Relocated to High Arctic in 1953, Larry Audlaluk still waiting for federal promises to be kept
One of Grise Fiord’s original residents ‘proud’ of role in protecting Arctic sovereignty, but says hamlet needs lower cost of living, better connections to south
Larry Audlaluk of Grise Fiord was relocated to the High Arctic in 1953 when he was just under three years old. (Photo by Jeff Pelletier)
A monument in Grise Fiord stands in memory of more than 90 Inuit relocated to the High Arctic in the 1950s as part of a federal plan to assert sovereignty over the region.
“They came to these desolate shores to pursue the government’s promise of a more prosperous life,” a nearby plaque reads.
“They endured and overcame great hardship, and dedicated their lives to Canada’s sovereignty in these lands and waters.”
A monument in Grise Fiord stands in memory of Inuit relocated to the High Arctic in the 1950s in a federal effort to bolster Canada’s sovereignty in the region. The monument was sculpted by Looty Pijamini, assisted by her son Matthew. (Photo by Jeff Pelletier)
Larry Audlaluk and his family were among those relocated from Inukjuak in 1953.
Having arrived to the area just before he turned three, Audlaluk is one of the hamlet’s original residents.
Canada’s assertion of sovereignty in the country’s northernmost regions has had an impact on Audlaluk’s life. He became a local leader, and spoke out and testified about the forced relocation. The federal government apologized in 2010, followed by the unveiling of the hamlet’s monument.
Audlaluk has also chronicled his life in a book, What I Remember, What I Know: The Life of a High Arctic Exile.
Now, 72 years after his arrival to Ellesmere Island, Arctic sovereignty is again a primary issue ahead of the April 28 federal election.
“The reasons why we were up here was because of sovereignty and then now I hear it again,” Audlaluk said in an interview.
“That word, ‘sovereignty,’ doesn’t seem to go away anymore.”
Bolstering Arctic sovereignty and security has become a primary focus for Canada’s national party leaders, with Arctic minerals and an opening Northwest Passage provoking expansionist plans from Russia, mineral interest from China, and hostility from the United States.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre flew into Iqaluit in February promising to establish a military base there if elected. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh showed support for this idea in March, during his own trip to Nunavut’s capital. Liberal Leader Mark Carney made Iqaluit his first domestic stop as prime minister on March 18, using the visit to announce $6.7 billion in Arctic military spending.
This has made Grise Fiord, which has a population of around 140, an “unintentional spotlight,” Audlaluk said.
“Is this a coincidence? Or is this the way it’s supposed to be?” he pondered, saying these are “quite interesting times.”
Premier P.J. Akeeagok and Community Services Minister David Akeeagok — both of whom are from Grise Fiord — are using the renewed interest in Arctic sovereignty to call for spending in Nunavut, arguing it will bolster the territory’s security and boost economic growth.
They released a priority list of four projects in early March: A deepsea port for Qikiqtarjuaq; Grays Bay road and port; the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link; and a hydroelectric generation station for Iqaluit.
Minister Akeeagok has referred to himself as “one of the proudest Canadian flagpoles” for Arctic sovereignty.
It’s a sentiment Audlaluk indicated he understands and identifies with.
“We are here for sovereignty and we do our job,” he said.
“We don’t say we don’t want to do it. We’re proud of it, actually. I’ll show you my house with my Canadian flag.”
However, “something is not quite right,” he noted.
A one-litre jar of pickles for sale at Grise Fiord’s Arctic Co-Op store in April was listed for $49.99. (Photo by Jeff Pelletier)
Audlaluk said Grise Fiord residents face a high cost of living, where a one-litre jar of pickles runs $50 and a litre of apple juice costs $12. Grise Fiord needs a better runway as well, he said, to support bigger planes. There are also the costs associated with travel — a one-way Canadian North plane ticket from Grise Fiord to Iqaluit for April 28 was going for $4,200 on Monday morning.
Now that southern eyes are again looking north, Audlaluk says he is reflecting on the promise of a more prosperous life etched on his hamlet’s plaque.
“There was even a documentary about the High Arctic relocation titled Broken Promises,” he said.
“Now, they’re talking about, this is what they’re going to do. And I’m thinking, another promise. Are we always going to be listening to promises, but no materialization?”
This article was published with financial support from the Covering Canada: Election 2025 Fund.
“Grise Fiord residents face a high cost of living, where a one-litre jar of pickles runs $50 and a litre of apple juice costs $12.”
Curious to post prices of two non-food items in a comment about cost-of-living
“Audlaluk says he is reflecting on the promise of a more prosperous life etched on his hamlet’s plaque.
“Now, they’re talking about, this is what they’re going to do. And I’m thinking, another promise. Are we always going to be listening to promises, but no materialization?”
No disrespect to Larry, but “broken promises” is just kitsch.
Many of us have spent decades trying to build a better society: contributing to produce goods and services, treating co-workers, clients and suppliers with respect; engaging in an honest and productive career; volunteering; paying taxes; abiding by the law; helping those in need; raising our families and helping others to raise theirs.
For what outcome? A polarized and rotting society; broken health care, education and justice systems; disruptive and crippling narratives such as covidmania, climataclysm and systemic racism; and power concentrated with the oligarchy and its bureaucracy
Canada is in the top three safest counties in the world, it has a AA+ economic rating in the top 8 countries in the world, it leads on health care, one of the sought after nation’s for higher education, had one of the fastest recoveries from covid, which really did exist and really did kill millions. Be greatfull for what you have. Just look across the border and you can see a society that is crumbling. Wake up, do something, participate, stop whinning and creating falsehood.
Safest for whom? Indigenous men and women do not feel safe in Canada. In fact they go missing more than non-Indigenous Canadians. So, think twice before you make a comment.
Google search shows Canada isn’t in the top 10 safest places
Curious that NN will post your comment that is full of misinformation but won’t post mine which is full of facts.
It’s a classic example of why so many people like yourself know only what they are told to know.
Canada Doesnt even make the top 10 for safest places anymore. 10 years of liberal screw ups will do that to a country.
The top 20 safest countries in the world for 2025 are:
1) Iceland
2) New Zealand
3) Portugal
4) Singapore
5) Japan
6) Switzerland
7) Ireland
8) Finland
9) Norway
10) Denmark
11) Canada