Success Stories

Arctic Bay, Nunavut

Surrounded by sweeping hills and high cliffs, the hamlet of Arctic Bay on the northwest coast of Baffin Island is home to just over a thousand people—and to a story of perseverance and community pride. Here, Arctic birds nest along the cliffs while narwhals and bowhead whales pass offshore each year. Just outside the community Lies Arqvartuuq, a favourite family camping spot where Moses Oyukuluk spent his youth. Years later, that cherished place would lend its name to the family’s business, a tribute to memory, resilience, and northern spirit.

Born in 1950, Moses moved to Arctic Bay in 1966. Together with his wife Zipporah, they raised six children—now adults living across Canada. Their youngest, David, still calls Arctic Bay home and works alongside his parents while keeping a traditional dog team. Opportunity came in the form of the Nanisivik Mine, a zinc-lead operation that brought infrastructure and jobs to the region. With a growing town nearby, Moses and Zipporah saw a chance to serve their community while building something lasting.

In 1993, the couple founded Arqvartuuq Services Ltd., beginning modestly as a taxi service between Arctic Bay and Nanisivik. As demand grew, they added a bus to transport mine workers and soon won the school bus contract, providing vital transportation for students. By 1996, their determination led to a new venture—heavy-equipment contracting—offering rental services of their loaders, dump trucks, and other machinery for public and private projects.

Never ones to rest on success, the Oyukuluk’s branched into tourism and accommodation. In 2003, they opened the Tangmaarvik Inn, a cozy 10-room hotel with a dining room that welcomed travellers and visiting workers. Seven years later, they added a six-bedroom bed and breakfast, giving visitors even more options to experience Arctic hospitality. The businesses provided stable local employment—up to six staff during peak times—and operated under the growing umbrella of Arqvartuuq Services Ltd. For nearly two decades, the Inn was a cornerstone of the community’s hospitality industry.

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple sold the Inn and B&B to the Taggut Co-operative Association. “It was a good decision at the time for us,” Zipporah said. “We were ready to slow down, and selling the hotel reduced that work for us.”

Today, Arqvartuuq Services Ltd. remains a vital local enterprise. The company maintains the school bus and airport contracts, continues its taxi and vehicle-rental services, and provides heavy-equipment operations for roads and infrastructure. Maintaining equipment is costly—especially hiring certified mechanics from southern Canada—but the Oyukuluk’s persist, even offering mechanical services to other local businesses when needed.

Moses’ leadership extends beyond business. Elected mayor of Arctic Bay in 1999—and again in 2023—he proudly helped establish the Nunavut Quest, a long-distance dog-team race that celebrates Inuit culture and endurance. Together, he and Zipporah built a church for their community, and Moses continues to serve on the Advisory Board for the Baffinland Iron Ore Mine, advocating for local hiring and business opportunities across the Baffin Region.

As Moses and Zipporah look toward retirement, they hope their children will carry forward the legacy of Arqvartuuq Services Ltd., continuing to serve the people of Arctic Bay with the same dedication that built the company from a single taxi into a cornerstone of community life. Asked what advice he would offer to new entrepreneurs, Moses shares words born of experience:

“There will be many challenges, so do not give up on the first challenge, there will be more opportunities for the future and once you overcome each challenge you will be good.”

“Any paperwork that needs to be filed with government or legal must be done and kept up to date.”

From a taxi on the tundra to a business that moves a community, Arqvartuuq Services Ltd. stands as a proud example of what vision, hard work, and northern resilience can achieve.

Guiding with Heart and Purpose. For Ted Irniq, the land and water have always been more than just a backdrop to his life—they are a source of identity, healing, and inspiration. Born to a French Canadian mother and an Inuk father, Ted grew up in Rankin Inlet immersed in outdoor activities and traditional ways of respecting the land. Though life took him to Yellowknife, where he finished high school and trained as a mechanic, and later to Iqaluit to continue his apprenticeship, Ted realized his true passion wasn’t in a workshop—it was out on the land.

With the steadfast support of his wife Sonia and their two children Kloe and Adam, Ted chose a new path, one that combined his love for Nunavut’s wilderness with his desire to share it with others. Before officially launching his business, Ted worked in environmental technology programs, taught youth outdoor skills, and spent three seasons guiding on the expedition cruise ship One Ocean, including an unforgettable season around Ellesmere Island and two in Antarctica. These experiences honed his skills in customer service and deepened his understanding of what visitors seek: authentic connections with place and people.

In 2017, Ted took the leap and started Tikippugut Inc., incorporating the company in 2021. What began with a single boat, snowmobile, qamutik, and a basic set of tools has grown into a thriving Inuit-owned and operated outfitting business. Today, Tikippugut operates two cruise boats, nine snowmobiles, and employs up to three local Inuit guides seasonally—often more during peak demand. These guides, trained in Wilderness First Aid and proficient in Small Vessel Operations, share not only their skills but also their culture and perspectives with guests eager to learn. “The tips are better when guides are engaged and sharing their stories,” Ted smiles.

BBDC is proud to have supported Ted on this journey. Through financial assistance and guidance, BBDC helped Tikippugut secure the equipment needed to meet growing client demand. Alongside support from Kakivak Association and CanNor, these investments have enabled Ted to build a business that contributes to Nunavut’s tourism sector while creating local employment opportunities.

Running a business in Nunavut isn’t without its challenges. Licensing, paperwork, and the ongoing search for proper storage and maintenance space for his growing fleet of equipment remain hurdles. But Sonia—who manages the accounting, paperwork, and administration on top of her own full-time job—has been instrumental in keeping operations running smoothly.

Ted’s impact extends far beyond tourism. A firm believer in giving back, he harvests country food during his trips on the land and donates it to the food bank, elders, shelters, and others in need. His compassion for his community reflects the same values that guide his business: respect for people, culture, and the land.

“The last year of COVID-19 was hard,” Ted recalls, “but local people, businesses, and the government supported us with Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit days and local trips. It kept the business alive.”

Looking ahead, Ted remains humble yet optimistic. “We’re doing okay—not rich, but okay. We’re prepping for the spring season now, and we think the future looks good.” His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is as grounded as his outlook: “Starting up a business is hard work, slow going. Keep at it, take some problems with a grain of salt, be patient. Push yourself, but not so hard that you push yourself back.”

At BBDC, we are proud to support Inuit entrepreneurs like Ted Irniq—visionaries who are building businesses rooted in culture, compassion, and a deep respect for Nunavut’s land and people.