Catholic Mission To The Inuit

Taloyoak (69 21’N, 93 31’W; population 729 - 92% Inuit) is located on the west side of Boothia Isthmus, the narrowest part of Boothia Peninsula. Formerly called Spence Bay, Taloyoak officially changed it name in 1992 to its Inuktitut name which refers to the “stone caribou blinds” constructed by the Inuit to hunt barren-ground caribou in the region.

A Hudson’s Bay Company post was established in the region first at Fort Ross on Somerset Island 1937-1949) and then at Spence Bay (Taloyoak) in 1949.

Taloyoak is known for its famous packing-dolls made from duffle material. These dolls that represent various animal species are highly prized by collectors world-wide.

ST. MICHEL AND OUR LADY OF VICTORIES Roman Catholic Mission	Foundation of the mission The parish (Saint Michel) in Taloyoak was established as a station from Kugaaruk (formerly Pelly Bay) by Fr. Pierre Henry OMI and Fr. Rogatien Papion OMI in 1954. Construction material for the building was brought by Fr. Henry and his helper Idjukka from an abandoned cabin at Pasley Bay where the R.C.M.P. boat, the St Roch spent the winter of 1941. The Catholic community in Taloyoak is small (around 100 of members). Weekly Sunday prayer is led by the local leaders and by the Oblate Father coming from Gjoa Haven on the regular basis. [Go up]	Greetings from Taloyoak... [Larger picture] [Larger picture]
Oblates who served the mission: Fr. Pierre Henry, 1948-1951 Fr. Rogatien Papion, 1949-52, 1954 Fr. Robert Paradis, 1955 Fr. Joseph Leverge, 1956-1971 Fr. Georges Lorson, 1967-1974 Fr. Joseph Meeus, 1976-1989 Fr. Patrick Lorand, 1990-1993 Fr. Tony Krotki, 1994-2001 Fr. Pawel Zajac, 2001-2002 Fr. Bogdan Osiecki, 2001-present Fr. Daniel Szwarc, 2004-present	The Catholic Church in Taloyoak	More history... The construction of the new church and mission in Taloyoak has begun in the summer of 2001 and has been completed at the beginning of November 2001. Those who are passing through Taloyoak and see the new building are spreading the news about it simply in the words: "It's really nice church!". The renovation and extention of the Catholic church in Taloyoak was long awaited, the old building being one of the most "aged" in the whole town and yet serving the community in the every day activities. [continued below...]

More history… [continued]

A small mission at Ikpik (Thom Bay - 60 km from Taloyoak) was established in 1948 by Fr. Pierre Henry. The place is of oustanding beauty and rich in different species of animals which would have made of it a good place for an Inuit settlement. Since the boats with provisions started arriving to the opposite side of the peninsula, Inuit moved there, and Ikpik is today only a historical site and touristic attraction for those, who prefer boat or snowmobile to the plane.

Actually Thom Bay seems to be an early settlement from 40 - 50 years ago, from time, when there was only a mission building or trading post in one place, surrounded at times by villages of snow houses. For those who love the North it is a beautiful place to go and to experience the past.

There is also an old stone church In Taloyoak, constructed with local materials, and it has been given to the hamlet to be used for heritage and non-profit ventures. This old mission was originally built by Fr. Pierre Henry, Fr. Rogatien Papion and Charlie Aglukkaq.

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David Tootalik, lokal leader in Taloyoak