My Little Corner of Canada, March 20

During the 1960s and early 1970s, resource exploration and development in the Arctic was pretty much uncontrolled.

The resource companies did whatever they wanted to do, with the blessing of the Government of Canada. There was little concern for the environment or wildlife. The Inuit and their concerns were ignored. There were little or no benefits for the communities.

During the late 1970s and 1980s, resource exploration and development came to a standstill while Inuit and governments were busy negotiating land claims settlements.

Now that all Inuit regions in Canada have signed and are now implementing their land claims agreements, resource exploration and development activities are once again picking up.

In Nunavut, the institutions of self-government are now in place. The Nunavut Water Board, the Nunavut Planning Commission, the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, and the Nunavut Impact Review Board are functioning. Inuit organizations are now able to negotiate impact and benefit agreements with resource companies.

In the Qikiqtani region, which has the most diverse environment in Nunavut, the Qikiqtani Inuit Association has been busy negotiating the creation of national parks and wildlife conservation areas throughout a vast region stretching from southern Hudson Bay to Ellesmere Island near the North Pole.

The Inuit are now in a much better position to have more control over and benefit from resource development.

We can insist on better protection for the environment and wildlife. We now have Inuit business entities and entrepreneurs who can take advantages of business opportunities. The vision of Inuit leaders in the 1970s are now beginning to take shape.

We have a young and growing population. They need jobs. We need to develop an economy and a tax base in Nunavut. It is a reality we must face.

Now, we need to take the next step. We need a good devolution agreement with Ottawa to open the way to the future.

An obstacle stands in the way. This obstacle is called colonialism and it resides in the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.

This Corner Quotes

“We need resource development.”

— Peter Tapatai, an entrepreneur in Baker Lake.

An Observation

The Montreal Canadiens could win the Stanley Cup this year. If the (Carey) Price Is Right.