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Topic spans: 1997 - 2008
Creation of Nunavut
On April 1, 1999, the new territory of Nunavut was born, finally making the controversial dream of the Northwest Territories' Inuit a reality. It meant the Inuit gained self-rule and control over their own institutions. This was the result of years of lobbying Ottawa and numerous plebiscites overwhelmingly in favour of self-determination. But along with the territory come the challenges: combating suicide, reversing assimilation and regaining a sense of identity.
Topic image with inukshuk courtesy of the Government of Nunavut.
14 television clips
6 radio clips
Voters choose N.W.T. split
Broadcast Date: April 15, 1982
In 1982, the majority of voters in a plebiscite choose to split the Northwest Territories in two, creating a mainly Inuit eastern territory. The federal government is not bound by the plebiscite, but its results convey a strong message of Inuit commitment to self-determination. More than 80 per cent of the region's Inuit participate and more than 80 per cent say "Yes" to the creation of Nunavut, which means "our land" in Inuktitut.The Dene people in the western part of the territory also vote in favour. However, Yellowknife — a mainly non-native community — votes against the new territory.
Voters choose N.W.T. split
• On Nov. 26, 1982, the federal government conditionally consented to the creation of Nunavut.• In 1963, earlier legislation to divide the Northwest Territories never made it through Parliament.
• The Inuit Tapirisat of Canada (ITC), a political group of young Inuit, lobbied the government to speed up the creation of the new territory.
• In 1979, the federal government created a riding in the Northwest Territories called Nunatsiaq, which represented what is today's Nunavut. That year, member of Parliament Peter Ittinuar spoke the first Inuktitut words in Parliament.
Voters choose N.W.T. split
Medium: Television
Program: The National
Broadcast Date: April 15, 1982
Guest(s): John Munro, Herbie Norwegian, Kane Tologanak
Host: Knowlton Nash
Reporter: Whit Fraser
Duration: 2:00
Last updated:
June 14, 2002
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20 clips in this topic . page
Radio
4:57
Jan. 18, 1967
Ottawa hands over more power to the territory, but retains control of its natural resources.
Television
2:13
Aug. 18, 1979
The highway that John Diefenbaker championed two decades earlier is completed two days after his death.
Voters choose N.W.T. split.
The CBC Digital Archives Website.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Last updated: June 14, 2002.
[Page consulted on Nov. 22, 2009.]