Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated

Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated
Name	Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated
Founded	1993
Location	Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada
Key people	Aluki Kotierk (President)
Focus	Implementation of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement

Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated. It is the legal representative of the Inuit of Nunavut for the implementation of the historic Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. Established in 1993, it works to ensure the federal and territorial governments fulfill their obligations under the treaty. The organization plays a central role in safeguarding Inuit rights, promoting economic development, and protecting the cultural and environmental integrity of the Nunavut Settlement Area.

History and establishment

The creation of this organization was a direct result of the landmark Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, which was signed in 1993 between the Tunngavik Federation of Nunavut, the Government of Canada, and the Government of the Northwest Territories. This agreement, the largest Indigenous land claim settlement in Canadian history, led to the establishment of the new territory of Nunavut in 1999. Following the signing, the Tunngavik Federation of Nunavut was dissolved and re-incorporated under new legislation to become the primary implementation body. Key figures in its early development included negotiators like John Amagoalik and Paul Quassa, who were instrumental in the broader Nunavut land claim process.

Mandate and legal framework

Its core mandate is rooted in the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, a constitutionally protected treaty under Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. This legal framework obligates the organization to monitor and enforce the agreement's provisions, which cover a wide range of Inuit rights. These include rights related to wildlife harvesting, ownership of Inuit Owned Lands, and participation in decision-making through institutions like the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and the Nunavut Impact Review Board. The organization operates under its own federal legislation, the *Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated Act*, and works closely with regional Inuit associations such as the Qikiqtani Inuit Association.

Organizational structure and operations

The organization is governed by a Board of Directors composed of the Presidents of the three Regional Inuit Associations: the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, the Kivalliq Inuit Association, and the Kitikmeot Inuit Association. Day-to-day operations are managed by a President, currently Aluki Kotierk, and a senior executive team based in the head office in Iqaluit. Its operations are divided into several departments focusing on areas like lands and resources, legal services, and finance. It also maintains a critical role in appointing Inuit representatives to various co-management boards established under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.

Role in land claims implementation

A primary function is to ensure the promises of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement are realized. This involves active monitoring of government compliance, negotiating implementation contracts, and, when necessary, initiating litigation to uphold Inuit rights. Significant legal actions have been taken against the Government of Canada for failures to implement the agreement fully, with cases often heard in the Nunavut Court of Justice. The organization also manages the selection and administration of Inuit Owned Lands, which comprise over 350,000 square kilometers of surface and subsurface title in the Nunavut Settlement Area.

Economic and social initiatives

Beyond treaty implementation, it drives initiatives to improve the well-being of Nunavut Inuit. This includes administering financial compensation funds from the land claim and investing in community development projects. It has established subsidiary corporations like the Nunavut Trust, which manages the settlement's capital transfer, and Makigiaqta Inuit Training Corporation, focused on workforce development. The organization also advocates for policies that support Inuktitut language revitalization, Inuit education, and housing solutions in communities across the territory, from Cambridge Bay to Pangnirtung.

Governance and leadership

Leadership is provided by an elected President and the Board of Directors from the regional associations. Past presidents have included prominent figures like James Eetoolook and Cathy Towtongie. The organization is accountable to the Inuit of Nunavut through annual general meetings held in rotating communities. Its governance model is designed to reflect Inuit societal values and ensure direct input from the beneficiaries of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. It maintains formal relationships with the Government of Nunavut and federal departments like Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada to advance its mandate.

Category:Organizations based in Nunavut Category:Inuit organizations in Canada Category:Land claims in Canada