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On April 1, 1999, the Government of Canada enacted final legislation to establish a third territory--Nunavut ("our land")--in its northernmost lands, slated to join the Northwest Territories (now reduced by one-third of its land base) and the Yukon.
For centuries, the Inuit (formerly known as Eskimos), have occupied and survived this barren land--composed mainly of rock, tundra, ice, fjords, and mountains. Now, at long last, they have their own recognized domain, and self government confirmed in law. Most importantly of all, according to their leaders, they have earned the freedom to create their own destiny as a people, within Canada, North America, and the world.
Nunavut, occupying nearly two million square kilometers of land in the northeastern Arctic, is twice the size of the province of Ontario, and its total Inuit population is about 18,000 (An additional 5,000 persons in the region are non-Inuit). A plebiscite held in December of 1995 established Iqualuit (formerly known as Frobisher Bay) as their seat of government. Iqualuit is the largest community in Nunavut, with a population of 3,600 people.
The ten provinces of Canada exist in their own right, created by the Constitution Acts (1867-1982), but its territories are created by federal law. Normally, they do not have as much control over their own affairs as the provinces do, but, as a result of lengthy negotiations preceding a land claims agreement, the Inuit have won control in areas of jurisdiction that the other territories do not have. And whereas the rest of Canada is officially bilingual (English and French), Nunavut's official language is Inuktitut, for this is the mother tongue of 85% of its population.
The vast expanse of Nunavut contains many contrasts: temperatures, from frigid during ten months of the year, to very warm, in July and August; terrain, from flat lands and shallow tundra lakes in the west to towering fiords, mountains, and icebergs in the eastern area.
Seals, caribou, walrus, whales and arctic char are examples of the wildlife that is basic to Inuit subsistence. 40% of Inuit adults engage in traditional hunting and fishing for their livelihood.
The Inuit warmly welcome tourists to their new territory. Nunavut is considered to be one of the last great adventure travel destinations on earth, and for those travelers who specialize in eco-tourism, there are few equals. A visitor, family, or organized group of visitors can anticipate knowledgeable local guides for viewing and photographing Nunavut's unique scenery and wildlife; canoeing and kayaking; and generally enjoying the awesome experience of its vast national and territorial parks. Visitors can also marvel at the distinctively Inuit arts and crafts, take part in local cultural festivals, and sample indigenous gourmet foods.
Canada's Inuit, both in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories (western Arctic), exercise full membership and participation in an "Arctic bloc" of nations, embodied by the Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC). This international organization represents the Inuit of Canada, Greenland, Alaska, and Russia, on the world stage.
The goals of the ICC are to strengthen Inuit unity in the circumpolar regions; to promote Inuit rights and interests at an international level; and to promote policies that protect the Arctic environment, for example, those around whaling concerns.
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