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Nunatsiavut
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| Capital | Hopedale (legislative) Nain (administrative) | ||
| Area Total Recognized | 142,450 km² 72,520 km² | ||
Nunatsiavut is an area claimed by the Inuit in Canada - not to be confused with the territory Nunavut. The claim extends from Labrador in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador to Quebec. In the year 2002, the Labrador Inuit Association submitted a proposal for limited autonomy to the government of Newfoundland and Labrador. In Inuktitut, Nunatsiavut means "Our Beautiful Land." This name was ratified by the Labrador Inuit Constitution, passed by the Labrador Inuit Association in 2002. One of the main objectives of autonomy is for the preservation of the Inuit culture and language, as well as the environment through environmental stewardship.
2005 self-government package
On January 22, 2005, the Inuit of Nunatsiavut signed an agreement with the federal and provincial government covers 72,520 square kilometres of land, including the entire northern salient of Labrador north of Nain as well as a portion of the Atlantic coast south of there. The agreement also includes 44,030 square kilometres of sea rights. Although the Inuit will not own the whole area, they will enjoy special rights related to traditional land use, and they will own 15,800 square kilometres designated Labrador Inuit Lands. The agreement also establishes the Torngat Mountains National Park Reserve in the northern area of the land claim.
The package also includes $130 million in compensation for the forced relocation of the Inuit in the 1950s; provincial royalties for resources; land, mineral, and marine rights; and $120 million to establish self-government.
The agreement has been ratified by the Labrador Inuit and by the legislative assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador. After being signed, the agreement still needs to be ratified by Parliament.
Form of self-government
The land claims agreement provides for the establishment of a Nunatsiavut Government to represent not only the residents (Inuit and non-Inuit) of the land claims area, but also Labrador Inuit living throughout Canada. Although Nunatsiavut will remain part of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Nunatsiavut government will have authority over health, education, and justice in the land claim area.
According to the agreement, the government of Nunatsiavut will be based in Hopedale and Nain. It will consist of a President elected by the people of Nunatsiavut for one four year term, and an Executive Council, and an Assembly.
The Nunatsiavut Assembly, acting as the area's parliament, will consist of no fewer than 16 members representing seven constituencies: the land claims areas of Nain, Hopedale, Makkovik, Rigolet, and Postville, plus the Inuit of the Upper Lake Melville area and in the rest of Canada.
From the Assembly, a member will be elected to act as First Minister. The Assembly would act as a forum for discussion of laws, and it will oversee the Executive Council.
The Nunatsiavut Executive Council will be appointed by the First Minister. It will implement laws, develop and implement policy, initiate and prepare legislation, oversee the administration of the government, and be accountable to the Assembly.
Inuit Community Governments will be established in Nain, Hopedale, Makkovik, Postville and Rigolet. Each will consist of a municipal council, elected from and by both Inuit and non-Inuit residents, and will be lead by a AngajukKâk, a chief executive officer and mayor, who must be Inuk.
Large settlements of Labrador Inuit outside the settlement area will be represented by Inuit Community Corporations.
The AngajukKâk of each Inuit Community Government and the chairperson of each Inuit Community Corporation will represent his or her community in the Nunatsiavut Assembly.
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