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This annual festival, held in late June, is a celebration of Inuit arts and culture. It draws musicians and other performers from all over the Arctic.
Home to Nunavut's unicameral parliament, this building contains some excellent examples of Inuit art. The main entrance has two spires of wood which resemble a Qamotiq, a type of Inuit dog sled. Feel free to look around the main floor of the building, but be sure to announce yourself to the security guard before going too far. You may observe the proceedings of the legislative chamber from its public gallery. Contact the public affairs office to find out when the next sitting will be. Guided tours of the building are conducted Jul–Aug on weekdays at 10:30AM, or by appointment in Sep-Jun.
Housed in a reconstructed trading post of the Hudson's Bay Company, this small museum contains a collection of Inuit art and artifacts. It is on the beach in a red and white building.
Igloo Cathedral
One of Iqaluit's most recognizable landmarks is a white-domed church designed to resemble an igloo. The cathedral is the seat of the Diocese of the Arctic, which serves the largest area of any Anglican diocese in the world. The cathedral is also the parish church for the parish of Iqaluit. The building was opened in 2012.
Surrounding the lower reaches of the Sylvia Grinnell River, this park offers some excellent tundra scenery. Several hiking trails run along the river, which has good fishing, while another leads to a waterfall. On the bank of the river is an ancient camping ground (Crystal II archaeological site) used by the Dorset and Thule peoples. You will need to have local assistance to find the site. Caribou and arctic foxes can be seen roaming through the area depending on the season.
This island preserves another archaeological site, a 750-year-old campsite dating back to the Thule culture. It is 12 km from town, and can be accessed by boat in the summer months and by ski, dogsled or snowmobile in the winter months. Going with an outfitter is recommended, and usually gets you there quicker. Camping in the park is not permitted.