Cape Dorset (Kinngait)
Nunavut
Kinngait, formerly known as Cape Dorset until 2020, is an Inuit hamlet located on Dorset Island near the Foxe Peninsula at the southern tip of Baffin Island in Nunavut, Canada. The name Kinngait means 'high mountain' or 'where the hills are' in Inuktitut, reflecting the area's distinctive terrain. It is historically significant as the site where remains of the Thule and pre-Inuit Dorset peoples were discovered, evidencing human habitation dating back to 1000 BCE. The hamlet was named Cape Dorset by Captain Luke Foxe in 1631 after the Earl of Dorset. Today, Kinngait is internationally recognized as the "Capital of Inuit Art," with a thriving community of artists specializing in drawing, printmaking, and carving. Since the 1950s, the community has produced tens of thousands of prints and carvings, many created under the West Baffin Eskimo Cooperative, founded by James Archibald Houston to help local artists adapt traditional techniques to contemporary art forms. Renowned artists such as Kenojuak Ashevak and Pitseolak Ashoona have contributed to Kinngait's artistic legacy, with works exhibited nationally and featured on Canadian stamps and currency. The hamlet’s economy remains closely tied to the arts, employing around 22% of the local workforce. Despite its remote Arctic location, Kinngait is accessible via a local airport and is serviced by unpaved roads within the community. The hamlet also offers educational facilities, including elementary and secondary schools, and a Community Learning Centre providing post-secondary programs. Kinngait’s unique blend of cultural heritage, artistic excellence, and Arctic environment makes it a compelling destination for visitors interested in indigenous art and northern Canadian culture.
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Tip: The best time to visit Kinngait is during the summer months when the Hudson Strait is ice-free, allowing easier access by boat and milder weather. Visitors interested in Inuit art should explore the annual print collection issued by the Kinngait Studios and consider purchasing limited edition prints through the West Baffin Eskimo Cooperative. Booking flights in advance is recommended due to limited connections via Kinngait Airport. While visiting, respect local customs and support community-run art programs. Winter travel requires preparation for snowmobile and ATV transportation within the hamlet.
Interesting facts
- •Kinngait is known as the 'Capital of Inuit Art' and has produced over 48,000 prints between 1959 and 1974.
- •The hamlet was officially renamed from Cape Dorset to Kinngait in 2020 following a community vote.
- •Artists from Kinngait have had their work featured on Canadian postage stamps and currency, including drawings by Kenojuak Ashevak.
- •The West Baffin Eskimo Cooperative, founded in 1957, remains the most successful Inuit printmaking workshop in Canada.
- •Approximately 22% of Kinngait's labor force is employed in the arts, making it one of the most artistic communities in Canada.
History
Kinngait has a deep historical significance as a site inhabited by the Dorset (Tuniit) and Thule peoples from around 1000 BCE to 1100 CE.
The area was named Cape Dorset in 1631 by Captain Luke Foxe after the Earl of Dorset.
In 1913, the Hudson's Bay Company established a trading post, facilitating fur trade and supply exchange.
The mid-20th century marked a cultural renaissance when James Archibald Houston founded a graphic arts workshop in 1957 to promote Inuit art and economic development.
The community officially adopted the name Kinngait in 2020, reflecting its Inuit heritage and identity.
Place Guide
West Baffin Eskimo Cooperative (Kinngait Studios)1957
The cooperative is the heart of Kinngait's art scene, producing annual limited edition print collections. It supports local artists in adapting traditional carving and drawing techniques to printmaking methods such as etching, engraving, lithography, and silkscreen.
Peter Pitseolak School Printmaking Workshop2019
A community space opened in 2019 dedicated to printmaking for children, fostering the next generation of Inuit artists. Named after renowned local artist Peter Pitseolak.
