Kekerten Island facts for kids
Kekerten Territorial Park
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 Kekerten Island
Location in Nunavut
Kekerten Island
Location in Canada
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Cumberland Sound |
| Coordinates | 65°42′N 065°48′W / 65.700°N 65.800°W |
| Archipelago | Canadian Arctic Archipelago |
| Administration | |
| Nunavut | Nunavut |
| Region | Qikiqtaaluk |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited |
Kekerten Island is a small island in Nunavut, Canada. No one lives on the island today. It is part of the Qikiqtaaluk Region.
Kekerten Island is the most southern of the Kikastan Islands. It is located in the Cumberland Sound. This area is off the Cumberland Peninsula of Baffin Island. Nearby islands include Akulagok Island, Tuapait Island, and Kekertukdjuak Island.
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Kekerten Territorial Park
A special place called Kekerten Territorial Park is found on the island. This park helps protect the island's history. It is a great spot to learn about the past.
A Glimpse into Kekerten Island's History
Kekerten Island has an interesting past. It was once a busy place for whalers and traders. Many years ago, people came here for different reasons.
Whaling in Cumberland Sound
In the early 1800s, Scottish whalers began fishing in the Cumberland Sound. They hunted whales for their oil and other products. By the 1850s, American whalers also arrived. They started setting up winter stations. These were places where they could stay during the cold months.
One famous whaler was Captain William Penny from Aberdeen. He spent several winters at Kekerten around 1883–1884. He was an important figure in the whaling industry.
Early Explorers and Researchers
Kekerten also attracted scientists. A famous anthropologist named Franz Boas lived there. He studied the people and culture of Baffin Island. Boas stayed at the Kekerten settlement for 13 months. His research began in August 1883.
From Whaling to Trading Post
After the whaling era, Kekerten changed. In 1915, a company bought the island. It was called Robert Kinnes & Co. They turned Kekerten into a trading post. Here, people could trade goods like furs.
In 1923, the Hudson's Bay Company bought the trading post. This company was very well-known in Canada. However, a new main post was set up in Pangnirtung. Because of this, Kekerten was no longer needed. The trading post on Kekerten Island was closed in 1925. The island has been uninhabited ever since.
