Nunavut

Semi-autonomous Inuit homeland, established as a territory of Canada on 1 April 1999. It consists of former parts of the Northwest Territories, Canada, including Keewatin and Kitikmeot, the Arctic Islands of Baffin, Ellesmere, Devon, Prince of Wales and Banks, and the eastern areas of Victoria and Melville Islands, as well as Southampton and smaller islands in Hudson Bay. Nunavut extends to 1,994,000 sq km/769,846 sq mi, one-fifth of the total land area of Canada. Its creation was approved by a narrow majority in a regional plebiscite in 1992, though the measure was opposed by representatives of the Dene people from the western Arctic, where 74% voted against (the Dene claimed that the homeland cut across their traditional hunting grounds). In the eastern Arctic where most Inuit live, 84% voted in favour. Representatives of the Inuit had earlier negotiated hunting and fishing rights in the area, and a final land claims agreement, signed in 1993 on Baffin Island (where Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut is located), gave the Inuit outright ownership of 353,610 sq km/136,493 sq mi of the land, and mineral rights to 36,257 sq km/13,995 sq mi. The remainder is Crown Land over which the Inuit have joint control with the Federal Government.

In spite of its vast size, Nunavut has only around 26,700 inhabitants (2001 est), over 80% of whom are Inuit, many of whom are young – 37% of Nunavut's population is under 14, compared to a Canadian average of 18.5%.

The government structure for Nunavut is being established in phases to 2009. Iqaluit became the home of the legislative assembly of 19 members in 1999 and transfer of administration for culture, public housing, and health is planned to be completed by 2009. In order to spread decision-making and economic benefits, government will be decentralized in the three regions of Qikiqtaaluk, Kivalliq, and Kitikmeot, and 28 communities. Government activity is expected to continue as a major economic sector in Nunavut, as in the Northwest Territories.