The Nunavut Territory

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For many years the great natural resources of northern Canada were managed by the federal government located in the southern region of this nation, a world away. As in many parts of the world, local inhabitants' input and management was not a factor. But by the late 1960's there developed a political awareness among the Inuit of northern Canada and, with this, the beginnings of a more powerful sense of self-determination.

In 1971, the national Inuit organization known as the ITC or Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, meaning 'Inuit Brotherhood,' was formed. Initially to provide guidance to the federal government for activities in the north, the ITC evolved and the concepts of aboriginal rights became very important. Land claims proposals were developed following a Supreme Court of Canada decision split 3 to 3 concerning the recognition of these rights. In 1977, at a general assembly meeting of the ITC, a two-page document called for 'the formation of a new territory and government within Canada Confederation along the lines of Inuit political institutions.' The document was called 'Nunavut' or 'Our Land.'

The idea of dividing the Northwest Territories (NWT) in two had been first proposed in 1962. Fifteen years later, the eastern Arctic and the Inuit brought the issue up again, arguing that there was a natural division in the NWT along the tree line. The new territory along the east would be called Nunavut. In 1992, the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement was ratified by the Inuit and the following spring two bills were passed in the House of Commons giving the Inuit large control over their land and their lives. One bill ratified the Final Lands Claims Agreement between the Inuit and the federal government and the other created the new territory of Nunavut. In 1999, the government of Nunavut will be established.

The Nunavut Territory contains approximately 22,000 people, of whom 17,500 are Inuit. The size is approximately 136,000 square miles or 1,900,000 square kilometers covering about 20% of Canada. Fourteen thousand square miles will include mineral rights for the Inuit and the Inuit will have the right to harvest wildlife on lands and waters throughout the settlement area. Three new national parks will be formed in the territory.

I arise from rest
With the beat of a raven's wings.
I arise
To meet the day.
My eyes turn from the night
To gaze at the dawn
Now whitening.

 

Additional Resources:

Clair Fejes, People of the Noata, 1966. Volcano, California: Volcano Press.

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