Canada has Announced one of 2 largest Icebreakers will be named Imnaryuaq (Inuvialuktun, also known as Nelson Head), after a place of Inuvialuit significance and Canadian regard as written into the IFA.

Inuvialuit Regional Corporation is pleased Canada will be using our Inuvialuktun name Imnaryuaq for the icebreaker Canadian Coast Guard Ship CCGS Imnaryuaq.  This was announced along with an equal, largest Canadian icebreaker CCGS Appatuuk, named for a rich-in-life island of polar bears and birds within Nunavut. The naming comes at the same time as a cooperative Arctic Strategy showing promise in appropriate approaches to work in support of our communities, and with due respect to Inuvialuit and Inuit self-determination in the Arctic Ocean.  

Imnaryuaq translates literally to “big cliff” and is a place where the land of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, as a peninsula from south edge of Banks Island, raises 300m vertically in sea cliffs from the Amundsen Gulf area of the Arctic Ocean.

The Inuvialuit Final Agreement (IFA) included an acknowledgement of Canada’s intent and interest for the Federal-recognition of Nelson Head, this traditional key area and cape feature for Inuvialuit hunters, travellers and animals.  

While no progress was made on a Canadian Landmark despite the agreed upon importance of Imnaryuaq (Nelson Head), IRC is glad that in the 40^th year since the signing of the Western Arctic Land Claim with Canada, this naming by Canada is a start and the placename will be in use for Canadians and for our youth to hear.

IRC now hopes that CCGS Imnaryuaq (set to be 158m in length) will soon contribute to year-round service capability, usable ocean research to buoy extant Inuvialuit knowledge as well as offer long-term, quality employment opportunities for Beneficiaries.  

Promising operation further north and in more ice than other icebreakers, Inuvialuit can share pride alongside Canada in year round Arctic Ocean travel pursuit, and we will continue in our shared work of Arctic sovereignty and community support.  

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For media inquiries, please contact IRC Communications communications@inuvialuit.com or 867- 777- 7000.

Photo: Inuvialuit Digital Library, 1930’s land feature Imnaryuaq (Nelson Head) as seen from the Blue Fox.

Print, download a copy of the IRC News Release: Canada has Announced one of 2 largest Icebreakers will be named Imnaryuaq (Inuvialuktun, also known as Nelson Head), after a place of Inuvialuit significance and Canadian regard as written into the IFA.

About the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation    

Established in 1984 to manage the settlement outlined in the Inuvialuit Final Agreement (IFA), Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) represents the collective interests of Inuvialuit in and beyond the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR). The IRC works to continually improve the economic, social, and cultural wellbeing of the Inuvialuit through the implementation of the IFA and by all other available means.