Adopt the Nunavut Land Use Plan
Tackle this emergency situation, otherwise the land-use planning process is dead
Representatives for the Nunavut Planning Commission as well as hunters and trappers associations surround Government of Nunavut members in 2022 as they present at the final hearings of the Nunavut Land Use Plan. (File photo by Emma Tranter)
Tagak Curley
Qajaaq Ellsworth
It all seems kind of basic, kind of complicated. It is and it isn’t.
When it comes to our land, there’s so much at stake.
Inuit have experienced sudden and sustained activity in and around our ancestral hunting grounds. There was growing concern that exploration and development may put Inuit, our land and our way of life at risk. So many decisions being made without us!
We needed an Inuit movement. So, we talked, we organized, we shared our perspectives. We asked questions and fought for what we believe in. It took lots of effort and time. Eventually, an agreement was signed and Nunavut became a reality.
Despite creating a new territory and administering a robust co-management regime, Nunavut continues to conduct business without the principled guidance of a comprehensive land-use plan reflecting Inuit values and priorities.
Nobody wants to trade access to the land, the ocean, the lakes and rivers; access to nattiq, tuktu, iqaluk, qilalugaq — our sustenance — for part-time labour, hunting restrictions and grocery store vouchers.
While we value, protect and practice our traditions, Inuit are capable of thriving in the modern world with access to nuna and participation in a healthy economy.
Certainty and clarity of rights to ownership and use of lands and resources; to encourage self-reliance and the cultural and social well-being of Inuit. This is why Inuit negotiated for the Nunavut Land Use Plan.
The Nunavut Planning Commission spent two decades consulting with Inuit. Critical migration, wildlife birthing and other special interest areas were identified.
The planning commission submitted the recommended Nunavut Land Use Plan to stakeholders and governments in 2023.
Many of us thought: Finally, protection for critical areas and certainty for responsible development.
This has not yet been achieved. The key stakeholders have not endorsed the plan — it’s still a draft.
We already see accelerated mineral claims in areas we’re seeking protection for. We’re in a predicament. Kaaqattaliqtugut — we are starting to experience hunger. Already, the tuktu are affected. We are affected.
Despite all of this, we remain committed to our original vision. Even though it’s basic, it’s not simple. Even though it’s complicated, it’s not impossible.
We already have a very powerful agreement for us to use. We all need to tackle this emergency situation. Otherwise, the land-use planning process is dead.
We must have no fear and work together to pursue our original vision.
Adopt the Nunavut Land Use Plan.
Tagak Curley is an Inuk leader who has served and contributed in many roles. Curley was instrumental in negotiations which led to the creation of Nunavut and the settlement of the Nunavut Agreement. He continues to educate youth and community members and speak about Inuit rights.
Qajaaq Ellsworth is an Inuk cinematographer based in Iqaluit. He operates an outfitting company and enjoys spending time on the land.
We Inuit are our own boss that’s why we left NWT, Canadians need to stop trying to control us in Nunavut, leave us alone we wanted to work with China too for better infrastructure but the government won’t leave us alone 😒 tabarnak
This is all rich coming from Tagak. Let’s stop pretending the hold-up on the Nunavut Land Use Plan is all Ottawa’s fault. Tagak, as VP of KIA, was one of the main reasons this plan still isn’t adopted. He’s blocked and stalled at every turn, putting industry interests over Inuit land, wildlife, and communities. Twenty years of work has been wasted because of political games.
The divide and conquer method has worked well in Nunavut, Nunavik and all IInuit nunangat.
Here in Nunavut we have our government (GN) NTI, RIAs, DIOs, everyone fighting with each other and not working together.
Our GN tends to want to control everything, NTI sues to government, RIAs fight with each other, regions point fingers and fight with other regions.
This divide and conquer has been used for centuries and it’s nothing new, the federal government with their negotiating uses this method very well.
For Nunavut we need to look at this deeper and see why we are using this system and how it’s not working for Inuit in our own home land. How can we move past this?
We need to have a better system that unites us and we work together for our common goals not against each other which has become the new normal.
NPC submitted a poor plan in 2023.
You make it seem like it is Inuit vs government. But Inuit orgs are part of providing input, reviewing and approving the plan too.
Yes, the signatories are NTI, Gov of Nunavut, and Gov of Canada.
I took the time to watch some of the hearings online and the draft plan reflects the Inuit voices in the communities, so it should be adopted for their sake.
A single individual from a community paid honoraria to be at those hearings doesn’t mean they speak for every single person from their community.
The latest offering of the NPC is a 900 page long bureaucrat make work project that will take years more hearings, millions spent on consultants and lawyers, and heaps more virtue signaling to be endured in order to make sense of.
The objective of this plan is not to protect Nunavut lands, water or wildlife. It is to ensure there be no clarity on what can happen where in this territory. Except of course without the blessing of non-elected and non-accountable Commissioners, and the appropriate reading of the tea leaves by highly priced NPC staff instead of more appropriately, GN Ministers and Departments as well as RIA Presidents and Boards.
Since 1999, 5 National Parks, 3 National Wildlife Areas, 2 Marine Protected Areas, 1 Heritage River (nominated), and a host of territorial parks have been established or reserved in Nunavut. More protected areas are in the pipeline, including at least 4 more Marine Protected Areas. Nunavut now has more protected areas than most other provinces and territories. It is quite obvious that Nunavut lands and waters can and are being protected without the NPC.
There is no emergency. There is no ignorance or neglect of Inuit values and perspectives. Only retired politicians or cinematographers that have made careers and good money out of portraying Inuit as downtrodden victims that may instead see Inuit progress and advance with the rest of the developed world.
Really? Part time labor and food vouchers is all you think that our future generations are capable of in a more developed territory? Who exactly is selling Inuit short here?
You’re bang on. NPC designed the draft plan this way to continue funding for massive (and duplicative) consultations to keep flowing their way. This has nothing to do with protecting Inuit values and culture, wildlife, and land. If it was, there would have been a land use plan years ago.
Respect to the generation. We don’t think the same. Wish them well. Hope it ends soon.