Grise Fiord

Grise Fiord is a settlement in Qikiqtaaluk Region on the southern tip of Ellesmere Island in northern Canada. The community sits along the coastline with a handful of houses scattered across the shore, surrounded by bare mountains and glaciers.

The Canadian government founded this settlement in 1953 when it relocated Inuit families from Inukjuak in Quebec. The move was part of efforts to assert sovereignty over Arctic territories.

The Inuit population maintains traditional hunting practices, following seasonal beluga whale migration routes and adapting to the Arctic environment.

The weather is extremely cold and most visitors arrive only during summer when the sun does not set. A small airstrip connects the settlement to the outside world, but flights can cancel suddenly due to fog or wind.

The name comes from Norwegian and refers to the sounds of walruses that once gathered in nearby waters. Today this settlement is the northernmost permanently inhabited place in Canada.

Location: Qikiqtaaluk Region

Inception: 1953

Founders: Government of Canada

Elevation above the sea: 32 m

Website: http://grisefiord.ca

GPS coordinates: 76.41750,-82.89389

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:01