Hopedale NL (Newfoundland-Labrador Canada)

Hopedale NL (Agvituk) is a port town in Canada's Newfoundland and Labrador province, with population around 600. Since 2005, the town is the legislative capital of Nunatsiavut (an autonomous Inuit Land Claims Area), while Nain (located approx 1090 mi / 1750 km to the north-northeast by air) is Nunatsiavut's administrative capital.

Hopedale NL can be accessed only by ships/boats and aircraft.

During summer is provided regularly scheduled weekly ferry service linking Hopedale with Vali/Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The roundtrip itinerary from Vali visits Rigolet, Makkovik, Postville, Hopedale, Natuashish, Nain. As cruise port, Hopedale NL is visited by smaller-sized expedition ships and ice-strengthened superyachts.

Hopedale Airport is approx 2 km (1,2 mi) west of the town (connected via the Airstrip Road). PAL Airlines planes provide regular flight connections to CFB Goose Bay Airport (Canadian Forces Base), Nain, Makkovik, Natuashish, Postville, Rigolet. Flights to other Canadian airports are via CFB Goose Bay. Hopedale Airport handles only small planes and helicopters. There is only one service building at the airport.

The settlement (as Agvituk) was founded by the indigenous Inuit people. It was first visited by the Europeans in the late-18th-century, when German missionaries (from the Moravian Brethren/Church) established here the Hopedale Mission in 1782. For 15 years (1953-68) on the hills above the town was located the Hopedale Air Station (joint air base serving both Canadian and American military aircraft).

Nunatsiavut's land (officially Labrador Inuit Settlement Area/LISA) covers land area approx 72500 km2 (28000 mi2), of which only 15000 km2 (5800 mi2) is owned by the Inuuk as "Labrador Inuit Lands". Within LISA is also the Torngat Mountains National Park Reserve (land area approx 9600 km2 / 3700 mi2).