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Indigenous-owned · Saskatoon, Treaty 6 · Shipping across Canada
An introduction to Rankin Inlet: its history, the Nations whose lands it sits on, and Indigenous community life today, with sources.
Rankin Inlet, called Kangiqtiniq in Inuktitut, meaning deep inlet, lies on the northwestern coast of Hudson Bay and serves as the hub of Nunavut’s Kivalliq region. The community grew after Inuit moved to the area to work at the Rankin Inlet nickel mine, which operated from 1957 until 1962. Most residents are Inuit, and Inuktitut and English are the main languages. The hamlet is internationally known for Inuit ceramics, along with prints, carvings and bronze casting, and the Matchbox Gallery is a well-known place to see local art. Along the Meliadine River, known locally as Iqalugaarjuk, the land holds evidence of both Thule and Caribou Inuit settlement. Its Inuktitut name is translated as the land around the river of little fish. Recovery came through a fishery and an Inuit craft industry. The Nunavut Agreement reshaped land rights here. Inuit exchanged Aboriginal title to their traditional lands in the Nunavut Settlement Area for the rights and benefits it sets out.
Rankin Inlet, Kangiqtiniq, is an Inuit community on the west coast of Hudson Bay.
Nearby: Whale Cove · Chesterfield Inlet · Baker Lake
Rankin Inlet is home to the Kivalliq Inuit Association, based on Sivulliq Avenue. It is a Designated Inuit Organization under the Nunavut Agreement and one of three Regional Inuit Associations linked to Nunavut Tunngavik. It represents Inuit in seven communities: Arviat, Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet, Coral Harbour, Rankin Inlet, Naujaat and Whale Cove. Each community elects a director to its board, alongside a president, vice-president and secretary-treasurer. At the time of writing, Kono Tattuinee served as president. The association runs Inuktitut literacy camps and youth programs. It also offers harvester support, family and bereavement support, scholarships and post-secondary awards. Its economic development work includes business funding and entrepreneurship support. Revenue comes in part through its subsidiaries, Sakku Investments and Nukik Corp. On the land, Iqalugaarjuup Nunanga Territorial Park offers cultural learning sessions on traditional practices. At Qarmaviniqtalik, an interpretive trail leads visitors through historic campsites. Berry picking runs from late August to mid-September, with lingonberries, crowberries, blueberries and cloudberries. Caribou herds migrate through the park in spring and fall, and its waters yield Arctic char and lake trout.
More on the region: Indigenous Nunavut · all of Canada.
XUSI is an Indigenous-owned business from Saskatoon, started in 2020 by two brothers from northern Saskatchewan. Along with our clothing, we bring Indigenous youth workshops and custom screen printing to Rankin Inlet and across Nunavut.
Strong Roots Strong Future is our interactive workshop for Indigenous youth, led by the two brothers who founded XUSI. We travel to schools, First Nations and Indigenous communities, youth organizations and funding programs in Rankin Inlet and across Nunavut. Youth ages 10 and up work through identity and culture, financial literacy, fitness, entrepreneurship and business skills, career readiness and hands-on screen printing.
Custom t-shirts, hoodies and crewnecks for Rankin Inlet schools, sports teams, businesses, events and First Nations and Indigenous organizations. Send us an idea, get free design help and a full quote before anything is printed. We print in Saskatoon and ship to Rankin Inlet. 10-garment minimum, up to 4 colours per design.
Heavyweight cotton tees, hoodies, crewnecks and A-frame hats with Cree words and the stories behind them. Fitness is part of how XUSI started, so our pieces are built for the gym and the street, and we ship them to Rankin Inlet.
Yes. Orders ship from Saskatoon and usually leave within 1–3 business days. Shipping cost to Rankin Inlet is calculated at checkout, and orders of $90 or more ship free within Canada.
Custom screen printing has a 10-garment minimum, up to 4 colours per design, and every order is quoted before printing. Design help is included, the maximum screen is 23x31 inches, and your order is printed in Saskatoon and shipped to you.
Yes. Any youth program can order custom screen printing from 10 garments, with up to 4 colours per design. Every order gets a full quote before anything is printed, and design help is included. Since shipping north takes time, order several weeks before your camp begins.
Last reviewed . Facts on this page come from the sources listed below.
XUSI is run by two brothers from a small reserve community in northern Saskatchewan. They started the brand in Saskatoon in 2020, on Treaty 6 territory, and they draw every piece that ships to Rankin Inlet.
The words on the clothing are Cree, and the meanings are written by the founders themselves. Read all of them on the Meanings page, or start with Cree language clothing.
