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 60 th 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!!