Nunavut A Discovery Of The Is Essay

Nunavut: A Discovery Of The Is Essay, Research Paper

On April 1st, 1999, a new territory was born. This new territory is called Nunavut, which means our land in the Inuit language. This creation is the result of the largest land claim settlement in Canada s history, and follows years of deliberate negotiations. Nunavut represents an opportunity that is completely unique: a chance to create a self-sustaining economy in a region far removed from the large population and resource that jeopardize cultures in other parts of the world. Essentially, this is Canada s first large-scale test of native self-government and represents a best-case scenario for indigenous development. Yet the renaissance of the Inuit culture is far from secure. There are many problems and challenges that await the Inuit as they embark on the process of defining their new territory. The tumultuous social changes, the politics of hunting and trapping, and the uncertainties of resource exploitation in the fragile Arctic environment are just a few of the challenges that await. The following pages will present an analysis of Nunavut s economic/social make-up, and the problems that threaten the independence it is striving for.

Facts about Nunavut

Nunavut is comprised of 2 million square kilometres, most of it rocky tundra, and includes 7 of Canada s 12 largest islands and two thirds of the country s coastline. Split from the Northwest Territories, Nunavut encompasses 20 percent of Canada s landmass, extending from the Barren Lands west of the Hudson Bay all the way to Ellesmere Island s Cape Columbia, Canada s northernmost point of land.

It has a population of 25,00: 60 percent of which are under the age of 25, and 85 percent of which are Inuit. There are 28 communities spread across this large area. Iqaluit, the capital, is the largest with a population of 4,500. Iqaluit is also home to the territory s only hospital but there are 26 health centres to serve the other communities. The transportation system is relatively non-existent; consisting of one 21 kilometre government-maintained road between Arctic Bay and Nanivisik. There are air connections between communities and daily air connections between Iqaluit and Montreal. Economic activities include mining, tourism, hunting and tapping, and arts and crafts production.

Economy

Resource Development

Nunavut has an abundance of natural resources. The territory s 2 million square kilometres hold a vast untapped potential for wealth and job creation. It has 2 operating lead and zinc mines and has other known deposits of copper, gold, silver, and diamonds. However, much of Nunavut s resource base is non-renewable. This does not pose a problem for the present but will invariably become an issue for future generations.

The climate presents another challenge. Because of its northern location, Nunavut does not provide as efficient a venue as southern locations. The cold weather increases the amount of time in which most operations can be up and running, this increased construction time equates to a higher cost for whoever undertakes the operation. Higher development costs mean two things for Nunavut: 1) it will have to attract large national or multi-national firms who can afford to absorb these costs and 2) it will be more dependent, in terms of the global market place, than other, more southern regions. Market prices will play the determining factor in development. Also, once operations are up and running, market prices will have to stay high and relatively stable; any sharp decreases could easily spell the end for many operations. The distance from markets and supplies and the lack of a developed transportation system are also prohibitive factors that must be considered in the development process.

The fragility of the arctic environment poses yet another problem for resource development. The arctic already has problems with pollution that are none of its own doing.

In the last 20 years, scientists have detected an increasing variety of toxic contaminants in the North pesticides from agriculture, chemicals and heavy metals from industry, and even radioactive fallout from Chernobyl. They have been found in snow, ice, water, and air, and have contaminated every level of the arctic food chain from being carried north by rivers, ocean currents, and atmospheric circulation.

(Twitchell pg53)

Imagine what the results might be when resource begins in earnest within the region. Ina an effort to offset these potential results, environmental regulations will be stringently applied. Again, this results in an increased cost passed on to the developer. It is obvious that, although Nunavut has a vast and diverse resource base, when all the factors are considered, its potential may never be fully realized.

Tourism

Tourism is a viable part of the economy. The chances to experience Inuit culture and view the unspoiled beauty of the arctic are major attractions. More and more visitors from around the world tour the arctic each year. There are three new national parks to be created under the terms of the Nunavut land claim settlement. The creation of these parks combined with the territory s birth was expected to increase exposure to the world markets. However, there is one main obstacle to overcome; the price.

Matty Mcnair, who runs the North Winds with her hus