Moravian Missionaries Explore Ungava Bay with Inuit Guidance, Claim Area for Britain

The Moravian missionaries Benjamin Kohlmeister and George Kmoch, accompanied by an experienced Ungava trader named Uttakiyok, reached the Atlantic coast near the tip of the Labrador peninsula. Their journey, guided by Uttakiyok, led them through the perilous Killinek channel, where they encountered the vast expanse of Ungava Bay for the first time. The missionaries noted the striking contrast between the rugged Labrador coastline and the gently sloping hills of Ungava, dotted with small islands and abundant with sea birds.

The missionaries encountered Inuit from the Saglek region, who were traveling to a summer camp. These Inuit, described as “quite ignorant heathen” who had never seen a European, provided evidence of significant Inuit movement between Ungava and the Atlantic coast. The missionaries observed that some Ungava people had traveled to the Moravian mission at Okkak, acting as intermediaries in trade. They exchanged furs for European goods, which they then sold at a high price in Ungava, spending two years on such voyages.

At the estuary of the Kangiqsualujjuaq River, the missionaries spent five days exploring the area. They noted the region’s abundant game, wood, fresh water, and a suitable harbor, which they considered an ideal location for a future mission. There, they conducted a ceremony, claiming the area for Britain and naming the river George River in honor of King George III. They erected cairns on two hills and affixed a wooden plaque declaring their claim in the name of the king, with the presence of witnesses.

Continuing their journey, the missionaries traveled by boat to the Koksoak River, also known as Kuujjuaq. There, they encountered Inuit who had never seen Europeans, or Qallunaat. These Inuit expressed fear of the Innu, who lived inland and were said to be unfriendly. The missionaries identified another promising site for a future mission about 38 kilometers up the river, which they named South River. The area offered favorable conditions for settlement and evangelization, according to their observations.

The Moravians’ expedition to Ungava Bay was part of their broader mission to spread Christianity and establish communities in remote regions. Their interactions with the Inuit highlighted the complex networks of trade and cultural exchange that existed across the region. The missionaries’ accounts provide insight into the challenges and opportunities of missionary work in the Arctic, as well as the indigenous presence and movements in the area. Their efforts reflected the Moravian Church’s commitment to evangelization and the establishment of mission stations in new territories.

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