Gjoa Haven's Inuit Name is Uqsuqtuuk which translates to something like „place with a lot of blubber“ – referring to seal that were hunted by the Inuit. The hamlet is surrounded by plenty of history. It was Roald Amundsen, the Norwegian explorer, who stayed at this place for quite some time to escape the harsh winter weather. It is said that he took the advice of the local Inuit people and was therefor successful in completing the Northwest Passage as the first human ever.
Today, you can find some relics of this past and also the Franklin Expedition in Gjoa Haven, which was used as a trading post for the Hudson's Bay company as well. Visit the information center and the Nattilik Heritage Center and take a walk to the Amundsen monument.