Catholic Mission To The Inuit

The name of this town (68 38’N, 95 57’W; population 964; 94% Inuit) derives from Roald Amundsen’s ship, Gjoa, the first vessel to navigate the complete Northwest Passage (1903-1906).

In the past seven different Inuit groups each with their own customary hunting territory and particular tradition have travelled to the Gjoa Haven region. Their descendants form today's town population.

In 1927, the Hudson’s Bay Company established here trading post. Today the Northern Store along with the Qikitaq Co-op are the two main grocery/dry good stores providing services in the community.

IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY
Roman Catholic Mission

Foundation of the mission

The original mission of Gjoa Haven was founded in 1951 by Fr. Pierre Henry OMI, called "Kajualuk" ("red beard") by the Inuit. Kajualuk and his guide Uttiuk carry the heavy rocks and clay needed for the foundations. Two shacks acquired from Paddy Gibson, the Hudson’s Bay Company manager were dismantled and reborn as the mission devoted to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Near the mission Kajualuk built a small school and himself was teaching children. Some boys without families found even a place to stay at the mission. They were famous Kajualuk's "tiguak" - "adopted". Father Henry remained in Gjoa Haven until 1961, when he had to be evacuated to Chesterfield Inlet's hospital because of bad health condition.
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Greetings from Gjoa Haven...

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Oblates who served the mission: Fr. Pierre Henry, 1951-1961 Fr. Robert Paradis, 1956-1957 Br. Jerome Vermesch, 1958-1966 Fr. Andre Goussaert, 1957-1966 Fr. Georges Lorson, 1967-1974 Fr. Josepi Meeus, 1976-1989 Fr. Patrick Lorand, 1990-1993 Fr. Tony Krotki, 1993-2001 Fr. Pawel Zajac, 2000-2002 Fr. Bogdan Osiecki, 2001-present Fr. Daniel Szwarc, 2004-present	The Catholic Church in Gjoa Haven	More history... A local Inuk, Walter Porter (who died unexpectedly at the age of 35) is seen as the spiritual leader and inspiration of a new era of participation of the local people in positions of pastoral leadership in the Diocese. Already in 1966 Walter Porter animated the parish of Gjoa Haven; he taught catechism, led religious services and was authorized to distribute Holy Communion. This was an example of strong involvement which The School for Catechists in Pelly Bay, founded in 1968, was trying later to promote. At the back of the present church (built in 1987) there is a mural painted by Fr. Lucien Schneider OMI. It is one of two surviving artworks that adorn Catholic churches in the Diocese painted by this famous priest renown for his linguistic work in Nunavik. [Go up]