Nunavut "Our Land"

Introduction:

A new territory is emerging from the lands of the North, a result of demanding of self-government in a region called Nunavut, "Our Land". The Nunavut Land Claim Agreement is the largest land claim settlement in the history of Canada.

In June of 1993 two bills were passed in the House of Commons that will affect all Canadians but particularly the inhabitants of the new territory of Nunavut.

One bill was the "Final Land Claims Agreement" between the Inuit of Nunavut and the Government of Canada and the other was a bill to create a new "Territory of Nunavut" by April 1, 1999.

Final Land Claims Agreement

Highlights:

• title to approx. 375,000 sq. km of Canada's land mass;
• equal representation of Inuit on the following boards
  • wildlife management
  • resource management
  • environmental;

• the right to harvest wildlife on lands and waters throughout the Nunavut settlement area;
• capital transfer payments of 1.15 billion over 14 years;
• a $13 Training Trust Fund;
• a share of Federal Government. royalties from oil, gas and mineral development on Crown lands;
• where Inuit own surface title to the land, the right to negotiate with industry for economic and social benefits from non-renewable resource development;
• the right of first refusal on sport and commercial development of renewable resources in the Nunavut Settlement Area;
• the creation of three new federally funded national parks;
• the inclusion of the new Territory of Nunavut and through this a form of self-government for the Nunavut Inuit.

  Territory of Nunavut

Highlights:

• the new Nunavut Territory will encompass 20% of Canada's land mass (1,900,000 sq. km).
• its capital will be Iqaluit which has a population of 3,600 and is located 2000 km north of Ottawa.
• Grise Ford is the most northern community in Nunavut and it is 2,700 km from Ottawa.
• the government will be a public one but since the total population is 22,000 and Inuit make up 17,500 of that they will have a very powerful influence.
• from 1993 until 1999 the Nunavut Implementation Commission (NIC) will advise all parties on:
  • the funding and design of training plans
  • the timetable for transferring services
  • the process for holding the first election for the Government of Nunavut

• beginning in 1999 the government of Nunavut will take over the responsibilities now carried out by the government of the Northwest Territories. Full responsibility for all areas will be assumed by 2009.

Where to Go to Find out More

Nunavut Land Claim

Nunavut Page

Nunavut: Canada's Inuit Territory

Nunavut Implementation Commission