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The Basics of Nunavut
One-fifth of Canada's land mass, Nunavut, which means "our land" in the Inuit language, is Canada's largest territory. Nunavut was a part of the Northwest Territories until 1999. With 30,000 residents, the territory is made up of many islands in the Arctic Ocean as well as a mainland. The Inuit represent about 85 percent of the population, and form the foundation of the Territory's native culture.Located well into the Arctic, temperatures average from 15°C in the summer to -30°C in the winter. The capital Iqaluit experiences 24 hours of daylight per day in June, and six hours per day in December.
Economy and Employment
Nunavut's economy focuses on the area's natural resources. Many of the Inuit majority base their livelihoods on traditional harvesting methods. Mineral exploration has increased and the first diamond mine is expected to begin production in 2006. Nunavut's oil and gas reserves will also be exploited in the near future. Fishing and tourism are also important contributors to the economy.Standard of Living
The challenges of distance, a small population, high cost of materials and labour, and the extreme climate, Canada's high standards of living make are difficult to maintain in Nunavut. The cost of living is significantly higher than many other areas in Canada. The federal government has undertaken initiatives to compensate for the high cost of goods and services.Education
In Canada, all citizens and permanent residents under the age of 20 are entitled to a free education provided in the public education system through to the end of secondary school. Nunavut's department of education provides a comprehensive educational program that runs from early childhood education through Grade 12. Schooling is available in English, French and Inuktitut, the Inuit language. Nunavut's only post secondary institution, Nunavut Arctic College, has several campuses across the territory.Healthcare
Under Canadian Law, all provinces and territories must provide universal, publicly funded health care to all citizens and legal residents of Canada. In other words, most basic health services in Canada are offered at no direct cost to the patient. Nunavut has a fully comprehensive healthcare system, tailored to meet the unique challenges of low population density and difficult climate.History
The area which is now known as Nunavut has been home to Inuit peoples for over 4,000 years. Despite contact with Europeans as early as the 1500's and becoming part of Canada's Northwest Territories in 1867, the people of Nunavut maintained their traditional lifestyles.Nunavut became a territory of Canada in 1999, before which it was part of Canada's Northwest Territories. As early as 1976, land claims by the Inuit people led to discussions with the federal government on the division of Northwest Territories.
Culture
Nunavut culture is strongly tied to the indigenous Inuit population. There are several Inuit languages, the most common of which is Inuktituk. The traditional the Inuit way of life involves hunting and fishing, and confronting the challenges of survival in the Northern climate. The Inuit people take great effort to keep their culture alive. The Inuit culture is gaining increasing global attention because of its attitudes towards preserving nature and because their lifestyle is threatened by global warming.Modern Nunavut is a mixture between the Inuit culture and modern Canadian culture.