Harry DeWolf class Northern Affiliation

Caption

HMCS Margaret Brooke sailing off the coast of Labrador during Sea Trials in 2021.

Sailor 1st Class Amy Harris engages with a tiny member of the Hamlet of Arctic Bay community Nunavut during a gathering between HMCS Harry DeWolf during a community visit in August 2021.

In 2017, the Royal Canadian Navy decided to affiliate the new Harry DeWolf-class Arctic Offshore and Patrol Vessels with communities in the North.

The heart of Northern Affiliation is building connections and relationships between the people of a region and its associated ship. Working with youth groups, community members, and local leaders, Affiliation is meant to cultivate a deep relationship and instill a shared pride with the communities and the ship’s crew.

The six Inuit regions in the North that will be affiliated with the class include Nunavut’s three sub-regions, Qikiqtaaluk, Kitikmeot, and Kivalliq, as well as Nunavik, Nunatsiavut, and Inuvialuit.

Caption

A scenic shot of the community of Nain, Labrador – the affiliated community of HMCS Margaret Brooke in July 2022.

Sub-Lieutenant Nicholas Lucciola (left), aboard HMCS Harry DeWolf, gives a tour to community members of Pond Inlet, Nunavut, during Operation Nanook-Nunakput in August 2021.

What are Northern Affiliations?

Northern Affiliations are centered on a shared understanding, exchange of ideas, relationship building and mutual respect between the Navy and communities in the North. Northern Affiliations create opportunities for learning through community events, initiatives and cultural interactions.

Ships’ Northern Affiliations with Inuit Nunangat

Ship Affiliation
HMCS Harry Dewolf Qikiqtani
HMCS Margaret Brooke Nunatsiavut
HMCS Max Bernays Kitikmeot
HMCS William Hall Kivalliq
HMCS Frédérick Rolette Nunavik
HMCS Robert Hampton Gray Inuvialuit

History of Northern Affiliations

The first interaction the Royal Canadian Navy had with the north of the north Atlantic region was during the Second World War and the Murmansk Run, a convoy route allowing the navy to sail into the Arctic Ocean to deliver supplies to the Soviet Union.

A total of 41 allied convoys sailed to the northern ports of Murmansk and Archangel.

In 1948 HMCS Magnificent and HMC Ships Haida, Nootka became the first ships to enter Canada’s Arctic.

In 1949, HMCS Cedarwood with HMCS Swansea sailed to the Western and Eastern Arctic. Swansea visited Frobisher Bay, Koojessin Inlet and Nuuk, Greenland to conduct scientific research and familiarisation with Arctic conditions. These deployments set the pattern for future Arctic deployments, specifically, familiarisation with Arctic conditions, scientific research, community relations and cooperation with Arctic allies.

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