Sanavik Co-operative

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. Sanavik Co-op recently opened a new facility and operates a hotel, retail store, convenience store, cable TV services, post office and property rentals and provides fuel delivery services to the community. Sanavik members are also strong producers of Inuit arts and crafts. Baker Lake (Alternate Name: Qamanittuaq. Population: 1,872) sits at the mouth of the Thelon River and is Canada’s only inland Inuit community. It is also very close to the geographical centre of Canada. Traditionally a gathering place for many different groups of Inuit, the community is now home to many Inuit artists and carvers. Baker Lake carvers use a soft black stone that produces elegant, rounded images. Baker Lake prints and artwork renowned throughout the world are also available in the community. Baker Lake is the end point for lower Thelon River treks, a good canoeing river for less experienced canoeists. The river system extends some 900 kilometers from either Sifton Lake or Lynx Lake. With only one stretch of whitewater, the Thelon meanders through the Barren lands. Baker Lake is also the finishing line for experienced canoeists on the Kazan River, which offers plenty of rapids. Sport fishing, hiking in the Barrenlands, wildlife watching are all-possible at Baker Lake. Baker Lake Park offers boating and canoeing in summer months, as well as camping facilities and shelters.