Sadly, I missed Nunavut Day as it was July 9th and commemorates the passage of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, establishing Canada’s largest and newest territory. This significant day honors the Inuit people’s self-determination and the unique culture of the Canadian Arctic. So, while I missed the actual Nunavut Day, today is a good day to celebrate this modern milestone as well by learning about Inuit traditions, supporting Indigenous businesses, and advocating for northern communities.
- In the Inuktitut language, the word Nunavut means "Our Land."
- Nunavut is the largest Indigenous land settlement in Canadian history. Carved out of the eastern portion of the Northwest Territories, it was created specifically to give the Inuit population self-governance and control over their traditional lands.
- To understand Nunavut’s history, it is important to know the background of the Northwest Territories. In 1870, Rupert’s Land and the Hudson’s Bay Company land were united with Canada and were known as the Northwest Territories. From 1876 till 1895, the Northwest Territories were divided into the provisional districts of Alberta, Keewatin, Athabasca, Franklin, Mackenzie, Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, Yukon, and Ungava.
- In 1880, the North American Arctic Islands claimed by Great Britain were added to the Territories. The Yukon District was separated into a territory in 1898, and the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta were created in 1905. The boundaries of Keewatin, Mackenzie, and Franklin were defined by an order effective from January 1, 1920.
- The territory of Nunavut was created under Bill C-132 of the Statutes of Canada, assented to on June 10, 1993, and the Act was made effective on April 1, 1999. The map of Canada was also redrawn, with the Northwest Territories partitioned into two territories. This is how Nunavut, the homeland of Canada’s Inuit people, came into being. Consisting of the central and eastern Arctic regions, Nunavut is almost one-fifth of Canada’s total landmass.
- The capital and only community large enough to be called a "city" is Iqaluit on Baffin Island, which has a population of about 8,000.
- Nunavut recognizes four official languages: Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun, English, and French.
- Approximately 85% of the territory's population is of Inuit descent.
- There are no highways or roads connecting Nunavut to the rest of North America. Travel between the 25 scattered communities is done entirely by airplane, or by snowmobile and dog sled over frozen sea ice in the winter.
- The rich land, vast sea, and sweeping sky are represented in the colors of the flag. The flag is divided by the traditional inukshuk and the blue star depicts the North Star. Nunavut residents take great pride in their territory’s accomplishments and celebrate their unique culture and the importance of preserving it on Nunavut Day.
- The primary employers are the territorial government, Inuit organizations, and the mining sector (which produces gold and iron ore).
- Nunavut Day is a federal holiday, so employees mostly have the day off from work. Celebrations are iconic with speeches by local leaders, communal meals, traditional dances, barbecues, games, history presentations and the future of the province, and more.
- Ten young aspirants are awarded Nunavut Day Cultural and Academic grants, with the winners selected on the basis of their promotion and preservation of the Inuit culture. The grants are also awarded to students who wish to pursue post-secondary academic programs.
Nunavut Day By The Numbers
- 38,780 – the population of Nunavut in 2019.
- 16,400 – the number of the labor force of Nunavut.
- 808,185 square miles – the total area of Nunavut as Canada’s largest territory.
- 75% – the percentage of the world’s narwhal population that migrates to Nunavut island estuaries and shallow bays.
- $7 – the flat fare of taxis in Nunavut for getting anywhere.
- 8,582 ft – the highest point in Nunavut of Barbeau Peak on Ellesmere Island.
- 5 – the number of national parks in Nunavut.
- 10 – the number of territorial parks in Nunavut.
- 20 miles – the distance of paved roads in the entire territory.
- 1:40 P.M. – the time of Nunavut’s earliest sunset on December 17.
How to Observe Nunavut Day
Plan a trip to Nunavut - Nunavut is a great place to visit for adventure seekers and lovers of cold climates. Plus, there's a good chance none of your family and friends have gone, so you'll probably score some bragging rights. Getting to Nunavut can be a little tricky, so make sure to thoroughly research all of your options before making any travel reservations.
Eat traditional Inuit food - For the most part, Inuits have primarily feasted upon meat they have been able to score while hunting. This means a traditional food which is widely eaten throughout Nunavut on July 9 is muskox burgers. If you can't find any muskox meat where you live, feel free to improvise!
Learn about arctic survival skills - Even if you're not planning to travel to the arctic anytime soon, it's still not a bad idea to brush up on some basic survival skills. There are some fun books and videos to watch which will help you learn what to do if you ever find yourself in a less than desirable, freezing, location. After learning these skills, you'll know exactly what to do if a polar bear should ever cross your path.
I wish I had not missed this special day, but Nunavut is an amazing place and well worth celebrating every day!
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