The Red Canoe, NU

Written by Dustin Manley

Abandoned on the beach of Frobisher Bay, just outside the old Hudson’s Bay trading post established in 1943, lays a red canoe. In 1914 the Hudson’s Bay Company opened their first trading post on Baffin Island, 65km southeast of Iqaluit, and begins expansion during the 1920s. Due to the fur crash of the 1930s, Hudson’s Bay moves their trading post to Apex to better serve the Inuit community and benefit from the now operational American airstrip.

The Hudson’s Bay outpost in Apex has long been out of operation and appearing as abandoned as the canoe on its shore. No one I spoke to knew why the canoe was there; however, like the Hudson’s Bay outpost it continues on, bringing tourists from across the world

All photos by Dustin Manley. All rights reserved.