Uvayuq facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Uvayuq |
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Uvayuq, north of Cambridge Bay (Victoria Island)
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | More than 200 m (660 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Uvayuq
Location in Nunavut
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| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Esker |
Uvayuq, also known as Ovayok or Mount Pelly, is a special type of hill called an esker. It's found in the Kitikmeot Region of Nunavut, Canada. This unique landform is located in the Canadian North, on Victoria Island. It's part of the beautiful Ovayok Territorial Park. Uvayuq stands over 200 m (660 ft) tall. It's about 15 km (9.3 mi) northeast of a small town called Cambridge Bay, also in Nunavut.
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Ancient History of Uvayuq
The land around Uvayuq has been important to the Inuit people for a very long time. They used it as a place to hunt. Experts have found more than 120 archaeological sites on this esker. These sites show where people lived and stored food.
Some of the things found include pirujaq, which are storage places. There are also old campsites and even a grave. One very interesting discovery was a pile of loon bones. These bones had been carefully cut at every joint.
Local Inuit elders had never seen anything like it. They said it must have happened long before their grandparents were alive. This strange find matched an old Inuit legend. The legend tells of a time when people in the area were starving. They were saved when a skilled hunter caught a loon. To feed everyone, the loon's bones had to be broken at every joint. This way, everyone could get a piece.
Modern Exploration of Uvayuq
The esker got its English name, Mount Pelly, in 1839. It was named by explorers Thomas Simpson and Peter Warren Dease. They named it to honor Sir John Henry Pelly. He was the governor of the Hudson's Bay Company, a very important trading company at the time.
Simpson and Dease had traveled a long way to reach this area. They came from Great Bear Lake, then down the Coppermine River, and finally to the Back River.
Later, in 1850-1851, another explorer named John Rae visited the area. He was searching the south coast of Victoria Island. He was looking for clues about the lost expedition of John Franklin. During his search, John Rae climbed to the very top of Mount Pelly.
Inuit Legends of the Giants
Behind Uvayuq, there are two more eskers. These are called Inuuhuktu and Amaaqtuq. The Inuit people have a special legend about these three hills. They believe the hills are a family of starving giants.
The legend says the giant family was crossing Victoria Island. They were looking for food because they were very hungry. Sadly, the father, Uvayuq, died first. Then, the son, Inuuhuktu, also died. His name means "teenaged boy" in English. Finally, the mother, Amaaqtuq, died. Her name means "packing baby" in English, because she was carrying her baby. This story helps explain how these unique hills were formed.
Images for kids
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Inuuhuktu (Baby Pelly) and Amaaqtuq (Lady Pelly)
