS Profile |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=6205017&Data=Count&SearchText=Rankin%20Inlet&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&A1=All&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1 |access-date=2024-05-26 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2006<ref name="2006censusB">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2019-08-20 |title= 2006 Community Profiles |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=6205017&Geo2=PR&Code2=62&Data=Count&SearchText=Rankin%20Inlet&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= |access-date=2024-05-26 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2001<ref name="2001censusB">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2019-07-02 |title= 2001 Community Profiles |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/english/Profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=6205017&Geo2=PR&Code2=62&Data=Count&SearchText=Rankin%20Inlet&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= |access-date=2024-05-26 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
|-
![[Population|{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}]]
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
|-
| [[Indigenous peoples in Canada|Indigenous]]
| 2,525
| {{Percentage | 2525 | 2930 | 2 }}
| 2,320
| {{Percentage | 2320 | 2775 | 2 }}
| 1,835
| {{Percentage | 1835 | 2245 | 2 }}
| 1,955
| {{Percentage | 1955 | 2340 | 2 }}
| 1,720
| {{Percentage | 1720 | 2165 | 2 }}
|-
| [[European Canadians|European]]{{efn|Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.|name=euro}}
| 275
| {{Percentage | 275 | 2930 | 2 }}
| 345
| {{Percentage | 345 | 2775 | 2 }}
| 310
| {{Percentage | 310 | 2245 | 2 }}
| 325
| {{Percentage | 325 | 2340 | 2 }}
| 405
| {{Percentage | 405 | 2165 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Southeast Asia|Southeast Asian]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" under visible minority section on census.|name=SoutheastAsian}}
| 55
| {{Percentage | 55 | 2930 | 2 }}
| 60
| {{Percentage | 60 | 2775 | 2 }}
| 65
| {{Percentage | 65 | 2245 | 2 }}
| 25
| {{Percentage | 25 | 2340 | 2 }}
| 20
| {{Percentage | 20 | 2165 | 2 }}
|-
| [[African-Canadian|African]]
| 35
| {{Percentage | 35 | 2930 | 2 }}
| 20
| {{Percentage | 20 | 2775 | 2 }}
| 20
| {{Percentage | 20 | 2245 | 2 }}
| 20
| {{Percentage | 20 | 2340 | 2 }}
| 10
| {{Percentage | 10 | 2165 | 2 }}
|-
| [[South Asian Canadians|South Asian]]
| 30
| {{Percentage | 30 | 2930 | 2 }}
| 20
| {{Percentage | 20 | 2775 | 2 }}
| 20
| {{Percentage | 20 | 2245 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 2340 | 2 }}
| 10
| {{Percentage | 10 | 2165 | 2 }}
|-
| [[East Asian Canadians|East Asian]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" under visible minority section on census.|name=EastAsian}}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 2930 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 2775 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 2245 | 2 }}
| 10
| {{Percentage | 10 | 2340 | 2 }}
| 10
| {{Percentage | 10 | 2165 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Middle Eastern Canadians|Middle Eastern]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "West Asian" and "Arab" under visible minority section on census.|name=MiddleEastern}}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 2930 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 2775 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 2245 | 2 }}
| 10
| {{Percentage | 10 | 2340 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 2165 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Latin American Canadians|Latin American]]
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 2930 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 2775 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 2245 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 2340 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 2165 | 2 }}
|-
| Other/[[Multiracial people|multiracial]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Visible minority, {{abbr|n.i.e.|not included elsewhere}}" and "Multiple visible minorities" under visible minority section on census.|name=Other}}
| 10
| {{Percentage | 10 | 2930 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 2775 | 2 }}
| 10
| {{Percentage | 10 | 2245 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 2340 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 2165 | 2 }}
|-
! Total responses
! 2,930
! {{Percentage | 2930 | 2975 | 2 }}
! 2,775
! {{Percentage | 2775 | 2842 | 2 }}
! 2,245
! {{Percentage | 2245 | 2577 | 2 }}
! 2,340
! {{Percentage | 2340 | 2358 | 2 }}
! 2,165
! {{Percentage | 2165 | 2177 | 2 }}
|- class="sortbottom"
! Total population
! 2,975
! {{Percentage | 2975 | 2975 | 2 }}
! 2,842
! {{Percentage | 2842 | 2842 | 2 }}
! 2,577
! {{Percentage | 2577 | 2577 | 2 }}
! 2,358
! {{Percentage | 2358 | 2358 | 2 }}
! 2,177
! {{Percentage | 2177 | 2177 | 2 }}
|- class="sortbottom"
| colspan="11" | {{small|Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses}}
|}

== Arts and culture ==
Rankin Inlet is not only notable for its artists and artisans; it is recognized as housing the only Inuit fine-arts ceramics production facility in the world.<ref>[http://matchboxgallery.com/about.htm Rankin Inlet art and artists] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022095841/http://matchboxgallery.com/about.htm |date=22 October 2007}}</ref> Community artists work in a variety of media including ceramics, prints, bronze castings, carvings, watercolour and drawing. The Matchbox Gallery, founded in 1987, showcases art work and provides educational resources.

The community is served by ''[[Kivalliq News]]'', a weekly newspaper which publishes in both English and Inuktitut.

The annual spring festival Pakallak Tyme includes a fishing competition and snowmobile races.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/cbc-to-air-comedy-series-episode-filmed-in-nunavut/|title=CBC to air comedy series episode filmed in Nunavut|last=Rogers|first=Sarah|newspaper=Nunatsiaq News|publisher=Nortext Publishing|date=5 December 2020|access-date=29 March 2021}}</ref>

== Transportation ==
Due to the remoteness of the community and the fact that there is no all-season road to access the community, the primary mode of year-round transportation into and out of the community is by airplane. Two passenger airlines fly into the hamlet: [[Calm Air]] and [[Canadian North]].

Calm Air flies direct to [[Winnipeg]], with round-trip service twice daily on weekdays. Rankin Inlet serves as a hub for transit further into the [[Kivalliq Region|Kivalliq]] region. Destinations from Rankin Inlet include [[Arviat]], [[Baker Lake, Nunavut|Baker Lake]], [[Chesterfield Inlet]], [[Coral Harbour]], [[Naujaat]], and [[Whale Cove, Nunavut|Whale Cove]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flight Schedules {{!}} Calm Air International LP |url=https://www.calmair.com/fly-calm-air/schedule-updates |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=www.calmair.com}}</ref>

Canadian North also serves the community, with service to [[Edmonton]], [[Yellowknife]], [[Iqaluit]], and [[Montreal]], on a [[Milk run|milk-run]] that flies very infrequently.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flight Schedule |url=https://canadiannorth.com/plan_your_trip/flight-schedule/ |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=Canadian North |language=en-US}}</ref>

The community is also serviced by [[Sealift|sealifts]] originating from Montreal.

== Broadband communications ==

The community has been served by the [[Qiniq (company)|Qiniq]] network since 2005. Qiniq is a fixed wireless service to homes and businesses, connecting to the outside world via a satellite backbone. The Qiniq network is designed and operated by [[SSi Canada]]. In 2017, the network was upgraded to 4G LTE technology, and 2G-GSM for mobile voice.

== Geography ==
Rankin Inlet is notable for the chilling wind, severe winter storms, and water resources. The Diana River empties from the north into the hamlet's namesake inlet. The Kivalliq Region has several lakes, the largest being Nipissa Lake, and is flanked by two bays, Melvin Bay on the west and Prairie Bay on the east. Paniqtoq Peninsula, on the inlet's far western shore, provides a barrier shelter for the smaller Kivalliq Region. Dozens of islands dot the inlet, including Thomson Island, the largest, and the Barrier Islands, the longest chain. These natural resources attract tourists who hunt, fish, and canoe. The [[Iqalugaarjuup Nunanga Territorial Park]], {{cvt|10|km}} northwest of Rankin Inlet, is notable for hiking, fishing, bird watching and [[Thule people|Thule]] archaeological sites.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://res.worldviewtravel.com/destinations/guide.rvlx?dg_id=712&dgd_id=15427 |title=Landmarks |publisher=worldviewtravel.com |access-date=26 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071105175710/http://res.worldviewtravel.com/destinations/guide.rvlx?dg_id=712 |archive-date=5 November 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nunavutparks.com/on_the_land/igalugaarjuup_park.cfm |title= Iqalugaarjuup Nunanga Territorial Park. |publisher=Nunavut Parks |access-date=26 January 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070608182828/http://www.nunavutparks.com/on_the_land/igalugaarjuup_park.cfm |archive-date= 8 June 2007}}</ref>
[[File:Rankin Inlet, Nunavut.jpg|thumb|center|1000px|Rankin Inlet]]
===Climate===
Rankin Inlet has a [[subarctic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Dfc''; [[Trewartha climate classification|Trewartha]]: ''Ecld''), just short of a [[tundra]] climate. It is above the [[tree line]]. Temperatures stay below freezing from late September to early June. Although the climate is [[subarctic]], temperatures rise and fall too rapidly and do not stay above {{cvt|10|C}} for long enough (30&nbsp;days) for trees to grow. Under the alternate formula for determining the boundary between Arctic and subarctic climates posited by [[Otto Nordenskjöld]], however, Rankin Inlet, along with [[Arviat]] and [[Baker Lake, Nunavut|Baker Lake]], qualify as Arctic based on the relationship between the temperatures of the coldest and warmest months; in the case of Rankin Inlet, with a coldest-month (January) mean of {{cvt|-30.1|C|}}, said boundary for the warmest month would be {{cvt|12.0|C}} using the Nordenskjöld formula and Rankin Inlet's warmest month (July) averages only {{cvt|10.9|C}}.

Beginning on 16 January 2008, Rankin Inlet endured the longest recorded [[blizzard]] in Canada.{{efn|[[Environment and Climate Change Canada]] defines a blizzard above the tree line as a snowstorm with sustained wind speed above {{cvt|40|km/h}}, visibility {{cvt|400|m}} or under and conditions will last for at least six hours.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ec.gc.ca/meteo-weather/default.asp?lang=En&n=D9553AB5-1#blizzard |title= Blizzard Table 2. Alerting parameters Environment Canada uses for issuing a Blizzard Warning|access-date=12 January 2023|date=29 October 2020}}</ref>}} Wind speed was {{cvt|74|km/h}} or above, with gusts to {{cvt|90|km/h}}, and [[wind chill]] values were as low as {{cvt|&minus;58|C|}}. This blizzard lasted 7&nbsp;days 5&nbsp;hours.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=[[Up Here (magazine)|up here]]|title=Home of the blizzard|date=Oct–Nov 2008|access-date=17 September 2011|url=http://uphere.ca/node/294 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110901000548/http://uphere.ca/node/294 |archive-date=1 September 2011}}</ref>

{{Rankin Inlet weatherbox}}

== Notable people ==
[[File:Rankin Inlet (2736772098).jpg|thumb|Rankin Inlet in winter]]
[[File:Rankin Inlet 2014.jpg|thumb|Rankin Inlet in summer. View from ridge on east end of town.]]
*[[Jack Anawak]], federal and territorial level Inuk politician
*[[Levinia Brown]], territorial level Inuk politician
*[[Tagak Curley]], Inuk politician and a prominent figure in the negotiations that led to the creation of Nunavut
*[[Piita Irniq]], Inuk politician and [[commissioner of Nunavut]]
*[[Peter Ittinuar]], first federal level Inuk politician
*[[Victoria Kakuktinniq]], Inuk fashion designer
*[[Jose Kusugak]], Inuk politician, president of [[Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami]] and [[Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated]], married to Nellie Kusugak
*[[Lorne Kusugak]], territorial level Inuk politician
*[[Michael Kusugak]], Inuk storyteller and children's writer
*[[Nellie Kusugak]], Inuk educator and commissioner of Nunavut, married to Jose Kusugak
*[[Manitok Thompson]], territorial level Inuk politician
*[[John Tiktak]], Inuk sculptor
*[[Hunter Tootoo]], former Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
*[[Jordin Tootoo]], former [[National Hockey League]] player

== See also ==
*[[Canadian NORAD Region Forward Operating Location Rankin Inlet]]
*[[Keewatin Air]]
*[[List of municipalities in Nunavut]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
{{refbegin}}
*England JI. 1998. "Rankin Inlet Birthing Project: Outcome of Primipara Deliveries". ''International Journal of Circumpolar Health''. 57: 113–5.
*''Igalaaq The Rankin Inlet Community Access Centre''. Ottawa, Ont: [[Caledon Institute of Social Policy]], 1999. {{ISBN|1-894159-30-6}}
*Jansen, William Hugh. ''Eskimo Economics An Aspect of Culture Change at Rankin Inlet''. Mercury series. Ottawa: National Museums of Canada, 1979.
*Mallon, S. T. ''Inuktitut, Rankin Inlet Version''. Yellowknife, N.W.T.: Dept. of Education, 1974.
*Shirley, James R., and Darlene Wight. ''Rankin Inlet Ceramics''. Winnipeg: Winnipeg Art Gallery, 2003. {{ISBN|0-88915-224-1}}
*Watson, Linvill. ''Television Among Inuit of Keewatin The Rankin Inlet Experience''. Saskatoon, [Sask.]: Institute for Northern Studies, University of Saskatoon, 1977.
*Feeney, Mara. ''Rankin Inlet''. Fiddletown: Gaby Press, 2009. {{ISBN|978-0-9819319-5-1}}.
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{wikivoyage-inline|Rankin Inlet}}

{{Subdivisions of Nunavut}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Mining communities in Nunavut]]
[[Category:Populated places on Hudson Bay]]
[[Category:Hamlets in the Kivalliq Region]]
[[Category:Road-inaccessible communities of Nunavut]]