Nunavut

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Recent Developments

Two major developments took place during the 1990s: settlement of the Inuit land claims and creation of the Territory of Nunavut. Together, these developments provided the Inuit with the tools to shape their destiny in the 21st century.

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Inuit Land Claims Agreement

The creation of the Territory of Nunavut is linked to settlement of the Inuit’s land claims with the Canadian government. During the 1970s, the Inuit claimed the rights to aboriginal land in the central and eastern Arctic. The Tungavik Federation of Nunavut was the Inuit negotiating organization that reached a land claim agreement with the federal government. After the passing of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act by the Canadian government in 1993, the Tungavik Federation of Nunavut became Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, which manages the cash benefits obtained under the Nunavut Lands Claim Agreement. The agreement also included the Nunavut Political Accord, which called for the establishment of a separate territory for the Inuit. In 1993 the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act were ratified by parliament at the same time. A transition period to 1999 was designed to help the Inuit prepare for the new government of Nunavut and for the training of Nunavut residents for job opportunities created by the government of Nunavut.

Three major obstacles remained. The first was determining whether a majority of people in the Northwest Territories favored splitting the territory. In 1982 a plebiscite, or direct vote of the people, was taken and the voters approved dividing up the Northwest Territories. Second, the Inuit and Dene, the people native to the western Northwest Territories, had to agree on the boundary separating Nunavut from the Northwest Territories. In 1992 residents in the Northwest Territories approved the proposed boundary. Finally, the Inuit had to ratify the final Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act with the government. The Inuit ratified the agreement in November 1992 with the support of 85 percent of Inuit voters.

With these obstacles overcome, the national government in Ottawa proceeded to enact the appropriate legislation. In 1993 the Parliament of Canada passed the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, ratifying the agreement with the Inuit, and the Nunavut Act, creating Nunavut out of the Northwest Territories.

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The Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act represents the largest land claims settlement in Canada. Under this agreement, the Inuit surrendered their aboriginal rights to lands and waters anywhere in Canada in exchange for a number of benefits. The agreement included a cash benefit totaling C$1.148 billion, spread over 14 years, with the first payment in 1993. In addition, a C$13 million Training Trust Fund was established to prepare the Inuit for the approximately 600 new government jobs in Nunavut. The Inuit received legal title to 350,000 sq km (135,000 sq mi) of land, 35,200 sq km (13,600 sq mi) of which include mineral rights.

The agreement also established clear rules of ownership and control over land and resources within Nunavut. For example, the Inuit have equal representation on the management boards for wildlife, resources, and the environment in Nunavut. Other features include the right to harvest wildlife on government lands and waters; a share of federal government royalties from oil, gas, and mineral development on government lands; and the creation of three new national parks. The agreement contained a provision establishing the Territory of Nunavut and through this territory a form of self-government for the Nunavut Inuit.

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The Territory of Nunavut

The Nunavut Act envisaged that the government of Nunavut would evolve into a full-fledged territorial government by April 1, 1999. It set a transition period to allow the Inuit to take charge of their new government. The Nunavut Act established the Nunavut Implementation Commission to handle matters during the transition period between 1993 and 1999. The commission’s mandate was to advise the government of Canada, the government of the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated regarding the organization and structure of the new government leading up to April 1, 1999.

The commission faced two pressing issues: dividing the assets and liabilities of the Northwest Territories between the two territories, and devising a timetable for transferring services from the government of the Northwest Territories to the government of Nunavut. Other issues the commission dealt with were establishing training programs for Inuit seeking jobs within Nunavut’s civil service and determining the process for electing the government of Nunavut.

In February 1999 more than 10,000 voters, representing 88 percent of those eligible to vote, selected the 19 members of Nunavut’s first legislative assembly. The assembly met the following month to elect a premier, a cabinet, and a deputy of the assembly so that the Nunavut government was in place on April 1, the official establishment day for the territory.

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The Future

The birth of Nunavut fulfills a dream. The combination of a land claims agreement and a political state is unique in Canadian history. Even though Nunavut’s geography limits its opportunities to develop its economy, the Inuit now have control over their lands and people. Events in the 1990s provided the foundation for a better future. The settling of outstanding Inuit land claims and the creation of a new territory allow the Inuit to focus their energies on economic and social issues. Expectations are high, but major challenges confront the government and the managers of the Inuit lands. Both must encourage economic and social developments that break the poverty cycle holding back many Inuit families. Although development involves many factors, many more young Inuit will have to prepare themselves for these new economic opportunities if Nunavut is to reach its full potential.