In recent history, at the beginning of the 20th century, the Revillon Frères and Hudson’s Bay Company set up fur trading posts a few kilometres south of present-day Puvirnituq. In 1952, the Hudson’s Bay Company moved in and opened a general store on the village’s current site. The establishment of this outpost, plus the closing of the Cape Smith location, led Inuit from different camps to come together and relocate in the area. Archaeological research has assessed the traces of human occupation to be between 600 and 800 years old.
In 1958, the Carvers Association of Povungnituk was founded and became one of the most dynamic co-ops in Nunavik. In addition to producing and promoting Inuit art internationally, the co-op has become an object of pride, belonging and cultural affirmation. Out of this came the first community services.
One of the leading figures in the development of Puvirnituq was undoubtedly Taamusi Qumaq. He founded the first Village Council and helped set up a group saving and democratic decision-making system, which led to the creation of the first non-governmental cooperative in the Canadian Arctic. He also found the Saputik Museum and wrote and published an encyclopaedia and a dictionary on the Inuit language. Taamusi Qumaq was awarded the Order of Canada and the Order of Quebec.
