Community owned Co-operatives in the Arctic are multi-purpose businesses that provide a wide range of services to their members and their communities. Services provided by local Co-ops include retail stores, hotel and tourism operations, cable television, arts and craft marketing, fuel distribution, construction & heavy equipment services, property rental and a variety of agency type services. Padlei Co-operative consists of a hotel, restaurant and convenience store. They also provide the cable television services, fuel distribution and property rentals in their community. Arviat (local meaning: Bowhead Whale. Population: 2,318) is located on the western shores of the Hudson Bay. It is one of the fastest growing communities in Nunavut. Arviat is known as the “Gateway to Nunavut” and offers visitors the chance to explore many historic sites in and near the community, as well as northern wildlife and a flourishing Inuit culture. Named for the nearby coastal island shaped like a bowhead whale, Arviat was first populated by the Paallirmiut Inuit who hunted seals, whales and walrus. Natives of Arviat—Arviatmiut—speak both English and their native language, Inuktitut.