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Preface
The Tungavik Federation of Nunavut (TFN),
the Inuit organization that negotiated the Nunavut Agreement with
the Federal Government, is pleased to announce the publication of
the Nunavut Atlas. This Atlas will be an invaluable resource for
those interested in the Arctic — in particular for those who wish to
have a better understanding of the age-old relationship between
Inuit and the natural environment.
The Nunavut Atlas was compiled and edited by Dr. Rick Riewe of the
Canadian Circumpolar Institute. Much of the information included in
the Atlas was gathered for TFN’s Nunavut Land Use Research Project,
which was coordinated by Dr. Riewe. The maps included here assisted
the Inuit in preparing for land ownership negotiations with the
Federal Government. These negotiations, conducted in 1990 and 1991,
were part of the broader process that led to the Nunavut Agreement,
concluded in December 1991. As such, the Nunavut Atlas is somewhat a
companion volume to the Nunavut Agreement.
The maps in the Nunavut Atlas are based upon research conducted in
every community in Nunavut. Dr. Riewe and Inuit field workers used a
community-based research methodology, involving hunters and elders
across Nunavut. Community-based research is often difficult, and is
always time consuming and expensive. However, the maps included in
this Atlas, and the land to be owned by the Inuit upon ratification
of the Nunavut Agreement, show that this effort was worthwhile.
James Eetoolook
Acting President, TFN
The Nunavut Atlas (pdf) |
