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Nunavut: A New Government, a New Vision

On April 1, 1999, Canada's geographical and political map changed and a new jurisdiction, Nunavut, was created. Nunavut was formed from the eastern part of the Northwest Territories and was officially named Canada's third territory.

Nunavut, "our land" in Inuktitut language, is the realization of more than 20 years of negotiations and planning by the Inuit of the Eastern and Central Arctic. Under the 1993 Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, Inuit received from the federal government a settlement of $1.1 billion to be paid in annual installments until 2007. Inuit also gained control of about 356,000 square kilometers of land (about 18 per cent of Nunavut), of which nearly 38,000 square kilometers include title to subsurface (mineral) rights.

The Agreement also gave Inuit the right to self-government and self-determination. While Inuit represent 85% of the population in the Nunavut area, they have chosen to pursue their aspirations to self-determination through a public government structure rather than through Inuit-specific self-government arrangements. Nunavut is governed through a public government framework that represents all residents, Inuit and non-Inuit alike.

The Nunavut public government system includes an elected Legislative Assembly, consisting of a Speaker, Premier, a seven-member Cabinet and 10 Regular Members. The system also includes the Nunavut Public Service and a single-level trial court.

Nunavut faces many challenges: high costs for goods and public services, a young workforce, high levels of unemployment, low education levels and low average annual incomes. The creation of Nunavut, however, gives residents greater decision-making power and control over how to meet these challenges. Combined with the settlement of the Inuit land claim in 1992, the establishment of Nunavut government will help stimulate the region's economy, creating both public and private sector jobs.

While Nunavut has the same status and powers as the Northwest Territories and Yukon Territory, it also operates in a way unique from any other jurisdiction in Canada.

For example, Nunavut incorporates Inuit values and beliefs into a contemporary system of government. Its working language is Inuktitut, but other languages used in government are Inuinnaqtun, English and French. Inuit culture is promoted through the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth which plays a key role in helping all departments develop and implement policy reflective of Inuit values.

The Nunavut Government is based on a decentralized model that would see its departments located in 10 communities outside the capital of Iqaluit. While all departments will be headquartered in Iqaluit, there will be regional offices in various communities in each of Nunavut's three regions: Qikiqtaaluk (Baffin), Kivalliq (Keewatin) and Kitikmeot.

In an effort to bring government closer to the people, municipal governments will also play a greater role in the implementation of programs and services.

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