NUNAVUT: BIRTH OF A TERRITORY?

There are two particularly important aspects to the creation of Nunavut on April 1, 1999: proprietorial and constitutional. The Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act of 1993 resulted in one of the most significant land claim settlements in Canadian history. And the Nunavut Act of 1993 created a new legislative jurisdiction within the Canadian Confederation to come into effect seven years later. These were historic events in Canadian life that didn’t just happen. They were the result of decades of negotiating and planning. Examine the following timeline, which summarizes critical steps in the creation of Nunavut. Suggest why each step is significant.

1973 The Government of Canada establishes the Comprehensive Land Claims Policy. This policy is intended to give aboriginal peoples rights and benefits in return for settling land claims.

1976 The national political organization of Nunavut, called the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, calls for the creation of Nunavut. It is hoped that the creation of Nunavut will help to settle Inuit land claims in the Northwest Territories.

1977 A proposal to create Nunavut is signed by the Inuit, the federal government, and the government of the Northwest Territories.

1982 A plebiscite is held in the Northwest Territories, and 56 per cent of voters say yes to the division of the region.

1985 The final report of the Royal Commission on the Economic Union and Development Prospects for Canada is released. The report states that the creation of a new territory in the Eastern Arctic would make Canada’s north “more governable” and would better accommodate different rates of political and constitutional development in the region.

1993 The Nunavut Land Claim Agreement Act and the Nunavut Act—the latter to create Nunavut—are enacted by Parliament. The Nunavut Implementation Commission is established. This nine-member commission, six of whom must be residents of Nunavut, advises all parties on the funding and design of training plans, the timetable for transferring services, and the process for holding the first election for the Government of Nunavut.

The land claim settlement is the largest land claim in Canadian history. The 1993 agreement gives the Inuit—who had never before signed a treaty with the Canadian government—ownership of 350 000 square kilometres of land, mineral rights in about one-tenth of the area, and a financial settlement of $1-billion over 14 years. As part of the deal, the Inuit agree to give up claim to all other land in the North.

Under the Nunavut Act, the territory of Nunavut is designated as a 1.9 million square kilometre parcel of land to be separate from the Northwest Territories. It is determined that Nunavut will have the same territorial powers and responsibilities as the Northwest Territories; however, because the Inuit make up 85 per cent of the population, the territory will be ruled by native self-government.

1995 Iqaluit is chosen over Rankin Inlet as Nunavut’s capital city.

1997 The federal government appoints Jack Anawak to serve as interim Commissioner of Nunavut.

1999 On February 15, Nunavut residents elect 19 members to the new Legislative Assembly. On April 1, Nunavut and its new government are legally constituted. The Nunavut flag and coat of arms are unveiled.