Nunavut Land Claims Agreement - 1993
As discussed in the previous section, the Tunngavik Federation of Nunavut, along with other Inuit organizations, worked together with the Canadian government and the Government of the northwest Territories in 1992 to compose the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, which was approved but the Inuit population later that year with an 85% majority, and then ratified in 1993. Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) was then established, replacing the Tunngavik Federation of Nunavut as the representative for Inuit treaty negotiation and land claim settlements. NTI is composed of a 10 member board of directors. They currently continue to be responsible for ensuring the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement is fully implemented by the federal government and the the Government of Nunavut (which was established some time after the agreement), and works to ensure their accountability.
Displayed above is the introduction pages of document of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, which was the largest Aboriginal land claim settlement in Canadian history. The agreement was composed of several priorities of Inuit peoples for the future, encompasing policies on the environment, the economy, welfare programs, infrastructure development, natural resources, region-specific needs, regional and territorial governance, etc. In addition, a $1.9 billion Training Trust Fund was instated to be administered over a 15 year time span for the purpose of the establishment of the Government of Nunavut. This act was a breakthrough for the rights of Inuit peoples as distinct and unique nations within Canada's borders. It allowed for the reinstatement of Inuit culture and traditional systems of organization.
The organizations involved in the development of the act continue to work to further ensure the implementation of land claim settlement, Inuit self-governance, as well as protection of lands of cultural importance to the peoples.
The organizations involved in the development of the act continue to work to further ensure the implementation of land claim settlement, Inuit self-governance, as well as protection of lands of cultural importance to the peoples.