Churchill is located on the southwestern shore of Hudson Bay at the mouth of the historic Churchill River. The town of just over 1000 people, is approximately 970 kilometres north of Winnipeg by air and 1700 kilometres by rail. Churchill is the northern most terminus of the Hudson Bay Rail line, and is one of the northern-most communities in Manitoba. Churchill is used as a hub for many Northern Manitoba and Nunavut communities.
History
The mouth of the Churchill River is rich in Canadian heritage. Thousands of years before the first Europeans arrived, Aboriginal people such as the Predorset, the Dorset, the Thule, the Cree, the Dene and the Inuit, inhabited the area. Native people made good use of the seasonal cycles of game, fish and berries in their search for food. European explorers arrived in the area searching for the Northwest Passage. Instead, they found a wealth of animal furs. The Hudson's Bay Company and the Northwest Company, opened up the fur trade and changed the face of Northern Manitoba forever.
Many of the first settlers to central Canada arrived by way of York Factory and Churchill. The cold and open landscape surrounding Churchill is covered with snow for a good portion of the year. During the short summer season, however, the area is alive with small game and insects and the blossoms of dozens of species of small flowers that thrive on the arctic meadow. The area is a nature lover's paradise, and an outdoorsmen's dream.
Economic Base
Churchill has a small but intense business sector. As a transportation hub for the north, the town has a busy rail line and airport. Churchill also has the only inland saltwater port in Canada. Air or rail brings in goods from the south, then shipped by barge or sea going vessels to numerous points through the north. The area has a strong research presence. Many scientific professionals use The Churchill Northern Studies Centre and the Institute of Arctic Ecophysiology, as a home base for their studies. The Port of Churchill is a fully functioning seaport, capable of shipping most bulk commodities and many other import and export products. The Churchill Grain Terminal can clean and store 140,000 tonnes of grain for shipment during the late summer season.
Perhaps the largest of all industries in Churchill is its tourism sector. The year in Churchill can be broken down into 4 distinct tourist seasons. From late May to August, the area is a birdwatcher's paradise, allowing visitors to see a large variety of species, including the rare and sought after Ross' Gull. July and August are Beluga season in Churchill, as thousands of the white whales move into the warmer waters of the Churchill River. In September and early November, Churchill is the Polar Bear capital of the World. Hundreds of bears congregate in the area awaiting the onset of winter and the freeze-up of Hudson Bay. Polar Bear season is the mainstay of Churchill's tourist industry. Throughout the winter months, tourists arrive from all corners of the globe to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. This celestial ballet is more pronounced in the north than in the south. Many of the small businesses in the Churchill area cater directly to the influx of tourists, by providing accommodation, and meals, tours and information.
Churchill also has a strong health sector, with the Churchill Regional Health Authority (CRHA) providing services to much of Northern Manitoba and Nunavut Territory. The Northern Medical Unit of the University of Manitoba provides resident doctors, as well as visiting specialists.
Major Attractions
The focal point of the community is the Town Centre Complex. This multi-use facility houses many different recreation, venues and services. The complex is home to the Churchill Regional Health Authority (including the hospital), as well as, local government offices. A school (grades 1-12) and public library are also located in the complex.
Recreational facilities in the complex include a hockey arena, curling rink, gymnasium, swimming pool, bowling alley and a 300-seat theatre. There is also a child's playground and a cafeteria. Other attractions in Churchill are Parks Canada's National Historic Sites and Visitors Centre, and the world famous Eskimo Museum.
The biggest attraction to the Churchill area, however, is the unique beauty of the pristine natural surroundings, and the exciting opportunities that they present.
