Currently, the territory has the strongest population growth in the country, reporting a Most of this population increase is the result of Nunavut possessing the highest fertility rate in Canada — an average of 2. This rapid growth has earned Nunavut another important distinction: it has the youngest population in Canada, with about 30 per cent of Nunavummiut being under the age of 14 in There are four official languages spoken in Nunavut — Inuktitut , Inuinnaqtun a dialect of Inuktitut spoken in Kitikmeot , English and French.

Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun is the mother tongue of While English is spoken throughout the territory, Iqaluit is also home to a large francophone community. According to the census, nearly 84 per cent of Nunavut residents are Inuit. Following Inuit, the two most commonly cited ethnicities were Scottish and Irish, accounting for 9. In , the last year statistics are available, over 93 per cent of Nunavummiut identified as Christian. Most of these communities are geographically isolated and accessible only by air and sea.

These communities are split into three administrative regions: Qikiqtaaluk, Kivalliq and Kitikmeot. Qikiqtaaluk is the most populated and spans the northernmost, easternmost and southernmost areas of Nunavut. The Kivalliq region consists of all the territory on the mainland west of Hudson Bay , along with Southampton and Coats Islands.

The Kitikmeot region consists of the southern and eastern parts of Victoria Island , King William Island and the southern part of Prince of Wales Island , and the adjacent part of the mainland as far as the Boothia Peninsula. Although many of these communities have experienced gains in health, education and employment, their residents continue to experience challenges that severely reduce their standard of living. These challenges include the high price of food and other commodities, overcrowded housing and housing shortages, high construction costs, problems delivering essential services, a shortage of health-care providers in the smaller communities, inadequate Internet access and slow economic growth.

After the decline of the whaling industry at the end of the 19th century and the end of the fur trade in the s, little economic development occurred in Nunavut. In the decades that followed the Second World War , however, Nunavut experienced a wave of mineral and oil exploration. The Canadian government and private companies explored the natural resources of the region with little consultation with the Inuit who lived on the land. As communities expanded in the s, the Canadian government assisted with the development of cooperative businesses an example is the cooperative fishery established in Cambridge Bay to help provide employment opportunities to Inuit.

In general, Inuit welcome development, so long as it respects the land and provides Nunavummiut with economic opportunities. Nunavut is serviced by several developmental agencies that pursue economic opportunities on behalf of Nunavummiut.

Infrastructure Canada projects since 2002 - Nunavut

At the territorial level, the Nunavut Development Corporation is a public agency with the mandate of creating employment opportunities and promoting economic diversity and stability for all Nunavummiut. Three regional development corporations, the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, the Sakku Investments Corporation and the Kitikmeot Corporation, also promote development in their respective regions. The postwar expansion of the global economy fuelled by an abundance of cheap oil had a dramatic impact on Nunavut.

Oil exploration began throughout parts of the Arctic Archipelago in the s and s, and test wells were drilled on several islands, including Cornwallis , Bathurst , King Christian and Melville Islands. Exploration increased with the oil crisis of the s. Cameron Island represents the only site that has been developed for commercial oil production in Nunavut. The field produced 2. Oil and gas exploration has continued in Nunavut. In December , the federal government issued a ban on all oil and gas drilling in Arctic waters, although this ban will be reviewed every five years.

Nunavut is the only province or territory in Canada that relies exclusively on imported fossil fuels for its energy needs. All electricity in Nunavut is supplied by Qulliq Energy Corporation QEC , a territorial corporation owned by the Government of Nunavut, through diesel combustion in 26 stand-alone diesel plants in 25 communities Iqaluit has two. Nunavut is completely dependent on millions of litres of imported petroleum products to support everyday living.

Mineral development in Nunavut has always proven difficult because of the extreme operating conditions and lack of infrastructure.

Iqaluit, Canada Weather History | Weather Underground

Still, several lucrative mines have been opened in the territory over the last few decades. There are currently three major mines in full operation in Nunavut. In addition, Mary River Iron Ore mine, operated by Baffinland Iron Mines, produces such high-quality ore that no processing is required before it is shipped to market. Mines often raise environmental concerns, such as loss of habitat for caribou and other animals. They also have the potential to provide hundreds of jobs to Inuit, as well as resource royalties to the territorial government.

Harvesting animals provides country food to supplement diets, but also fur, skin and bones for clothing, games and art. Nunavut has established commercial char, shrimp and turbot fisheries. In particular, the turbot fishery is a major employer in the Baffin region. As more studies are completed on its commercial fishing stock, Nunavut anticipates the fisheries sector to be an important area of growth in its economy.

Moreover, further diversification happens every year in the industry. For example, in Kugluktuk, residents produce high-end qiviut wool from the hides of muskox for export. In , the annual unemployment rate for Nunavut was The largest employer in the territory is the Government of Nunavut. As of , however, Inuit accounted for nearly 85 per cent of the population, but only 50 per cent of government workers. In addition to government employment, new jobs are emerging in construction, mining, mineral exploration, the fisheries sector and tourism.

There are no political parties at the territorial level, and candidates run as individuals. Paul Quassa held the office for less than a year from to 20 18 before losing a vote of non-confidence. He was replaced by Joe Savikataaq in June See also Table: Premiers of Nunavut. Nunavut has a consensus government system, which blends the principles of parliamentary democracy with Inuit values of cooperation, egalitarianism and communal decision-making — different from the system of party politics that exists everywhere else in Canada, with the exception of the Northwest Territories.

Within this system, however, unanimous agreement is not necessary for decisions to be made in the Assembly, although unanimity is often achieved. While ministers are expected to vote with Cabinet, regular MLAs may vote based on their individual opinions. Nunavut also has a commissioner, who is appointed by the Canadian government. The role is a symbolic one, much like that of a lieutenant governor in a province. The commissioner swears in members of the legislative assembly and executive council, opens sessions of the assembly, gives assent to bills and generally serves as a symbolic head of state for the territory.

Devolution will allow Nunavummiut a greater say in the issues that affect them and allow them to make decisions on how these lands and resources are used. Devolution is viewed by Nunavummiut as the key to unlocking economic self-sufficiency and maintaining Avatittinnik Kamatsiarniq, or environmental stewardship. See also Territorial Government in Canada.

While the Kitikmeot, Kivalliq and Qikiqtaaluk regions do not have autonomous governments, they do have Regional Inuit Associations, the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, Kivalliq Inuit Association and Kitikmeot Inuit Association that provide a basis for local administration. These associations manage Inuit-owned lands for the Inuit beneficiaries of the regions, work for the protection, administration and advancement of Inuit rights and benefits, and promote the economic, social, political and cultural well-being of their regions.

The court travels to the communities based on need, visiting some every six weeks and others less than once every two years.

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Members of the circuit court include a judge, clerk of the court, court reporter, prosecutor and at least one defence attorney. While on circuit, court is held in community halls, school gyms and other available space, and elders often sit with the judges in the courtroom. Currently, Nunavut has one hospital, the Qikiqtani General Hospital in Iqaluit, and two larger health centres in the regional centres of Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay , which are also staffed by physicians. Health services in the remaining communities are provided by community health nurses, while physicians visit them throughout the year.

These centres are administered by the Department of Health of the Government of Nunavut. To receive specialized or advanced care, Nunavummiut often must travel to tertiary care facilities in places like Yellowknife , Edmonton , Winnipeg or Ottawa. The Government of Nunavut also provides many public health services and health promotion initiatives, including maternal-child health supports, immunization clinics, chronic disease management, sexual health, anti-tobacco-use programs, oral health, nutrition and food security initiatives.

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Throughout Nunavut, traditional medicines and healing continue to play a vital role in the health of Nunavummiut. Nunavummiut face many health challenges, often caused by overcrowded, poorly ventilated homes and poor access to medical care. Over 60 per cent of Nunavummiut smoke, leading to high rates of lung cancer and respiratory diseases. Nunavut has high rates of diabetes, obesity, sexually transmitted infections, suicide, tuberculosis and the highest rate of infant mortality in the country. Starting in the s, Inuit have taken ever greater control of education in Nunavut.

In the s, the Eastern Arctic operated under the mandate of three Inuit school boards, responsible for staffing, policies and programs. In , Nunavut passed its own education act, which called for bilingual education for all students by an Inuit language and either English or French , incorporation of Inuit culture into all aspects of the education system including consultation with communities and elders and additional support for students to stay engaged in the educational process.

Progress toward the goals set in the Nunavut Education Act has been slow, and the Department of Education has been subject to a great deal of criticism over the effectiveness of the education system, leading to calls for greater Inuit influence, better accommodation of the special needs of students and more local control. In , Nunavut had the lowest percentage of high-school graduates within its working-age population in Canada, despite spending, proportionately, the most amount of money on education.

Building on the adult education initiatives started in many northern communities in the s and s, Arctic College was established in , with campuses in Fort Smith and Iqaluit. In , the Arctic Colleges Act gave the college the mandate to deliver adult and postsecondary education across the Northwest Territories.

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In , Nunavut Arctic College was created in anticipation of the division of the Northwest Territories. Today, it is the only postsecondary institution in the territory, with a range of degree, diploma and certificate programs in language and culture, business, fine arts, environmental technology, human services, apprenticeship trades and adult basic education programs. Community Learning Centres staffed by adult educators are located in all 25 communities.

Much of the transportation infrastructure in Nunavut was constructed in the s, although parts of the system were built in the s and s. Roads exist in and around communities, although these are not extensive. In Nunavut, the Community Transportation Initiatives Program is slowly expanding road access to important harvesting, recreational and cultural sites.

Many of the necessities of life in Nunavut arrive by air or ship. In Nunavut, the airport system is centred on regional hubs, Iqaluit , Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay , which can accommodate jet aircraft and provide access to other communities. Smaller aircraft then move people and goods, including mail, fresh food and other supplies, from the hubs to the other communities. In recent years, an increase in Arctic cruise ship tourism has led to heightened levels of maritime traffic.

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Although Inuit life changed significantly over the course of the 20th century, traditional values and cultural practices remain strong amongst Nunavummiut. Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, or traditional knowledge, which includes storytelling, mythology, music and dancing, remains an essential part of cultural life in Nunavut.

Inuit continue to embrace the land and sea as integral to their cultural identity and community health. As such, going out on the land, harvesting its resources and sharing this bounty with family and community also remain important elements of Nunavummiut cultural life.

Canada's Relationship with Inuit: A History of Policy and Program Development

Many communities also have museums or cultural displays that explain their histories and the culture of their people. Prominent graphic artists from Nunavut include Luke Anguhadluq , Jessie Oonark , Pudlo Pudlat , Andrew Qappik and Annie Pootoogook , while prominent printmakers include Pitseolak Ashoona , Kenojuak Ashevak and Kananginak Pootoogook Carvers Simeonie Amagoalik and Looty Pijamini are known for their sculptures commemorating Inuit who were forced to relocate to the High Arctic by the federal government.

The English and the Americans continued to expand their whaling operations westward, introducing more Inuit to commercial whaling and European goods. Many whaling ships wintered at Herschel Island, located off the north Yukon coast, creating employment opportunities on ships for Inuit families. The whaling industry peaked in the s and s. In subsequent seasons, crews supplemented their incomes with caribou, seal and walrus hunting, as well as fishing and fox trapping.

These activities over-exploited many traditional Inuit subsistence resources, severely depleting populations of bowhead whale, musk ox, and caribou.