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Nunavut 10th Anniversary Celebration: an Event for the Public at 395 Wellington Street

For immediate release

OTTAWA, January 29, 2009- To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Nunavut, Library and Archives Canada Forum on Canadian Democracy, in partnership with the Royal Canadian Geographic Society and the Arthur Kroeger College of Public Affairs, is hosting a one-day celebratory event to promote informed reflection and dialogue on the past, present and future of Nunavut.

The celebration is open to the public and is being held from 2:00 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. today at 395 Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario.

"We are proud to lead the discussion on the creation of Nunavut and to celebrate its 10th anniversary," said Ian E. Wilson, Librarian and Archivist of Canada. "Nunavut has contributed to Canada significantly since its creation and towards our understanding of our history, diversity and country as a whole."

The day features the culture and people of Nunavut through presentations of photographs, film, storytelling and geography, presented and interpreted by members of the community. An evening panel will take place entitled Nunavut at 10: What's working, what's not and what's next, to discuss the governance of Nunavut over the past ten years and to discuss current and future challenges faced by Nunavummiut and their government.

Special guests at the celebration include Peter Irniq, Former Nunavut Commissioner, Jim Bell, Nunatsiaq News Editor, Ed Picco, former Minister of Education and former Minister of Health and Social Services for the Government of Nunavut, Nancy Karetak-Lindell, Member of Parliament from 1997 to 2008, and Jose Kusugak, President of the Kivalliq Inuit Association and former President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.

Nunavut is the largest and newest territory of Canada. It was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999 via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, though the boundaries had been established in 1993. The creation of Nunavut resulted in the first major change to Canada's map since the incorporation of the new province of Newfoundland in 1949.

About Library and Archives Canada
The mandate of Library and Archives Canada is to preserve the documentary heritage of Canada for the benefit of present and future generations and to be a source of enduring knowledge accessible to all, thereby contributing to the cultural, social and economic advancement of Canada. Library and Archives Canada also facilitates co-operation among communities involved in the acquisition, preservation and diffusion of knowledge, and serves as the continuing memory of the Government of Canada and its institutions.

For more information on the celebration agenda, please visit:
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/democracy

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Isabelle Gaudreau
Media Relations Officer
Library and Archives Canada
819-934-5787