Frobisher Bay, NWT

1954 - Village of Ikaluit – Anonymous

It has been very difficult to recreate the "day to day" life which existed in Frobisher Bay during the early 1950's.

We are aware of a "military presence" during the early 1940's when this location played an important role as a staging base for aircraft being flown to Europe. But what took place after the war?

Well - we also know that the miltary started their construction of what would be known as the 926th AC&W Squadron in 1951. This military complex would eventually be reffered to as the "upper base", with the airport facilities being referred to as the "lower base". We also know that the original Inuit village, known as Ikaluit, was located east of the base. Most of these dwellings could best be described as "shack housing" and the accommodation left a great deal to be desired - certainly by the housing standards of this day and age.

During the summer months, the Inuit would leave their permanent homes and reside in tents.

The following photographs depict the Inuit housing in the village of Ikaluit during 1954. We must bear in mind that this was the main Inuit village before the construction of what would become known as "Apex Hill".