Congratulations pour in for Nunavut’s historic day

The ink was barely dry at Thursday’s devolution agreement signing ceremony before Nunavummiut as well as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau himself were dancing in celebration.

In addition to Trudeau, Premier P.J. Akeeagok and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. president Aluki Kotierk also signed the deal that was preceded by speeches and traditional dancing and singing.

Congratulations to the three signatories — Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., the Government of Nunavut and the federal government — came from numerous sources after the deal was completed.

Qikiqtani Inuit Association president Olayuk Akesuk, who attended the ceremony at Iqaluit’s Aqsarniit hotel, later told Nunatsiaq News in an email that he applauded the Inuit negotiators and called it an honour to witness such an important part of history.

“I look forward to the implementation of this agreement so that we may continue our work of bringing a bright future to the younger generation of Qikiqtani Inuit across our great region,” Akesuk said.

After the ceremony, Nunavut NDP MP Lori Idlout told Nunatsiaq News “I’m just as excited as everyone else to see devolution finally happen.”

In a news release later, Idlout called on all parties to support her private member’s bill, C-326, which she said is based on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, to ensure Indigenous Peoples’ rights are heard when mining projects are being planned in the North.

“Inuit rights must be protected, as they know the lands, waters and animals,” Idlout said in the statement.

Baffinland Iron Mines Corp. spokesperson Peter Akman said in an email that the company “would like to congratulate all Nunavummiut on this historic day.”

Baffinland is Nunavut’s largest private-sector employer and the largest contributor to its economy.

The devolution agreement will see Nunavut assume responsibilities previously held by the federal government, including becoming the decision-making authority for economic development activity such as mining.

Akman noted that Baffinland vice-president of community and strategic development, Udlu Hanson, was part of devolution negotiations for nine years when she was NTI’s chief negotiator and that she attended Thursday’s signing event.

In an email, Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. spokesperson Natalie Frackleton also congratulated the governments of Canada and Nunavut, as well as NTI, on reaching the long-awaited milestone.

Also in a congratulatory news release, Northwest Territories and Nunavut Chamber of Mines president Kenny Ruptash said a strong minerals sector will be important for Nunavut’s self-reliance.

The devolution agreement allow Nunavut to assume control over most of the Crown lands in the territory, with the final transfer date being April 1, 2027.

The agreement is historic in size also, covering around 20 per cent of Canada’s land mass.

Trudeau noted that fact in a remark to the crowd huddled at the ceremony. As paper after paper needed to be signed, Trudeau joked that transferring such a large amount of land requires a lot of paper.

Before the ceremony, performances included drum dancing, throat singing and even some acrobatics.

The ceremony was livestreamed, and people from across the territory identified the community they were from and posted words supporting the signing.

One such post came from a class at Inuksuit School in Qikiqtarjuaq who were tuning in to the historic agreement.

Once the papers were signed, more musicians came to perform songs in Inuktitut.

Initially, one person went to the middle and started dancing, then another and another. Soon, Akeeagok was dancing too, as were GN cabinet ministers and Trudeau was as well.