Arctic Canada & Nunavut

A Journey to the North

Introduction• Aboriginal peoples have

sustained themselves in the Arctic for thousands of years.

• Because of the Arctic Climate:– No agriculture– Few non-native inhabitants– Land remains home to indigenous

peoples

Physical Overview• North of the 60th

Parallel• Arctic Climate

– Permafrost– Short Summers– Frigid Winters– Few plants and

animal species• A “Neglected

Landscape”

The Inuit People• Historically relied

upon fish, seal, whale, walrus, caribou, and muskox for subsistence

• Linear settlement patterns along coastlines

• Extensive hunting territories

The Inuit

• Important Innovations:– Kayaks, harpoons, dog sleds, igloos, oil

lamps

Nunavut: “Our Land”

• The inuksuk symbolizes stone monuments which guide people on the land and mark sacred and other special places.

Nunavut

Nunavut: Fact Sheet• Created April 1, 1999 as a result

of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.

• Was once a part of the NW Territories

• 2 million sq km/ 1.2 million sq mi• Total population of 30,000• Capital at Iqaluit (pop. 6000)

Iqaluit, Nunavut

The People of Nunavut

• 30,782 people/ .0156 p/sq km• Median Age: 22.1 years

85% Inuit• 4 Languages: Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun,

English, and French

The Government of Nunavut

• Public government, elected by residents.

• Legislative Assembly elects a Premier (Paul Okalik)

• Gov’t incorporates aboriginal values: – Maximum cooperation– Effective use of resources– Common Accountability

Bathurst Mandate

• Values and Priorities that guide governmental procedures.– Healthy Communities– Simplicity and Unity– Self-Reliance– Continuing Learning

Nunavut: A Virtual Tour• You will be assigned, in groups, an

aspect of Nunavut to research online.

• Following your research, construct a pamphlet that outlines your findings.

• Be sure that all contribute to this assignment!!