Arctic Canada & Nunavut

1. Arctic Canada & Nunavut A Journey to the North

2. 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

3. Physical Overview • North of the 60th Parallel • Arctic Climate • Permafrost • Short Summers • Frigid Winters • Few plants and animal species • A “Neglected Landscape”

4. The Inuit People • Historically relied upon fish, seal, whale, walrus, caribou, and muskox for subsistence • Linear settlement patterns along coastlines • Extensive hunting territories

5. The Inuit • Important Innovations: • Kayaks, harpoons, dog sleds, igloos, oil lamps

6. Nunavut: “Our Land” • The inuksuk symbolizes stone monuments which guide people on the land and mark sacred and other special places.

7. Nunavut

8. 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)

9. Iqaluit, Nunavut

10. The People of Nunavut • 30,782 people/ .0156 p/sq km • Median Age: 22.1 years85% Inuit • 4 Languages: Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun, English, and French

11. 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

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

13. 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!!