Fireworks lit up the northern night sky over the village of Iqaluit just after midnight on April 1. The exploding northern lights signaled the birth of Canada's newest territory, Nunavut (Nu-na-voot). "Vive le Nunavut! Vive le Canada!" cried Canada's Prime Minister, Jean Chrétien. Long live Nunavut! It's a wish shared by the territory's 21,250 Inuit, Nunavut's native people. The new territory's name means "our land" in their language, Inuktitut.
Nunavut, a sprawling region of tundra, Arctic islands, frozen fjords (fee-yords) and lakes, was carved out of the existing Northwest Territories. It is sparsely populated and huge--about the size of Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain combined.
The icy land reaches to the top of the world and includes the north magnetic pole. Scattered throughout the frigid landscape are 28 villages. The largest village is the tiny capital Iqaluit (ee-kah-loo-eet) with a population of just 4,000. It is 1,250 miles north of Montreal, the nearest city.
A Government Of The People
The creation of Nunavut marks the first time the map of Canada has been redrawn in 50 years. And for the first time in Canada, native people control their own government. Inuit (the name means "the people") make up 85% of Nunavut's population. On February 15, residents held their first election. Fifteen of the 18 members of Nunavut's new legislature are Inuit. Inuktitut is the working language of the government, although French and English are also used. Inuit now have control over the territory's education, health and social services.
"All our powers were taken away by the white man," says Jack Anawak, a member of the new government. "Now we're finally taking them back."
But just as a state is part of the U.S., the territory of Nunavut is part of Canada. More than 90% of the money in Nunavut's $400 million budget will come from the Canadian government. The challenges the new territory's leaders face are as vast as their region. Less than half the adults in Nunavut have regular jobs. Only 15% of Nunavut's Inuit graduate from high school by age 17.
Footprints In New Snow
John Amagoalik, 51, is called the "Father of Nunavut" because of his efforts to establish an Inuit homeland. He believes that having Inuit in positions of power will make a difference. "They understand our language, our history," he says. "They are our friends, our neighbors, our relations."
For thousands of years, Inuit culture depended on hunting, fishing and respect for the land. Inuit were nomads; they moved with the seasons and lived in camps. But the Canadian government encouraged Inuit families to give up their ancient ways and live in permanent settlements.
Amagoalik was a child when this happened to his family. Canada's government forced them to leave their hunting camp on the eastern shore of Hudson Bay and move 1,000 miles to the far north. "All you could see was gravel and snow," he recalls. "I felt very alone."
Nunavut's new leaders hope to correct the mistakes of the past. "We are establishing a standard for future generations," says Nunavut's 34-year-old Prime Minister, Paul Okalik. "They will look to us for guidance."
Nancy Karetak-Lindell, who represents Nunavut in Canada's Parliament, agrees. The creation of Nunavut, she says, "is a momentous occasion of which all Canadians can be proud as we begin to make footprints in new snow."