Today, Sanikiluaq is a growing, modern settlement whose economy is based on subsistence hunting, fishing, tourism and soapstone carving. Its Land and Wildlife Most of the small islands in the archipelago provide breeding grounds for several species of ducks and geese. Rock crevices, lakes and ponds are summer home to many other migrating birds . There are also a few land birds such as rock ptarmigan, rough-legged hawk, peregrine falcon, snowy owl, horned lark, Lapland longspur and snow bunting. Arctic char are found in the rivers, lakes, and offshore waters, while whitefish swim in the lakes.
Coastal waters are a source of cod, capelin, lump fish, and sculpin.
They're also home to ringed seal, bearded seal, harbour seal, beluga whale, walrus and polar bear . On the tundra, fox, reindeer, arctic hare, and lemming may be seen. Reindeer were introduced in 1978 about 100 years after the caribou disappeared. Sanikiluaq, anchored in Hudson Bay, has weather that can be blustery and unpredictable. The islands are surrounded by open sea, and high winds and storms can arise suddenly.