Arctic Char & Ice Dreams: Nunavut’s Food Story
- Ginger North
- Apr 11
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 17
#30CanadianFoods: A deliciously creamy and smoky dip!
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the poetry of Arctic Char. Caught beneath frozen waters, kissed by the midnight sun, and smoked over crackling flames, this northern delicacy isn’t just food—it’s history, tradition, and resilience on a plate.
For the 11th stop of our #30CanadianFoods challenge, we’re heading to Nunavut, where Arctic Char is more than a meal—it’s a cultural anchor. And today? We’re cooking up a traditional Smoked Arctic Char Dip that’s as rich in flavour as the land it comes from.
🧊 Feeling behind on the challenge? You can click here to read the intro post or see all the featured provinces and recipes so far. Catch up anytime!
Welcome to Nunavut
Canada’s youngest territory (born in 1999!) is also its most remote—and its most awe-inspiring. Nunavut spans over two million square kilometres, but its population? Just under 40,000. This is a land of extremes and beauty: long winters, endless skies, and a whole lot of soul.
Here, you’ll find Iqaluit, the capital city perched on Baffin Island, home to colourful buildings and creative energy. You’ll see northern lights that dance like they’ve got something to prove. And in the summer, the sun forgets to set—so yes, midnight picnics are totally a thing.
💡 Fun fact: “Nunavut” means “Our Land” in Inuktitut—and trust us, once you learn about it, you’ll see why it’s worth protecting, visiting, and celebrating.
Voices of the Land: Inuit Culture in Nunavut
Nunavut is home to a rich and living Inuit culture that goes back thousands of years. From throat singing and soapstone carving to traditional hunting and food preparation, Inuit heritage is not only preserved here—it’s thriving.
If you ever get the chance to visit, look into Inuit Adventures which offers immersive cultural experiences. Want to meet local artists or buy their work? Check out Nunavut Arts for incredible carvings, prints, and jewellery made by Inuit artisans.
Respecting and supporting Indigenous communities means listening, learning, and showing up in everyday ways. Like cooking a traditional recipe, or choosing Indigenous-run businesses. (Speaking of which—scroll on down.)
If You Visit Nunavut...
Planning a trip to Nunavut isn’t your typical road trip—you’ll likely need a plane ticket and a good coat. But it’s absolutely worth it. Here are three spots that’ll make you feel like the main character in a northern epic:
1. Sylvia Grinnell Territorial Park (Iqaluit)
Located just a short drive from Iqaluit (and yes, you can hike there), this park is a stunner. Think: glacial-carved valleys, arctic fox sightings, and waterfalls you never expected in the tundra. It’s a peaceful place to reflect and reconnect—with the land and with yourself.
2. Pangnirtung (a.k.a. “Pang”)
This small community is known for its artists, especially weavers and printmakers. Visit the Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts and Crafts to see traditional tapestries and prints that tell stories older than Canada itself. Plus, the view of the fjord? Chef’s kiss.
This park’s name means “the land that never melts”—and it lives up to the legend. Towering mountains, deep fjords, and icy wilderness make this one of the most dramatic landscapes in Canada. It’s remote, it’s raw, and it’s unforgettable.
Where to Eat (Locally and Deliciously)
You won’t find a Tim Hortons on every corner, but you will find food with stories, heart, and a seriously Canadian soul.
🐟 The Granite Room (Iqaluit)
Located in the Frobisher Inn, The Granite Room serves Arctic Char that’s grilled, smoked, or cured to perfection. Reviewers rave about the cozy atmosphere and locally inspired menu. A must-try for newcomers looking to experience northern flavours without fuss.
🐾 Black Heart Café (Iqaluit)
Hip, warm, and community-driven, Black Heart Café is the place to grab a fair-trade coffee, snack on bannock, or enjoy locally sourced baked goods. Locals love it. Travellers feel like they’ve discovered a gem. And there’s free Wi-Fi.
🌿 Storehouse Bar & Grill (Iqaluit)
A friendly pub with Indigenous and northern twists on comfort food classics. Their muskox burger? A rite of passage. Prices are reasonable for the north, and the staff make you feel right at home.
Northern Goods and Great Intentions: Supporting Nunavut Creators
We searched high, low, and somewhere between the snowdrifts to find Nunavut businesses that ship across Canada. It turns out, that's no small ask. Between the steep shipping costs and remote distances, most small businesses in Nunavut understandably focus on serving their local communities first.
But here’s the heart of it: when you find something Nunavut-made, even down south—buy it, celebrate it, share it. Supporting northern creators matters more than ever.
And if you know of any Nunavut-based businesses that do ship across Canada, let us know over on BlueSky! We’ll update this post faster than you can say "Nanook." 🧡
For now, here’s one incredible maker you can support today:
🧼 Uasau Soap – uasau.ca
Crafted in Iqaluit with Arctic botanicals, Bowhead whale oil, and the spirit of the tundra, Uasau’s handmade soaps and skincare bring northern traditions to your doorstep. They ship across Canada—so you can experience a little bit of Nunavut’s beauty, wherever you are.
Recipe: Traditional Smoked Arctic Char Dip
This recipe comes from Inuit culinary traditions where Arctic Char is a seasonal staple. This modern take is served at many Nunavut gatherings and events—and it’s easy to make at home. Smoked Char gives it a deep, smoky flavour that’s elevated with simple northern ingredients.
Smoked Arctic Char Dip
Ingredients
1 cup smoked Arctic Char, flaked
½ cup cream cheese, softened
¼ cup sour cream
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp chopped fresh dill (or 1 tsp dried)
Salt & pepper to taste
Optional: finely chopped red onion or capers
Directions
In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese and sour cream until smooth.
Add lemon juice, dill, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
Fold in the smoked Char and optional add-ins.
Chill for at least 30 minutes to let the flavours meld.
Serve with bannock, crackers, or raw veggies.
🧊 Extra special note: This dip is often served at community feasts in Nunavut, especially when Char is caught fresh. It’s creamy, smoky, and just a little bit wild—just like the land it comes from.
📽️ By the way, if you’re looking for a great show to binge while snacking on this dip, I thoroughly recommend North of North from CBC (). This Inuit-led comedy series is funny, moving, inspiring, and beautiful. Highly worth the watch and greenlit for a second season.
📽️ Looking for something to watch while digging into this dip? Check out North of North from CBC (also on catch it on CBC Gem or Netflix). This Inuit-led comedy is funny, moving, and full of heart — a beautiful, inspiring series that’s already been greenlit for a second season. Totally binge-worthy.
Wrap-Up: From the Cold Comes Connection
Whether you’re bundling up for a walk to Black Heart Café or browsing Arctic Organics from your kitchen table, Nunavut reminds us that Canada’s strength is in its diversity—and its deliciousness.
We hope you’ll try the dip (bonus points if you find real Arctic Char to use), maybe support a northern business, and share a taste of Nunavut with the people you love. And if not today, someday—because the north is calling, and it has snacks.
Stick around as we keep heading west for the next stop to The Northwest Territories on our #30CanadianFoods tour!
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