And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: From: "KOLA International Campaign Office" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: NUNAVUT - The Issues Date: Sat, 06 Mar 99 21:10:58 PST Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"; X-MAPIextension=".TXT" >From CBC News Online http://newradio.cbc.ca/nunavut/issues.html NUNAVUT The Issues The Northwest Territories is regarded by some as the new kid on the constitutional block. But in fact, except for British Columbia, it's the oldest political jurisdiction in Western Canada. If its age isn't obvious, it may be because of the plastic surgery it's received over time as pieces of the original Northwest Territories were sliced off to become provinces and territories of their own. In the nineteenth century there was Manitoba, then Yukon. In 1905 Saskatchewan and Alberta were formed. Now, just as map makers were getting used to the size and shape of the Northwest Territories, the jurisdiction's boundaries are being altered again, giving rise to yet another member of the Canadian family of provinces and territories. This time it's Nunavut, the culmination of a 25-year effort by the territory's Inuit. The economic and geographic cohesiveness of what remains of the Northwest Territories after division ensures that this will likely be the last time the north's boundaries are disturbed. So after the christening of Nunavut on April 1st, 1999, the map of Canada should finally be complete. It's interesting to note that the first efforts to split the Northwest Territories along the treeline came from the non-aboriginal minority living in the territory's western half. They felt that the remote, inhospitable region traditionally occupied by the Inuit was holding back the political and economic development of the more accessible, resource-rich region centred along the Mackenzie River. That initiative made it as far as Parliament. It died on the order paper in the early 1960s. Fifteen years later, the initiative swung to the Inuit, with the emergence of an Inuit land claim and the rise of Inuit nationalism. The distance of much of their homeland from the territorial capital of Yellowknife also prompted the Inuit desire for greater autonomy. Iqaluit is as far removed from Yellowknife as Thunder Bay is from Vancouver. Inuit leaders initially considered negotiating a separate Inuit homeland as an aboriginal right under their land claim. The federal government, fearing the creation of a racially-based jurisdiction, refused. However, Ottawa appreciated the difficulty of democratically governing an area a third the size of the entire country from a single centre. After a number of regional government alternatives failed to work, the federal cabinet decided to give its blessing to division, provided territorial residents both north and south of the treeline, were in favor. In the intervening years, support south of the treeline had waned, but a solid "yes" vote by the Inuit carried the day in a 1982 plebiscite. That set in motion constitutional working groups in both prospective territories. In the western half of the territory, the more heterogeneous mix of non-aboriginal, Metis, Dene and Inuvialuit made consensus on their political future difficult to reach. But not so with the Inuit. United by a common land claim and common nationhood, a bi-lateral framework for talks with Ottawa was quickly agreed to. The mutual objective: a non-racial, public government to be negotiated separate from, yet parallel to the settlement of Inuit land claims. With land claims and political development almost in hand, the only remaining hurdle for the Inuit was negotiating a boundary with the Dene, Metis, non-aboriginals and Inuvialuit living in the rest of Northwest Territories. In principle the two territories were to be divided according to the traditional lands of the Dene and Inuvialuit on one side, and the Inuit on the other. But the wide transition zone on both sides of the treeline had historically been a region of shared use between both. Disagreements between Dene and Inuit arose - especially concerning the mineral-rich area around Contwoyto Lake in the middle of the Canadian barrenlands. The federal government successfully mediated that dispute, paving the way for a territory-wide vote to ratify the boundary line in 1992. A solid block of Inuit voters carried the day again. The boundaries agreed to gave Nunavut 2.1 million square kilometers. That's bigger than Quebec, Canada's largest province. A year later, in 1993, the Inuit land claim was settled. At the same time, Inuit leaders signed a political accord with Ottawa for the creation of Nunavut. In the Inuktitut language, Nunavut literally means "Our Land." The high Inuit birth rate -- almost twice the national average -- suggests it will remain "Our Land" forever. Following passage of the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut land claim, a feverish series of negotiations ensued between the territory-in-waiting and the existing Northwest Territories. They had to divide their common assets and liabilities. Disagreements have understandably arisen and the discussions will continue beyond the date of partition. But the process is proving remarkable for the spirit of conciliation and generosity that both sides have brought to the bargaining table. Years of working together in a consensus style, non-partisan system of government are paying off, as northerners assisted by the federal government, conclude one of the most amicable political break-ups in history. The 25,000 people of the new Nunavut territory have decided to duplicate the non-partisan, unitary, one-chamber system of government that has ruled in the Northwest Territories. But Nunavut is devolving government ministries out of the territorial capital of Iqaluit to a number of far-flung regional centres. The purpose is to spread around the government jobs in a region where government is almost the sole source of employment. In the remaining Northwest Territories there is no common vision among the numerous racial groups that remain. The mostly white non-aboriginal population has a small majority. However, the constitution is weighted on the side of the aboriginal groups whose right to self-government is enshrined in the nation's highest law. These groups are worried about being politically marginalized in their own homelands. Consequently, they've been seeking political concessions such as guaranteed representation and the institution of an aboriginal upper chamber. Such notions alienate a non-aboriginal majority schooled in the principle of individual rights and accustomed to the standard provincial model of government. So both new territories face profound challenges after April 1st, 1999. The remaining Northwest Territories is blessed by excellent transportation corridors, a high average level of education, mature government institutions and an extremely rich natural resource base. But it is handicapped by a lack of community and by internal divisions. Just the opposite exists in Nunavut. The people there are united and optimistic. But the rapid transition from nomadic life to a community-based wage economy, high unemployment, and a lack of opportunity has created terrible social problems and a very uncertain economic future. Imagination, innovation and hard work face both territories if they are to emerge as vibrant, healthy, and contributing members of the Canadian Confederation. ---end article--- <+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+> In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. <+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+> If ever you wish to be removed from this mailing list, just send a message to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> with *unsub* in the text or subject body. <+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+> http://users.skynet.be/kola/index.htm http://kola-hq.hypermart.net <+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+> "Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere" FREE LEONARD PELTIER!!! NO TELESCOPES ON MT. 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