The top 10 stories of 2005

* Climate change shines spotlight on Arctic: When people around the world heard about the Arctic in 2005, it was almost always in connection with global warming, through international stories such as the Arctic Wisdom event in Iqaluit, the UN climate change conference in Montreal, and the ICC human rights petition.
* Nunavut’s first diamond mine nears completion: After getting their long-awaited permits and licences, the Tahera Diamond Corp. was well ahead of schedule in the construction of the Jericho Mine near Contwoyto Lake, the first of at least four new Nunavut mines expected in the near future.
* Fire guts St. Jude’s Cathedral: The people of Iqaluit and Nunavut lost a priceless landmark and a sacred place of worship when an arsonist set fire to St. Jude’s Cathedral late last year.
* Inuit demand compensation for dog slaughter: Led by the Makivik Corp.’s showing of Echo of the Last Howl, Nunavik and Baffin Inuit attracted national attention to the dog-slaughter compensation issue.
* A plague on both your houses: Thomas Berger, the conciliator brought in to help resolve the four-year-old implementation contract dispute for the Nunavut land claims agreement, issued a preliminary report urging that all sides consider a major attitude adjustment.
* Nunavummiut get serious about electricity: The Qulliq Energy Corp.’s badly-needed rate increases kicked in on April 1, 2005, followed by a small fuel surcharge in the fall. At the same time, consultants began studying the idea of a hydro-electric plant near Iqaluit.
* GN reforms staff housing rents: The GN gets mixed reviews for its new market-based staff housing rent system.
* Iqaluit port dream gains backers: The City of Iqaluit accelerated its lobby work on getting a deep-sea port for the community, while Conservative leader Stephen Harper promised to build one if his party forms the next government after the Jan. 23 election.
* Child protection scandal rocks Nunavik: Northern Quebec’s child protection system is “not currently functional” says a leaked report done by the Quebec human rights commission that Nunavik officials have yet to make public.
* The Inuit of Labrador join the club: Members of the Labrador Inuit Association held a series of celebrations and signing ceremonies to mark the settlement of their land claim. They’ll get $140 million, and a new Inuit government for their region, which they’re calling “Nunatsiavut.”