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NunavutNunavut

This rock statue is called an This rock statue is called an inuksukinuksuk..

These statues are used by the Inuit as These statues are used by the Inuit as directional markers and landmarks. directional markers and landmarks.

Inuksuk comes from the Inuit words “inuk” Inuksuk comes from the Inuit words “inuk” meaning person and “suk” meaning substitute.meaning person and “suk” meaning substitute.

The inuksuk is meant to The inuksuk is meant to symbolize a person symbolize a person pointing travelers in the right directionpointing travelers in the right direction. .

A Brief History of NunavutA Brief History of Nunavut Scientists believe that the first people in Scientists believe that the first people in

North America were the North America were the Old World Old World huntershunters, who came in search of food , who came in search of food 30 30 000-25 000 BC000-25 000 BC..

These hunters hunted mammoths and These hunters hunted mammoths and mastodons.mastodons.

Between Between 30 000 and 12 000 BCE30 000 and 12 000 BCE most most of Canada was buried under a thick of Canada was buried under a thick ice ice sheetsheet..

By By 9000 BC9000 BC the ice sheet was the ice sheet was almost almost completely meltedcompletely melted..

Around the year 1000 the Around the year 1000 the ThuleThule culture culture starts to appear. The Thule are the starts to appear. The Thule are the ancestors of the Inuit.ancestors of the Inuit.

Between the 1570-1820 there were Between the 1570-1820 there were numerous expeditions by British numerous expeditions by British explorers.explorers.

The British set up many settlements The British set up many settlements which primarily served as whaling which primarily served as whaling stations.stations.

In In 1999 1999 Nunavut becomes Canada’s Nunavut becomes Canada’s official official 33rdrd territory territory. .

The VikingsThe Vikings Erik the RedErik the Red

established settlements established settlements in Greenland and in Greenland and explored the Canadian explored the Canadian North from North from 986-1020986-1020. .

Erik’s son Erik’s son Leif EriksonLeif Erikson created a settlement created a settlement called called MarklandMarkland..

Markland is modern day Markland is modern day Baffin islandBaffin island..

Some historians also believe that Leif Some historians also believe that Leif created settlement in created settlement in NewfoundlandNewfoundland..

L’Anse aux MeadowsL’Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland in Newfoundland is believed to be one of Lief’s settlements is believed to be one of Lief’s settlements (1000 AD).(1000 AD).

Despite proof like L’Anse aux Meadows Despite proof like L’Anse aux Meadows many historians don’t believe that the many historians don’t believe that the Vikings explored Northern Canada. Vikings explored Northern Canada.

Nunavut: LandNunavut: Land The word Nunavut means The word Nunavut means “our land”“our land” in Inuktitut. in Inuktitut. It makes up It makes up 21.3%21.3% of Canada’s total area, of Canada’s total area,

making it the making it the largest part of Canadalargest part of Canada. Quebec is . Quebec is second (15%).second (15%).

Most of Nunavut’s size come from the Most of Nunavut’s size come from the Arctic Arctic ArchipelagoArchipelago (cluster of islands). (cluster of islands).

It has a very It has a very mountainous and rockymountainous and rocky terrain. terrain. Some areas are still covered by Some areas are still covered by ice sheetsice sheets 2 km 2 km thick.thick.

It has many It has many valleys, frozen lakes, and costal valleys, frozen lakes, and costal fjordsfjords, caused by past movements of , caused by past movements of glaciersglaciers. .

The Canadian Archipelago

(Arctic Archipelago) is the largest in the world. It accounts for

most of Nunavut’s size

The Regions of NunavutThe Regions of Nunavut Nunavut has three major regions:Nunavut has three major regions:

1.Baffin Region1.Baffin Region

Cities and towns include:Cities and towns include:

a) Iqaluita) Iqaluit

b) Pond Inletb) Pond Inlet

c) Clyde Riverc) Clyde River

d) Eurekad) Eureka

e) Alerte) Alert

Fjord: A narrow inlet of the sea between Fjord: A narrow inlet of the sea between cliffs or steep slopes.cliffs or steep slopes.

Eureka

Alert

Note: Eureka is located on Ellesmere Island and is primarily used as a military base and satellite/ radio monitoring

Note: Alert is the most northern settlement in the world. It has only 5 permanent residents. Alert is also used for military and research.

2. Keewatin 2. Keewatin Region:Region:

Cities and Towns Cities and Towns Include:Include:

a)a)Chesterfield InletChesterfield Inlet

b)b)Repulse BayRepulse Bay

c)c)Rankin InletRankin Inlet

3. Kitikmeot Region:3. Kitikmeot Region:

Cities and Towns Cities and Towns Include:Include:

a) Cambridge Baya) Cambridge Bay

b) Bathurst Inletb) Bathurst Inlet

The image above is the purple saxifrage.The image above is the purple saxifrage.

The The Purple SaxifragePurple Saxifrage is the is the official official flowerflower of Nunavut. of Nunavut.

This flower is This flower is one of the few plants that will one of the few plants that will grow in the Canadian northgrow in the Canadian north..

The Purple Saxifrage The Purple Saxifrage is a source of food for is a source of food for the Inuit.the Inuit.

This is a This is a sweet tasting flower sweet tasting flower and could be and could be eaten raw or boiled in water eaten raw or boiled in water which creates which creates a sweet liquid. a sweet liquid.

Nunavut: ClimateNunavut: Climate Nunavut has a Nunavut has a very harsh climatevery harsh climate making making

most of Nunavut most of Nunavut inhospitable (not liveable).inhospitable (not liveable). WintersWinters are are long and coldlong and cold frequently frequently

reaching -40°C. There are reaching -40°C. There are very strong windsvery strong winds.. SummersSummers are are short and coolshort and cool. The . The

Temperature usually stays around 10°C. Frost Temperature usually stays around 10°C. Frost in the summer is not uncommon.in the summer is not uncommon.

The precipitation ranges from 300mm in the The precipitation ranges from 300mm in the south to less then 100mm in the far north. This south to less then 100mm in the far north. This lack of precipitation lead many to call the North lack of precipitation lead many to call the North a a Polar desertPolar desert..

Nunavut: VegetationNunavut: Vegetation

Very few plants are able to surviveVery few plants are able to survive in in Nunavut’s harsh climate.Nunavut’s harsh climate.

Nunavut has Nunavut has small bushes, patches of small bushes, patches of grass, mosses, lichens and some flowersgrass, mosses, lichens and some flowers. . This type of This type of vegetation is called vegetation is called TundraTundra..

There are There are NO treesNO trees in Nunavut. in Nunavut.

Nunavut: PopulationNunavut: Population Nunavut has a Nunavut has a total area total area ofof 1.9 million 1.9 million

kmkm22..

Despite its huge size Nunavut only has a Despite its huge size Nunavut only has a populationpopulation of around of around 30 000 people30 000 people..

Nunavut’s Nunavut’s largest city is its capital, largest city is its capital, IqaluitIqaluit, it has a little over , it has a little over 6200 people6200 people. .

Quebec has an area of 1.3 million kmQuebec has an area of 1.3 million km22 and and has almost 8 million people.has almost 8 million people.

Over Over 85%85% of Nunavut’s population is of Nunavut’s population is InuitInuit..

Nunavut: GovernmentNunavut: Government Nunavut became Nunavut became

Canada’s 3Canada’s 3rdrd territory on territory on April 1April 1stst 1999 1999..

Their premier is EVA Their premier is EVA AARIAKAARIAK, who has been , who has been serving since 2012.serving since 2012.

Nunavut also has 1 seat Nunavut also has 1 seat in the House of Commons in the House of Commons and 1 seat in the senate.and 1 seat in the senate.

The animal in the image above is a The animal in the image above is a Narwhal.Narwhal.

The The narwhal narwhal is a very is a very distinct sea distinct sea animal animal because of the because of the long tusk on it’s long tusk on it’s face.face.

Narwhals can be Narwhals can be 4-6 meters in length 4-6 meters in length and can and can weigh up to 1.6 tonsweigh up to 1.6 tons. They live . They live about 50 years.about 50 years.

The narwhal is a source of food for the The narwhal is a source of food for the InuitInuit. They also use the . They also use the tusk to make tusk to make different tools and weaponsdifferent tools and weapons. .

Language and EducationLanguage and Education Inuit children go to school in their own Inuit children go to school in their own

communities. communities. They learn their native They learn their native language as English or Frenchlanguage as English or French..

Inuit education is very similar to ours in Inuit education is very similar to ours in Quebec. In both areas a cultural group is Quebec. In both areas a cultural group is trying to protect its culturetrying to protect its culture..

The Inuit language is called The Inuit language is called InuktitutInuktitut..

Inuktitut has only 15 consonants and 3 Inuktitut has only 15 consonants and 3 vowels.vowels.

This is a very difficult language to learn. This is a very difficult language to learn.

Inuit ClothingInuit Clothing Traditional Inuit clothing Traditional Inuit clothing comes from comes from

animal skins, intestines or fursanimal skins, intestines or furs..

The Inuit used these parts because they The Inuit used these parts because they retained heat and were waterproof.retained heat and were waterproof.

Getting wet in the arctic is very Getting wet in the arctic is very dangerousdangerous, because you will begin to , because you will begin to freeze. freeze.

Many Many people die every yearpeople die every year in the arctic in the arctic by not wearing the proper clothingby not wearing the proper clothing..

Shelter and TransportationShelter and Transportation

Traditionally the Inuit Traditionally the Inuit lived in an lived in an animal animal skin tent or sodskin tent or sod (mud/dirt) (mud/dirt) house house in the in the summersummer and an and an igloo igloo in the in the winterwinter..

TodayToday many Inuit many Inuit live in wooden live in wooden houseshouses. However, some still lead . However, some still lead the traditional lifestyle.the traditional lifestyle.

The Inuit have many The Inuit have many different different modes of transportationmodes of transportation, some , some are traditional and others are not.are traditional and others are not.

Non traditional Non traditional modes are modes are snowmobiles, ATV’s snowmobiles, ATV’s (all terrain (all terrain vehicle)vehicle) and trucks and trucks..

Traditional methods Traditional methods include; include; dog-dog-sled, kayaksled, kayak (one person boat), and (one person boat), and umiaqumiaq (row boat) (row boat)

Sources of FoodSources of Food Most of the Most of the Inuit diet is made up of meat Inuit diet is made up of meat

and fishand fish. There are . There are very few edible plantsvery few edible plants in in Nunavut. Nunavut.

Most Most InuitInuit willwill hunt or fish hunt or fish for their food.for their food.

Food sources Food sources includeinclude: : narwhal, polar bear, narwhal, polar bear, seal, caribou, musk ox, and whaleseal, caribou, musk ox, and whale. .

This diet This diet gives the Inuit a lasting amount of gives the Inuit a lasting amount of energyenergy which is very important in the North. which is very important in the North.

The image above shows Inuit harpoon The image above shows Inuit harpoon heads.heads.

The The harpoonharpoon was the was the traditional weapontraditional weapon of choice for the Inuit when of choice for the Inuit when hunting large hunting large animalsanimals..

The harpoon has three main parts. The The harpoon has three main parts. The shaft, head, and rope.shaft, head, and rope.

Once the head of the harpoon(s) Once the head of the harpoon(s) stabbed the animal, the rope would be stabbed the animal, the rope would be used to retrieve the body.used to retrieve the body.

Inuit DietInuit Diet The The Inuit diet consists Inuit diet consists mostly of meatmostly of meat. .

This This providesprovides the Inuit with the the Inuit with the energyenergy they need they need to survive in the Arcticto survive in the Arctic. .

There are There are some edible plantssome edible plants in Nunavut in Nunavut ((purple saxifragepurple saxifrage). However many Inuit ). However many Inuit prefer eating meat.prefer eating meat.

The The traditional method traditional method of of obtaining obtaining meat meat is by is by huntinghunting..

Hunting in NunavutHunting in Nunavut Hunting Hunting is the is the main source main source of acquiring of acquiring food food in in

NunavutNunavut..

Today the Inuit Today the Inuit can buy foodcan buy food in general in general stores, but most still hunt.stores, but most still hunt.

Traditionally the Traditionally the main hunting ground main hunting ground for the for the Inuit were the Inuit were the pack ice and ice floespack ice and ice floes..

On the On the sea icesea ice is where the Inuit is where the Inuit would hunt would hunt larger animals, such as larger animals, such as whales and seawhales and seals. ls.

The The InuitInuit used a variety of used a variety of hunting hunting weapons.weapons.

The The harpoon and spearharpoon and spear were used for were used for larger animals.larger animals.

Bow and arrows, clubs, and knivesBow and arrows, clubs, and knives were used for smaller animals.were used for smaller animals.

BolasBolas were were used to hunt birdsused to hunt birds. A Bola is . A Bola is a small net with bone beads attached to it.a small net with bone beads attached to it.

Polar bearPolar bear is a is a traditional food sourcetraditional food source for the Inuit.for the Inuit.

Along with meat the Inuit will use Polar Along with meat the Inuit will use Polar bear bear skins to make clothingskins to make clothing..

The The claws and bones are used to claws and bones are used to make tools and weaponsmake tools and weapons..

Traditionally, Traditionally, thethe Inuit Inuit would would useuse a a harpoons, bows and arrows to kill harpoons, bows and arrows to kill polar bears.polar bears.

TodayToday the Inuit the Inuit use high powered use high powered riflesrifles..

Polar Bear hunting in Polar Bear hunting in NunavutNunavut

Today many people, other than the Inuit hunt Today many people, other than the Inuit hunt polar bear.polar bear.

Many Many adventure travelersadventure travelers, especially from the , especially from the USA, USA, will pay between between 25,000 -30,000$ for 25,000 -30,000$ for the chance to kill a polar bearthe chance to kill a polar bear..

Many hunters will Many hunters will keep the skin or headkeep the skin or head as a as a trophy, and trophy, and sell or discard the restsell or discard the rest of the of the body.body.

The The Canadian government has set limitsCanadian government has set limits on on hunting polar bear, but there are hunting polar bear, but there are many illegal many illegal hunt that take place every yearhunt that take place every year. .

Controversy: Polar Bear Controversy: Polar Bear HuntingHunting Almost Almost 80%80% of all of all Polar Bears killed are Polar Bears killed are

in Nunavutin Nunavut.. In In 2005,2005, the government of Nunavut the government of Nunavut

raised the quota of polar bears allowed to raised the quota of polar bears allowed to be killed from be killed from 400 to 518400 to 518..

Many scientists believe that a high Many scientists believe that a high hunting quota along with the bears hunting quota along with the bears that are dying from a lack of food due that are dying from a lack of food due to global warming, will put the Polar to global warming, will put the Polar Bear on the endangered species listBear on the endangered species list..

Seal hunting in NunavutSeal hunting in Nunavut Seal areSeal are primarily primarily killed for killed for their their skin, skin,

blubber, and meatblubber, and meat..

The The Inuit use seals forInuit use seals for food food and and useuse their their skin skin and bones to make and bones to make clothing and toolsclothing and tools..

The Inuit traditionally The Inuit traditionally usedused clubs, harpoons, clubs, harpoons, and hakapiks to kill sealsand hakapiks to kill seals..

These weapons are still used today. These weapons are still used today.

Seals are Seals are hunted for hunted for personal (food), personal (food), environmental, and commercialenvironmental, and commercial purposespurposes..

Large clothing companiesLarge clothing companies like Versace, like Versace, Gucci, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, and Gucci, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, and Ralph Lauren Ralph Lauren all have seal skin productsall have seal skin products..

Controversy: Seal HuntingControversy: Seal Hunting Most of the Most of the world’s seal hunting is world’s seal hunting is

done in the Canadian northdone in the Canadian north.. Harp sealHarp seal is the is the type of seal that is type of seal that is

usually usually huntedhunted.. Canada is Canada is highly criticizedhighly criticized for for

allowing seal hunts to continue.allowing seal hunts to continue. This year the government established a This year the government established a

+/- 275 000+/- 275 000 seal quota seal quota. .

CanadaCanada is also is also criticizedcriticized by animal rights by animal rights groups for the groups for the brutal methodbrutal method they allow they allow sealers to use: sealers to use: beating to death with a club beating to death with a club or hakapikor hakapik..

Government experts argueGovernment experts argue that the that the beating is painlessbeating is painless..

The The government argues if there was no government argues if there was no seal hunt, the seal hunt, the seal population would seal population would overrun other northern animalsoverrun other northern animals..

Sealing Sealing is an is an industry industry that that makesmakes nearly nearly $$25 000 000 every year25 000 000 every year..

GreenlandGreenland

81%81% of of Greenland’sGreenland’s surface is covered by surface is covered by an an ice sheetice sheet..

The ice sheet is so heavy that it has pushed the The ice sheet is so heavy that it has pushed the actual surface 300 meters below sea level.actual surface 300 meters below sea level.

Greenland Greenland is the world’s largest island is the world’s largest island and and has a has a population of about 60 000 people. population of about 60 000 people.

What does Greenland and What does Greenland and Nunavut have in common?Nunavut have in common?

1.1. Large native population (Kalaallisut)Large native population (Kalaallisut)

2.2. Native live similar lifestyle to the InuitNative live similar lifestyle to the Inuit

3.3. Many natives rely on hunting or fishing Many natives rely on hunting or fishing

4.4. Both have the same climate and Both have the same climate and vegetationvegetation

5.5. Use sea ice and land glaciers to hunt.Use sea ice and land glaciers to hunt.

6.6. Ice melt due to GLOBAL WARMING.Ice melt due to GLOBAL WARMING.

Global Warming: The BasicsGlobal Warming: The Basics Global warming refers to a period when Global warming refers to a period when average average

temperatures all over the Earth increasetemperatures all over the Earth increase..

Global warming Global warming occurs naturallyoccurs naturally.. Using Using large amounts of energylarge amounts of energy and the and the

burning of fossil fuels creates greenhouse burning of fossil fuels creates greenhouse gases.gases.

Greenhouse gases speed up the process of Greenhouse gases speed up the process of global warming.global warming.

Pollution and deforestationPollution and deforestation also also increase the increase the rate of global warmingrate of global warming..

Effects of Global Warming Effects of Global Warming on Nunavuton Nunavut

1.1. Inuit will not be able to use the sea ice Inuit will not be able to use the sea ice for hunting.for hunting.

2.2. Marine mammals and animals that use Marine mammals and animals that use the ice will disappear. the ice will disappear.

3.3. Inuit will loose valuable food sources.Inuit will loose valuable food sources.

4.4. Inuit communities will disappear.Inuit communities will disappear.

What are some potential effects of What are some potential effects of global warming on Nunavut?global warming on Nunavut?

Early estimates for the Early estimates for the meltdown of the ice capmeltdown of the ice cap

Some General effects of Global Some General effects of Global WarmingWarming

1.1. Extreme Weather (Hurricane Sandy)Extreme Weather (Hurricane Sandy)2.2. Sea level riseSea level rise3.3. Flooding or DroughtFlooding or Drought4.4. Loss of drinkable waterLoss of drinkable water5.5. Decreased food suppliesDecreased food supplies6.6. Loss of many animal speciesLoss of many animal species7.7. Cost for many products (food, Cost for many products (food,

electricity, etc.) will increase.electricity, etc.) will increase.

What can you do to help?What can you do to help?

Use less electricity (fewer lights, etc.)Use less electricity (fewer lights, etc.) Waste less waterWaste less water Reduce, reuse, recycleReduce, reuse, recycle Take public transportation, car pool, Take public transportation, car pool,

walk/bikewalk/bike Buy energy efficient productsBuy energy efficient products Change your light bulbsChange your light bulbs Any others you can think of…Any others you can think of…