Lab-O-Nord

Built in the heart of the neighbouring communities of Whapmagoostui (Cree First Nation) and Kuujjuarapik (Inuit), the CEN research complex in Whapmagoostui-Kuujjuarapik is located on the east coast of Hudson Bay, at the maritime limit of James Bay, near the mouth of the Grande Rivière de la Baleine. In operation since the 1970s, the research complex is located at the gateway to Nunavik and is the main research infrastructure of the Centre d’études nordiques (CEN) for the study of northern geosystems and ecosystems.

Mission of the CEN Whapmagoostui-Kuujjuarapik Research Complex and Community Science Centre : Built in the heart of the neighbouring communities of Whapmagoostui (Cree First Nation) and Kuujjuarapik (Inuit), the CEN Research Complex in Whapmagoostui-Kuujjuarapik (55° 15′ N, 77° 45′ W) is located on the east coast of Hudson Bay, at the maritime limit of James Bay, near the mouth of the Grande Rivière de la Baleine. In operation since the 1970s, and substantially renovated and improved in 2010, the complex is located at the gateway to Nunavik and is CEN’s main research infrastructure for the study of northern geosystems and ecosystems. The Complex is open to researchers from all backgrounds (university, college, government and private) as well as members of local communities. The mission of the Complex is to: Promote, facilitate and stimulate multidisciplinary scientific research in collaboration with Northerners; Disseminate information on ongoing research; Provide a forum for meeting and knowledge exchange between local communities and the Canadian and circumpolar scientific community; Provide accommodation, laboratory and greenhouse space for researchers; Provide a coordination and logistics service for work in remote areas.

The Whapmagoostui-Kuujjuarapik research complex and associated services are available to researchers from all sources (university, college, government and private) working in the area or travelling to other northern regions. The station can also accommodate groups of high school, college and university students wishing to do an internship in the North. Small group scientific and educational workshops can also be held at the station. Make arrangements in advance. The CEN research station in Whapmagoostui-Kuujjuarapik (WK) is at the heart of the Qaujisarvik network, it is open year-round with a manager on site. It includes 5 buildings including a residence (which can accommodate approximately 28 people), a cafeteria, laboratories and an experimental greenhouse, a workshop and warehouses. Presence of about twenty major instruments participating in global networks, e.g. solar photometer, terrestrial geomagnetism, etc.