WELCOME TO NUNAVUT
Written by Wendy Williams (a.k.a. Mom)
Source: www.canadianencyclopedia.ca
Nunavut means our land in Inuktitut. It is the largest and most northern territory in Canada. The largest population of people live in the capital city, Iqaluit. The formation of Nunavut in 1999, allowed the indigenous people to have control over their land and resources. The climate consists of long cold winters and cool summers. The Arctic is subject to climate change bringing melting permafrost, reduced sea ice, retreating glaciers and diminished ice shelves.
Nunavut contains three physiographic regions: the Hudson Bay Lowlands, the Canadian Shield and the Arctic Lands. Hudson Bay Lowlands contain Southampton Island and Coates Island. The Canadian Shield is a bed of rock covered with a thin layer of soil and is dotted with thousands of lakes and rivers. The Arctic Lands extend north and contain the largest High Arctic land area in the world. The ice caps in the Arctic Lands form the largest glaciers in Canada.
Hydrocarbon and minerals are bountiful in Nunavut. The territory contains reserves of oil and gas, diamonds, tin, uranium, iron ore, lead, rock salt and gypsum. The Svedrup Basin alone could potentially yield much recoverable gas. Nunavut contains 21% of Canada’s fresh water which is covered in ice for most of the year. Nunavut’s economy, since the 1960’s, consists of inshore and offshore fisheries, renewable resource harvesting, arts and crafts, tourism and a service sector. Cameron Island is the only site producing commercial oil. Fishing of char, shrimp and turbot is located in Nunavut. The Inuit welcome development which respects the land and provides economic opportunities.
Nunavut is home to: polar bears, seals, walruses, peary caribou, barren-ground caribou, musk ox, arctic fox, arctic wolf, arctic hare, wolverine and lemming. Sea mammals are nar-whales, walruses and seals. Climate change is affecting the habitat of these mammals.
Many species of migratory birds include: auks, buntings, ducks, geese, cranes, loons and terns. Year-round birds are the raven, the showy owl and the ptarmigan.
Trees are absent but Nunavut vegetation includes dwarf shrubs, grasses and mosses, lichens and many species of flowering plants.
The Inuit people remember the Dorset as the first people. The Thule also lived in Nunavut. As the climate cooled, the settlements’ people became more migratory. They lived in iglu on sea ice in the winter hunting seals. In the summer, they returned to the land and hunted caribou and fished. Caribou skins were used to make clothes, containers, and tents. The Inuit developed knowledge systems for survival in their environment. Extensive trade networks allowed them to exchange skins, driftwood, soapstone, flint, copper clothing and tools.
The first explorers in Nunavut were the Norse. Later adventurers sought a north west passage to link the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Some of these expeditions were led by Martin Frobisher, John Davis, Robert Bylot, William Baffin and Henry Hudson. Many Arctic travellers owed their lives to Inuit who taught them how to travel, dress and live off the land.
The arrival of European fur traders, missionaries and whalers brought trade opportunities to the Inuit. Sadly. it depleted the animals. It also resulted in epidemic diseases such as measles, tuberculosis and influenza for the original inhabitants. The trading posts supplied the Inuit with new technology such as rifles, stoves and steel traps. This changed the way the people hunted and even their migratory patterns. Catholic and Protestant missionaries brought churches, provided health care and built mission schools.
After WW ll, the Cold War between the West and Russia promoted the American development of ambitious defense plans. Air bases and supporting facilities were built. A radar warning line called the Dew Line stretched across the north bringing ships, planes and workers. It changed forever the face of Nunavut and the lives of the Inuit.
Inuit culture is rich and vibrant. Inuit art is popular with carvings of stone, bone and ivory. Weavings, jewelry, metal works, large scale drawings and print-making are produced by the art sector. Traditional values and cultural practices are kept alive through storytelling, mythology, music and dance.
Some noted artists from Nunavut are: Luke Anguhadluq, Jessie Oonark, Pudio Pudliat, Andrew Qappik and Anne Pootookgook. Sculptors are: Carvers Simeonie Amagoalik and Looty Pijamini. Inuit throat singing and drumming entertain audiences. Susan Aglukark is a famous country and pop singer. Tanya Tagaq won the Polaris Music Prize for her album.
The Arctic Winter Games include traditional games of one and two foot-high kick, kneel jump and arm pull as well as other western styled games.
Visitors to Nunavut may enjoy the landscapes, the flora and fauna, the various animals and the many traditional arts and crafts. Unique musical events and sports entertainments are available. Many communities have museums and cultural displays. Discover Nunavut, Canada’s most northern territory.
Source: www.canadianencyclopedia.ca
Nunavut means our land in Inuktitut. It is the largest and most northern territory in Canada. The largest population of people live in the capital city, Iqaluit. The formation of Nunavut in 1999, allowed the indigenous people to have control over their land and resources. The climate consists of long cold winters and cool summers. The Arctic is subject to climate change bringing melting permafrost, reduced sea ice, retreating glaciers and diminished ice shelves.
Nunavut contains three physiographic regions: the Hudson Bay Lowlands, the Canadian Shield and the Arctic Lands. Hudson Bay Lowlands contain Southampton Island and Coates Island. The Canadian Shield is a bed of rock covered with a thin layer of soil and is dotted with thousands of lakes and rivers. The Arctic Lands extend north and contain the largest High Arctic land area in the world. The ice caps in the Arctic Lands form the largest glaciers in Canada.
Hydrocarbon and minerals are bountiful in Nunavut. The territory contains reserves of oil and gas, diamonds, tin, uranium, iron ore, lead, rock salt and gypsum. The Svedrup Basin alone could potentially yield much recoverable gas. Nunavut contains 21% of Canada’s fresh water which is covered in ice for most of the year. Nunavut’s economy, since the 1960’s, consists of inshore and offshore fisheries, renewable resource harvesting, arts and crafts, tourism and a service sector. Cameron Island is the only site producing commercial oil. Fishing of char, shrimp and turbot is located in Nunavut. The Inuit welcome development which respects the land and provides economic opportunities.
Nunavut is home to: polar bears, seals, walruses, peary caribou, barren-ground caribou, musk ox, arctic fox, arctic wolf, arctic hare, wolverine and lemming. Sea mammals are nar-whales, walruses and seals. Climate change is affecting the habitat of these mammals.
Many species of migratory birds include: auks, buntings, ducks, geese, cranes, loons and terns. Year-round birds are the raven, the showy owl and the ptarmigan.
Trees are absent but Nunavut vegetation includes dwarf shrubs, grasses and mosses, lichens and many species of flowering plants.
The Inuit people remember the Dorset as the first people. The Thule also lived in Nunavut. As the climate cooled, the settlements’ people became more migratory. They lived in iglu on sea ice in the winter hunting seals. In the summer, they returned to the land and hunted caribou and fished. Caribou skins were used to make clothes, containers, and tents. The Inuit developed knowledge systems for survival in their environment. Extensive trade networks allowed them to exchange skins, driftwood, soapstone, flint, copper clothing and tools.
The first explorers in Nunavut were the Norse. Later adventurers sought a north west passage to link the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Some of these expeditions were led by Martin Frobisher, John Davis, Robert Bylot, William Baffin and Henry Hudson. Many Arctic travellers owed their lives to Inuit who taught them how to travel, dress and live off the land.
The arrival of European fur traders, missionaries and whalers brought trade opportunities to the Inuit. Sadly. it depleted the animals. It also resulted in epidemic diseases such as measles, tuberculosis and influenza for the original inhabitants. The trading posts supplied the Inuit with new technology such as rifles, stoves and steel traps. This changed the way the people hunted and even their migratory patterns. Catholic and Protestant missionaries brought churches, provided health care and built mission schools.
After WW ll, the Cold War between the West and Russia promoted the American development of ambitious defense plans. Air bases and supporting facilities were built. A radar warning line called the Dew Line stretched across the north bringing ships, planes and workers. It changed forever the face of Nunavut and the lives of the Inuit.
Inuit culture is rich and vibrant. Inuit art is popular with carvings of stone, bone and ivory. Weavings, jewelry, metal works, large scale drawings and print-making are produced by the art sector. Traditional values and cultural practices are kept alive through storytelling, mythology, music and dance.
Some noted artists from Nunavut are: Luke Anguhadluq, Jessie Oonark, Pudio Pudliat, Andrew Qappik and Anne Pootookgook. Sculptors are: Carvers Simeonie Amagoalik and Looty Pijamini. Inuit throat singing and drumming entertain audiences. Susan Aglukark is a famous country and pop singer. Tanya Tagaq won the Polaris Music Prize for her album.
The Arctic Winter Games include traditional games of one and two foot-high kick, kneel jump and arm pull as well as other western styled games.
Visitors to Nunavut may enjoy the landscapes, the flora and fauna, the various animals and the many traditional arts and crafts. Unique musical events and sports entertainments are available. Many communities have museums and cultural displays. Discover Nunavut, Canada’s most northern territory.
