While our Polar Bear Migration Fly-In Photo Safari isn’t directly in Arviat, the Polar Bear Cabins are situated in the historical hunting ground of the people of Arviat, located just 100km south of the town. We work closely with the people of Arviat in selecting this site for observing polar bears and have local Inuit guides assist with polar bear viewing encounters.
Formerly known as Eskimo Point, Arviat is on the western shore of Hudson Bay, Nunavut. It is a traditional Inuit community with rich history, and strong artistic and musical traditions. It is the home of renowned Inuit performers Charlie Panigoniak and Susan Aglukark, as well as talented carvers and seamstresses.
The local carving stone is a metamorphic rock that geologists say is harder than steel! Carvings made of this compromising material are stylistically unique to Arviat artists, often depicting themes of family, maternity and humanity.
The name Arviat comes from arviq, the Inuktitut name for bowhead whale watching trips.