On April 1, the map of Canada will change for the first time since Newfoundland joined Confederation in 1949. While Nunavut's official recognition packs historical significance,  the division of Canadian territory is not a new phenomenon. What is currently the Northwest Territories (NWT), for example, was once two regions called Rupert's Land and the North-Western Territory –  expansive areas of terrain incorporating the Yukon, Alberta, Saskatchewan, much of Manitoba, northern Ontario and northern Quebec. The two regions were joined in 1870, with the Arctic Islands added in 1880. The new geographical boundaries will see the eastern portion of the NWT renamed Nunavut. It will be a chunk of land five times the size of Alberta with a population of approximately 27,000 residents, 85 per cent of whom are Inuit.

Why Do the People Of Nunavut
Want Their Territory Officially Recognized?

Politicians and public officials have generally accepted the principle that aboriginals have the right to both self-government and self-determination. After all, they were here first and are subject to laws and regulations they had little or no say in developing or implementing. When Nunavut does become an official territory, it will be able to chart its own course, pursue its own objectives and control its own destiny.

During the early 1960s, the federal government seriously considered dividing the NWT. In 1963 legislation was introduced in the House of Commons to approve the partitioning of the NWT into east and west sections. The process was temporarily derailed when a federal election was called, killing the draft legislation. Though politicians had spearheaded the initiative, it was the residents of the western NWT who had applied enough pressure to get it on the political agenda. Among other things, the people believed that dividing the territory would encourage population growth in the Mackenzie Valley area.

Process: How Do You Create A New Territory?

In 1990, the federal government mandated John Parker, former commissioner of the NWT, to propose a border between the land claim areas of the Dene/Metis and the Inuit in the territory. His recommendation was presented to the voters of the NWT in a May 1992 plebiscite. Fifty-four per cent of those who voted endorsed the proposed boundary. Having achieved a consensus, though admittedly slim, the federal government, the Tunngavik Federation of Nunavut and the NWT government formally adopted the line of  division in the Nunavut Political Accord. It was made official on Oct. 30, 1992. Phase two was a November 1992 election in which the Inuit people voted on the proposal. Of the 69 per cent of eligible voters who participated, 85 per cent of them supported the agreement. It became official on May 25, 1993.

The Nunavut Land Claims Agreement: What it Means

The agreement was based on and reflects the collective goals of the Inuit people. It also explains the rights to ownership and use of the land and its plentiful resources – resources scattered over 350,000 square kilometres of Eastern arctic turf. Of fundamental importance, Inuit are guaranteed the right to participate in decisions over the use, administration and preservation of land, water and resources in Nunavut. Cognizant of the role hunting has played in aboriginal cultures, the federal government reaffirmed Inuit rights in relation to harvesting wildlife. The land claim agreement also represents an effort to foster a spirit of self-dependency and cultural integrity.

Some Key Sections of the Agreement:

A political accord that provides for the creation of the new Territory of Nunavut and through this a form of self-government

The right to harvest wildlife on land and water throughout Nunavut

Capital transfer payments from the federal government of $1.148 billion, payable to the Inuit over 14 years.

A $13 million training trust fund

A share of federal government royalties from oil, gas and mineral development on Crown lands.

Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated

The 1993 agreement was the largest aboriginal land claim settlement in Canada. To ensure a smooth transition toward territory status, the federal government mandated Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated to ensure that the terms of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement were fulfiled. Its 10-member board meets often to tackle issues relating to the execution of the agreement's terms. The organization's task is to promote Inuit culture and foster economic self-sufficienty.

Nunavut Government

The new government will have  powers similar to those of the existing territorial governments. It will have an elected assembly of 19 members, a cabinet and a judicial system. With a decentralized system of departments and agencies spread out among the different communities, programs and social services should be more readily available. Nunavut's 28 communities will be located in one of three regions: Qikiqtaaluk, Kivalliq and Kitikmeot.

Though the basic structure of the Nunavut government will be in place   April 1, the full operations will be phased in between now and 2009.

Jobs

The federal government has said the Nunavut government will require 600-650 full-time staff. Of these, 150 were recruited in 1998-1999.

The Office of the Interim Commissioner was set up to recruit and staff 150-250 government positions in time for April 1. It was also required to create systems and procedures for the government and to enter into intergovernmental agreements for programs, funding and the division of assets and liabilities .

How Much Does All This Cost

The federal government has forked over $150 million to cover the costs associated with the creation of the Territory of Nunavut.

Of this sum, $39.8-million has been reserved for the training of the people of Nunavut - the Nunavummiut - for government jobs. The goal is to have a governmental workforce representative of the cultual makeup of the territory.

Infrastructure   for the new government has cost the federal government approximately $173-million. Of this amount, $129-million has been designated for the construction of housing and office facilities.

How Will the NWT Government Adapt to the Change?

In a 1997 report, the NWT government said  the absence of a new constitution precluded creating a new government model before Nunavut breaks away on April 1. It has already been announced that the NWT will reduce its governmental workforce by about 289 positions when Nunavut breaks away. However, the new Nunavut premier has said existing regional and community organizations in the new territory, carved from the NWT, as well as staffing, will not suffer. The  estimated cost for staff retraining and related matters will cost between $10 and $14 million.

Difference Between Provinces and Territories