The Arctic: in a hurry!

Arctic Geography Sparsely populated (approximately people)Sparsely populated (approximately people) Long periods of darkness in winter and daylight in summerLong periods of darkness in winter and daylight in summer So cold! So dry!So cold! So dry! The largest physical region in Canada!The largest physical region in Canada!

Did you know… The lowest monthly temperature ever recorded in Canada was in Nunavut –-47 degrees celsius

Arctic Geography Ground is permanently frozen in most areas (permafrost)Ground is permanently frozen in most areas (permafrost) –How do they build houses? –Where do their hydro/sewage lines go?

Arctic Geography Most northerly island = EllesmereMost northerly island = Ellesmere Most northerly town/ community = AlertMost northerly town/ community = Alert

The people & language The most common ethnic group in the Arctic is the “INUIT” meaning “the people”The most common ethnic group in the Arctic is the “INUIT” meaning “the people” –Don’t call them “Eskimos” meaning “eater of raw flesh” The language they speak is “Inuktitut”The language they speak is “Inuktitut” –“Iqaluit” means “place of the fish”

Don’t call me an Eskimo…or else!

What’s the deal with Nunavut? Nunavut “broke away” from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999Nunavut “broke away” from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999 –It’s capital city is Iqaluit Don’t forget!Don’t forget! –Whitehorse is the capital of the Yukon Territory –Yellowknife is the capital city of the Northwest Territories

Did you know… Nunavut means “our land” In Iqaluit there are: –40 taxis –2 tanning salons –1 high school and 1 college –21 km of paved road…TOTAL!

Did you know… ½ the people living in Nunavut are under the age of 20! –Families have 3x as many children as the rest of Canada!

Problems in the Arctic: POVERTY! The average yearly income in Nunavut is only $11000 –Welfare supports 1/3 of Nunavut’s residents –Unemployment as high as 70% in some locations

Problems in the Arctic: EDUCATION, JOB AVAILABILITY, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, SUICIDE Only ¼ of all Nunavut youths finish high school –The suicide rate is 6x the natural average

Problems in the Arctic: Prices/Cost of Living High transportation costs + land that can’t be used for farming = ridiculous prices!High transportation costs + land that can’t be used for farming = ridiculous prices! –1 Litre milk = $3.29 –1 dozen eggs = $4.00 –1 Litre ice cream = $6.49 –2kg bag of potatoes $8.35

Why the problems? Self-government has proven challengingSelf-government has proven challenging Conflict between the old and the new!Conflict between the old and the new!

Traditional way of life Fur used for clothingFur used for clothing Caribou skins for boatsCaribou skins for boats Narwhal tusks for knives, harpoonsNarwhal tusks for knives, harpoons Seal/whale fat for food, and source of oil for lamps and cookingSeal/whale fat for food, and source of oil for lamps and cooking

Trying to change Most now live in houses similar to oursMost now live in houses similar to ours Television, movies, internet now availableTelevision, movies, internet now available Clothing like oursClothing like ours Travel by snowmobileTravel by snowmobile Churches, storesChurches, stores

What do you think? Does it make sense for the people of the Arctic to live like the rest of Canada? What might help them live a higher quality of life?

Is there anything good in the Arctic? Diamonds!Diamonds! –Canada is now the 3 rd largest diamond producing country in the world

Is there anything good in the Arctic? Oil!Oil! –Transported by a pipeline –Good for: Providing jobs!Providing jobs! –Bad Can hurt fragile arctic environment (permafrost)Can hurt fragile arctic environment (permafrost) Disrupts caribou migrationDisrupts caribou migration

What will his future hold?