Today’s students will inherit a ‘vibrant and self-sufficient’ Nunavut
Nunavut’s Next 25: Readers reflect on what’s in store for territory’s next 25 years
The devolution agreement between Nunavut and the federal government could pave the way for self-governance and economic development in Nunavut. Seen here at the signing agreement in Iqaluit in January are federal Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Premier P.J. Akeeagok and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. president Aluki Kotierk. (File photo by Jeff Pelletier)
To mark the 25th anniversary of the creation of Nunavut, Nunatsiaq News asked readers to describe what’s in store for the next 25 years.
Envisioning Nunavut in the next 25 years.
By 2049, Nunavut thrives, empowered by self-governance. The devolution agreement marks a new era of autonomy and opportunity, despite challenges ahead.
The recent devolution agreement with the Canadian government transferred the land and resources control to Nunavut. It could be a territory that has significantly advanced in self-governance and economic development.
Education and health care will see changes, with local institutions emerging as leaders in providing services tailored to the unique needs of Nunavummiut.
Educated youth will no longer have to travel down south, as opportunities for professional growth and entrepreneurship flourish in their homeland.
Elders will find comfort and care within their communities, surrounded by the language and traditions that define them.
Housing will have kept pace. Overcrowding will be a relic of the past, as multi-generational homes become a choice rather than a necessity.
The Government of Nunavut will evolve into an employer of choice, attracting and retaining a skilled workforce dedicated to the territory’s prosperity.
As today’s students become tomorrow’s leaders, they will inherit a Nunavut that is vibrant and self-sufficient.
Nunavut will faces challenges but overall, Nunavut will be shaped by its people.
Moses Okatsiak lives in Arviat.
This is a very positive vision by Moses Okatsiak and a pleasure to read.
Positive is nice, but when it wanders into fantasy we must careful.
nice pie in the sky. but a little short on reality.
Since 1999 nearly 15,000 twenty-year-olds have existed among Nunavimmiut. The oldest are 45 years old
Among that cohort of 15,000 there are virtually no doctors, nurses, psychologists, lab technicians, professional accountants or engineers, biologists, teachers, geologists, entrepreneurs, IT specialists, Phds, mathematicians, MBAs, or Red Seal tradespeople. From whence these leaders?
NWT and Yukon can give you a few decades between them. Nothing changes. Nunavut will still be 99.9% funded by Ottawa.
Just another “Banana republic” welfare society.
It’s our birthday. We are imperfect but we have accomplished sooo much.
The dragging down of the naysayers, the outraged and the negative-know-it-alls is appalling. Soothsayer, art Thompson, S and précédent should all be embarrassed (and they are when they hid behind a pseudonym!). Give it a break guys!
I enjoyed the vision expressed in the article and the reminder of all the hopes and potential that we celebrated 25 years ago. Thank you Moses for writing it and thanks to Nunatsiaq for publishing it.
Today I encourage everyone to drown out the negatories. Write, under your own name of the joy and hope for the future. Tomorrow we can return to the work to make that happen.
HBD Nunavut. Amazing accomplishment. Beautiful land. Inspiring people.
I’m good with observations made anonymously, as long as they are thoughtful. I’m amused by the self righteousness of people like you and Paul who thinking dunking on anonymity is a worthwhile critique.
The commentary is nice. It’s positive, and you can appreciate it on that level. It’s also fair, though, to caution that it is fantasy, with very little contact with reality.
Thank you for your commentary, Anne. It is appreciated. Notwithstanding, you have been in Nunavut long enough to have a more integral perspective.
Sadly, Nunavut, as an institution, is a failed one. It is on a path, and has been so since inception, of blame and complacency, while wallowing in a spirit of entitlement and lack of conscientious effort.
Witness the lack of entrepreneurship and dearth of advocacy for that.
Witness the lack of excellence in advanced learning and the dearth of support for that.
Witness the lack of conscientiousness and the abundance of blame and entitlement.
This state is neither superficial nor incidental, Anne. It is embedded in culture and nurtured by people, current and past, who are in postion to promote and develop a different path.
Nunavut requires a transformation. This is 2024, not 1924. Blame should be placed on the current and recent members of Nunavuts group of influencers.
Nepotism, wastage, entitlement, complacency, and blame are the tenets of Nunavimmiut culture. The state is based on top-to-bottom welfare and corruption. It reflects failed socialism at its worse. A complete paradigm shift accompanied by a thorough house cleaning is long overdue. When that happens, Nunavut and its people will begin to advance