What does the current model of Indigenous “self-government” in Canada offer to First Nations? Using an example (such as Nunavut), examine the pros and cons of this model and how this does/does not provide an opportunity for First Nations to become healthy, sustainable, and self-sufficient. Self-government is the cornerstone of the Inuit policy goals in the Nunavut region. While self-government is an important goal, the idea is intricately linked to other goals such as land claims settlements, cultural preservation, and economic development; goals which the people of Nunavut are finding very hard to meet (Nowland-Card, 41). Indigenous people were self-governed long before Europeans arrived in Canada, but in 1876, the Indian Act came into
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In 1978, the Canadian Government began to look to the North for economic expansion as a result of the vast resources of the North (Sinclair). The area is rich in gold and oil and the rest of the world also saw the economic potential in the North (Sinclair). In 1985, the United States of America began traveling through the Northwest Passage without the permission from Canada, lobbying the Northern waters to become international (Dickason and Newbigging 277). Canada saw the United States as a threat and acted swiftly to grant the Northerners their request for self-government. A political accord was signed by both parties in 1992 (Belanger, 222). In 1993, representatives of the Canadian government, Northwest Territories and Nunavut Tunngavik signed a land claim agreement that created Nunavut - the third Canadian territory (Belanger, 222). The creation of the territory of Nunavut out of the Northwest Territories on 1 April 1999 was a dramatic moment for the country (Dickason and Newbigging 275). Nunavut is now the largest land claim settlement in the history of Canada (Hyde). It is the product of twenty years of negotiations between Inuit and government officials (Lenzerini, 298). The Nunavut Land Claims Agreement recognized Inuit title to land in the eastern Arctic, and established co-management boards so that the Inuit had a say in the development of their lands (Lenzerini,
In 1978, the Canadian Government began to look to the North for economic expansion as a result of the vast resources of the North (Sinclair). The area is rich in gold and oil and the rest of the world also saw the economic potential in the North (Sinclair). In 1985, the United States of America began traveling through the Northwest Passage without the permission from Canada, lobbying the Northern waters to become international (Dickason and Newbigging 277). Canada saw the United States as a threat and acted swiftly to grant the Northerners their request for self-government. A political accord was signed by both parties in 1992 (Belanger, 222). In 1993, representatives of the Canadian government, Northwest Territories and Nunavut Tunngavik signed a land claim agreement that created Nunavut - the third Canadian territory (Belanger, 222). The creation of the territory of Nunavut out of the Northwest Territories on 1 April 1999 was a dramatic moment for the country (Dickason and Newbigging 275). Nunavut is now the largest land claim settlement in the history of Canada (Hyde). It is the product of twenty years of negotiations between Inuit and government officials (Lenzerini, 298). The Nunavut Land Claims Agreement recognized Inuit title to land in the eastern Arctic, and established co-management boards so that the Inuit had a say in the development of their lands (Lenzerini,