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The Nunavut Proposal — realized

Broadcast Date: Feb. 11, 1999

In 1976, a group of Northwest Territories Inuit approached the federal government proposing a land claim settlement and the creation of a new territory with its own government. Government bureaucrats "snickered."

In 1999, the proposal becomes a reality as voters go to the polls to elect members of Nunavut's consensus government. The territory decided upon a public government modelled on the one in the Northwest Territories.

John Amagoalik was there for the 1976 proposal. In this CBC Radio clip, he says the new government isn't expected to solve all the region's problems overnight "but at least we won't have anybody else to blame."

The Nunavut Proposal — realized

• In 1875, Ottawa passed the Northwest Territories Act and began administering the region that was previously owned by the Hudson's Bay Company. In 1967, the Northwest Territories' administration slowly started to transfer from Ottawa to Yellowknife.
• Before the 1960s, Nunavut's Inuit lived traditional nomadic lifestyles with little government interference. In the 1960s, federal policy encouraged the Inuit to move to westernized settlement areas.

• In a consensus government there are no political parties and accord must be reached between members on governmental decisions.
• MLAs aren't required to vote by "party line."
• With consensus government there is usually less political wrangling and cabinet can't force a bill through the legislature, as is the case with a majority government.

• A 1999 article in Canadian Parliamentary Review said Nunavut's consensus government "reflects the values, beliefs and traditions of the Inuit."
• However, an article by Northwest Territories journalist Marina Devine identified "the myths" of consensus government. The article in the fall 1992 edition of Arctic Circle was about Northwest Territories' consensus system.

• Devine said that although it seems to be a wise form of government, consensus government tends to be more of a minority rule because there's no accountability to its constituents.
• Devine explained that a real aboriginal consensus government wouldn't have a cabinet with extra powers, and members of the community would be able to vote for their premier and cabinet members. The opposite was true in both cases when Nunavut became a territory in 1999.

• The Nunavut government's official symbol is a polar bear looking at the North Star while travelling in the opposite direction. It's meant to reflect the new territory moving toward a prosperous future while always remembering traditional Inuit values.
• Nunavut's federal member of Parliament is Nancy Karetak-Lindell. She is a Liberal, first elected in 1997.

The Nunavut Proposal — realized

Medium: Radio

Program: Canada at Five

Broadcast Date: Feb. 11, 1999

Guest(s): John Amagoalik

Host: Bernie McNamee
Reporter: Curt Petrovich

Duration: 2:08

Photo: Nunavut's legislative building.

Last updated:
March 5, 2008