NUNAVUT Information Page Project by Rishi Arya and Robert Mckay Presented to Mr. Khoury-Geography-Riverdale High School
   
General infomation on Nunavut and Land forms
 
Nunavut comprises 1.9 million square kilometres of land and water, spanning three time zones across Canada's central and eastern arctic regions. The word "Nunavut" means "our land" in Inuktitut -- the language of Inuit, the indigenous people who make up 85% of Nunavut's population.Nunavut is also the culmination of two decades of hard work and negotiations that, in the end, gave birth to the most comprehensive land settlement ever reached between a state and an aborginal group anywhere in the world.Steps that led to territorial status:�1960s � Intense oil and gas exploration in Canada's arctic make Inuit realize how little control they have over their traditional lands. �1971 � Founding of Inuit Tapirisat of Canada (ITC) organization to represent the interests of Inuit at the national level. �1973 � In response to the James Bay hydroelectric project, the first modern day land treaty in Canada is signed by the province of Quebec, the federal government, the James Bay Cree and the Inuit of Nunavik (northern Quebec). �1982 � Tungavik Federation of Nunavut (TFN) is incorporated to pursue land claims negotiations on behalf of the Inuit of Nunavut. �1984 � under pressure from oil exploration in the Beaufort Sea and an expected oil pipline down the Mackenzie Valley, Inuvialuit (Inuit) of the western Arctic break away from Nunavut negotiations to sign the Inuvialuit Land Claim Agreement. �1990 � after years of intense and detailed negotiations, an agreement-in-principle is reached. �1992 � final agreement signed, ratified in a plebiscite by 84.7 per cent of Inuit beneficiaries �1993 � $1.1 billion Nunavut Land Claims Settlement proclaimed at a special ceremony in Kugluktuk on July 9


GEOLOGIE and LAND FORMS


The southern part of the territory - the mainland and Baffin Island - is part of the Canadian Shield, consisting of rocks typically more than a billion years old. This rock formation extends to parts of Ellesmere Island. Younger, sedimentary rocks in largely horizontal layers cover the northern part of the Shield on Nunavut's western islands and along the Parry Channel, as well as smaller isolated areas further south, such as the islands in Foxe Basin and parts of Southampton Island. Except for their southern and eastern parts, the Queen Elizabeth Islands consist of still younger, and in part heavily folded, formations.The highest mountains in Nunavut are found along the eastern part of the territory, where the land has risen in relatively recent geological time. A highland with many peaks reaching 1,500 metres to 2,000 metres above sea level extends from south of Cape Dyer on Baffin Island to Ellesmere Island. Northern Ellesmere is even higher and contains Nunavut's highest mountain: Mount Barbeau (2,616 metres). The mountains on Axel Heiberg Island reach about 2,200 metres above sea level. From the eastern Baffin highland, the Shield slopes gradually southwestwards to Foxe Basin and re-emerges on the west side of Hudson Bay, rising towards the west. The Boothia Peninsula, at the northern extreme of the mainland, reaches altitudes of about 600 metres and this higher ground extends southward, although most of the mainland is less than 300 metres above sea level. Farther north, along Barrow Strait, typical altitudes are between 400 to 500 metres above sea level, but the islands to the west of the Boothia Peninsula (such as Prince of Wales Island and the eastern part of Victoria Island) are mostly less than 150 metres above sea level. The islands to the west of Axel Heiberg Island are very low and the land rarely rises to more than 150 metres above sea level.Most of Nunavut's landforms are shaped by ice sheets and glaciers. The Laurentide Ice Sheet extended north from its centre near Hudson Bay to the north side of Parry Channel, while the highlands of Ellesmere, Axel Heiberg and Devon islands supported separate ice centres with ice flowing in all directions, coalescing in many places. Except for Bathurst Island and Cornwallis Island, the low northwestern islands were not ice covered during the Wisconsin glaciation, some 18,000 years ago. However, previous ice sheets reached the Arctic Ocean coast. The spectacular valley and fiord landscape of parts of the archipelago was shaped during the glacial periods. On Baffin Island, the Laurentide ice spilled over the height-of-land and out toward Baffin Bay, carving out deep valleys and fiords, some reaching depths of more than 900 metres. The fiords are often separated by alpine landscapes, making this a favored area for climbers.The ice sheets left large deposits of till (an unsorted mixture of clay, gravel and boulders), especially along the old ice margins, such as the distinct moraine features along eastern Baffin Island, and on the islands south of the Parry Channel, such as on Victoria Island. The last remnant of the Laurentide Ice Sheet is believed to have melted down over the shield area to the west of Hudson Bay, leaving large till deposits, often in the forms of drumlins. The area also has many eskers, long sinuous ridges of sand and gravel.The earth's crust was depressed under the weight of the ice sheet, and when it melted, extensive low-lying areas were inundated by the sea. The land has since risen and marine deposits and old shoreline features can be found at altitudes of more than 200 metres above sea level.
 
Climate in Nunavut
Nunavut, Canada's true Arctic, is by definition a desert.Some 2,000,000 square kilometres of land and sea will be frozen and white for at least half of the year and will explode in colour and life under 24 hours of sunlight in the short summer.The winter although dark and cold is for sky watchers with millions of stars and northern lights so close you feel you can reach out and touch them. The temperature may drop to -40�C (Celsius or Fahrenheit, it doesn't matter as the thermometers meet here) plus wind-chill and whiteouts, but it may be -15�C or 0�C with no wind and bright sunshine with the snow crunching under your cross-country skis.In the summer where mosquitoes compete with dust to irritate you, the fireweed, arctic heather and rhododendrons will keep your camera clicking.The musk-ox, caribou and floe edge sea life will be sure to require extra trips to the store for more film.The bug jacket over your T-shirt will be as important as the light down jacket and boots for the possible snow flurry. Always changing, always unexpected, the Arctic can be both a challenge and the fulfilment of a dream
 
Weather and Language
Nunavut is a huge territory, and the weather can vary widely. As a rule, in July and August, inland areas are warmer than coastal ones, while western regions are definitely warmer than the Baffin Region. Summer highs can differ widely. The warmest day on record in Iqaluit was a balmy 24.4�C, whereas Baker Lake once experienced a torrid 33.6�C day in July. (The highest temperature recorded in the Arctic was 43�C in Kugluktuk. But this is the exception, not the rule!) If the temperature is right, visitors can even swim at some sandy beaches in Nunavut - there are several in Rankin Inlet and one in Kugluktuk. Broughton Island, on the other hand, has never seen a day warmer than 19� C. Spring temperatures are more consistent throughout Nunavut, with average daytime highs between -20� C and -10� C. Cool days are tempered by lots of sunshine. From late March to the end of May, sun reflected off snow and ice can cause severe sunburn.DaylightIn winter, visitors should be prepared for cold temperatures and short days. On the shortest days of winter in Iqaluit, the sun rises and sets within four hours. The further north you go, the shorter the winter days get. Communities north of the Arctic Circle don't see the sun at all for stretches at a time, although the sky may lighten a bit at midday. Conversely, at the summer solstice, the sun shines for up to 21 hours a day in Iqaluit and many Kivalliq communities. The further north you go above the Arctic Circle, the more days you'll experience 24-hour daylight. Unsuspecting visitors, wishing to sleep in the open under the stars at night, have been known to wake up with lovely sunburns!Winter ColdLow humidity reduces the impact of the cold, making a -20�C day feel more like -5� C in southern Canada. Winds, however, can cause frostbite, so it's wise to have a parka with a ruff around its hood for wintertime visits. January, February and March are the coldest months, with an average high in Iqaluit of -22� C and a low of -30� C. The record low was -46� C. Cambridge Bay is even colder: January averages are -30� C for high and -37�C for low. But the coldest day on record anywhere in Nunavut was in Pelly Bay where the temperature, combined with the windchill, reached -92�C!PrecipitationAs most of the Arctic is a polar desert, long stretches of almost cloudless days without precipitation are common. Total annual precipitation in Iqaluit, converted to a water equivalent, is 43 centimetres. (Ottawa gets more than twice this amount in an average year, and despite its much shorter winter, gets about the same amount of snow.) However, throughout most of Nunavut, cool temperatures mean that snow cover generally doesn't finish melting until June. On most of the land, the only months without snow are June, July and August. Sea ice doesn't finish melting until later. Most rain falls just after the sea ice breaks up, usually between mid-July and the end of August.WindsThe wind always seems to blow in the Arctic! In all regions of Nunavut, many communities have steady average winds of 15 - 20 km/h almost daily. Some communities are notorious for occasional extreme winds. In Pangnirtung, for example, many of the older houses have cables fastening their roofs to the ground to protect them against gusts of more than 100km/h. Precipitation tends to fall sideways, as it's almost always accompanied by winds of 30�60 km/h. If you plan to spend extended time out on the land or water, you must consider the wind as a factor - it will magnify any chilling effects of the weather. The windchill factor is often more significant than the actual air temperature.Weather DelaysBlizzards are most common during autumn - especially in October and November - and early spring, February through April. Travel to the smaller communities can be severely affected at these times, because pilots must rely on good visibility to approach airstrips that don't have instrument landing systems. In the summer, weather delays can also be caused by strong winds, unpredictable cloud cover, and along a coastline, fog. Build time into your schedule to allow for the possibility of being "weathered in" or "weathered out" of a community by poor visibility or strong winds. If outdoor activities such as hiking or boating are on your agenda, make allowances in your plans for days when you'll choose to stay put, rather than travel in terrible, hypothermia-inducing weather.��------------------------------------------------------------------------Length of Midnight Sun and Arctic Night in Select Nunavut CommunitiesCommunity24 Hours of Sunshine24 Hours of DarknessGrise FiordApril 22 to August 20October 31 to February 11ResoluteApril 29 to August 13November 6 to February 5NanisivikMay 6 to August 6November 11 to January 30Arctic BayMay 6 to August 6November 11 to January 30Pond InletMay 5 to August 7November 12 to January 29Clyde RiverMay 13 to August 9November 22 to January 20Broughton IslandMay 29 to July 15December 16 to December 26PangnirtungJune 8 to July 4no 24-hour darknessRepulse BayJune 4 to July 9no 24-hour darknessHall BeachMay 21 to July 22December 2 to January 10IgloolikMay 18 to July 26November 26 to January 15Pelly BayMay 21 to July 22December 4 to January 7TaloyoakMay 17 to July 27November 25 to January 16Gjoa HavenMay 22 to July 21December 3 to January 9Cambridge BayMay 20 to July 23November 30 to January 11KugluktukMay 27 to July 17December 10 to January 2The limits of 24-hour sunlight and 24-hour darkness are not coincident, but extend approximately 50 nautical miles north and south of the Arctic Circle. This is due to a combination of effects: the "radius" of the solar disk accounts for approximately one-third of the shift, while the effects of refraction for the other two-thirds. Along the Arctic Circle, half the solar disk remains visible on the northern horizon at sunset on the longest day, and half the solar disk appears on the southern horizon during the shortest day.Source: Environment Canada




LANGUAGE




Inuktitut, the language of the Inuit, is alive and growing. It is widely used throughout the North, and Inuit from across the Arctic can understand one another. Dialects and accents vary from region to region, but Inuktitut is a single language. One of the first things a newcomer might notice is that a single word may be spelled many different ways. A white person is qallunaaq, kabloona - words that are spelled differently but sound roughly the same. The differences have come about because of our language's oral history. When a writing system was introduced for the first time more than 100 years ago, the words were written phonetically, and those phonetic versions varied from region to region. Today, Inuktitut is written in syllabics in the Baffin and Kivalliq regions, and in the eastern part of the Kitikmeot Region. In the western part of the Kitikmeot, it's written in Roman orthography. Since the mid-1970s, Inuit have made efforts to standardize Inuktitut so that the language becomes consistent throughout the circumpolar world. The "new orthography," the result of the standardization process, is gradually being used more, but the move to standardize Inuktitut is still ongoing.In the Kitikmeot, the name given to the language of Inuit is "Innuinaqtun." Some phrases used in the Baffin and Kivalliq regions of Nunavut are fairly similar in sound and are recognizable to people living in western Nunavut. There are some similarities among words spoken in Gjoa Haven, Taloyoak and Pelly Bay and those spoken in the Baffin and Kivalliq regions, but the language structures are quite different.A large portion of the population in the far western reaches of Nunavut speak English and are attempting to strengthen their Innuinaqtun in all areas, from schools to workplaces. As you move eastward, the Inuit language becomes more commonly used by Inuit. One difference visitors will notice in western Nunavut is that where Inuit from the eastern part of Nunavut use the "s" and "sh" sound, it is usually an "h" sound in the west. "Siksik," the ground squirrel, becomes "hikhik" in the western part of the Kitikmeot.When she was a little girl, my great-grandmother Kalajuk's Inuktitut was pure, without a trace of any other tongue. Her language evolved out of nature and daily living. This was in the middle 1800s.When the whalers came, they brought with them many things that would alter this way of life, including a new language. Words like tea, sugar, flour, waistcoat and paper became everyday Inuktitut words, but their pronunciation was distinctly Inuk: "tea" became ti, "sugar" was pronounced sukaq, palaugaaq meant "flour," "waistcoat" became uasikuaq, and "paper" was pronounced paipaq.When the clergy came, more new words and phrases were added to our language. The people were taught a new way to communicate, called syllabics, which was the first "written Inuktitut." The syllabics system was developed by Rev. Thomas Evans for the Cree and was adapted for the Inuit by Anglican missionary Edmund Peck. Its symbols are fashioned after secretarial shorthand. My great-grandmother learned to read and write syllabics, but she had to do it mostly from memory because there was no paper!When the Hudson's Bay Co. came, more terms and phrases were invented, all in Inuktitut. At the same time, my people were teaching the ministers and clerks Inuktitut, which secured our language. When the RCMP came, they too brought new words and expressions that broadened our language. They also had to learn Inuktitut.I was born in 1946, at a time when my parents still depended on the land and sea for survival. Like generations before them, they were saving the language by oral traditions. I was brought up completely in Inuktitut but my parents used items for which no real Inuktitut word existed, like primus stoves, cups, teakettles, spoons, beads, plastic combs, rifles, tobacco, squeeze boxes, and a few other things. Words for all of these items were invented in our language.I was 11 years old when I started formal classroom instruction. I learned by translating everything into Inuktitut. When I could not translate what I learned, it was very hard to understand. For example, when I learned about cows, horses and pigs, I couldn't understand why they didn't run away from the people. All the animals I had ever seen always ran away from people. The teacher did not explain that these were domesticated animals. A word quickly came to mind: nujuataittut, which means "animals that do not run away." After that, new things were easier to understand, but I had to form my own language to help me learn.In 1964 I graduated from a secretarial school in Toronto. At the time I was one of very few fully bilingual Inuit. My services as an interpreter were in great demand by government departments. By this time all school-age children were receiving formal education in English only.In 1965 I became aware that I did not know enough of my own culture - I mean the legends, songs, dances, myths, beliefs and histories of my people. I was working at the CBC at the time and my cousin Jonah Kelly and I started to tape the stories of our elders and air them on the radio. This was a new way to preserve both Inuktitut and our legends for all time. I like to think that we helped save a huge chunk of our language by taping the words of our people. We have a huge language to keep alive. I say this because Inuktitut has the ability to grow without limit because it is a very descriptive language. It is a good feeling to be able to carry on a conversation in Inuktitut without using a single word of English or any other language. That is why most imported items and concepts are given descriptive names and terms. I believe this method has enriched our language and made it grow.The word asujutidli has been used in recent times as a greeting. Inuit traditionally didn't say anything when they greeted each other, preferring to communicate with a warm smile and a handshake. Conversation would begin after proper introductions, but words or expressions like "hello" or "how are you?" were historically uncommon in Inuktitut. Asujutidli cannot be translated into a single English word; its closest meaning is something like: "it is truly you" or "you are truly you."To say "I am from," first name your country or city and end it with miungujunga. For example: England-miungujunga or Toronto-miungujunga.I want to learn to speak Inuktitut: Inuktitut Uqariurumavunga.Uvanga means "Me," so to say "my name is," first say uvanga then say your name. For example: Uvanga Ann or Uvanga Peter. To say the same thing in the western part of Nunavut, you would say guyuga after the name: Ann-guyuga.In order to learn useful Inuit phrases that might come in handy when travelling in the North, you should start by practising common Inuktitut sounds, like those listed below. Common Inuktitut Sounds i (ee, long e) u (oo, u --long u) aa (ah) pi (pe) pu (poo) pa (pa) ti (tee) tu (too) ta (ta) ki (key) ku (koo) ka (ka) gi (ghee) gu (goo) ga (ga) mi (me) mu (moo) ma (ma) ni (nee) nu (noo) na (na) si (see) su (soo) sa (sa) li (lee) lu (loo) la (la) ji (jee) ju (joo) ja (ja) vi (vee) vu (voo) va (va) ri (re) ru (rue) ra (ra) Guttural: qi qu qa Nasal: ngi ngu ngaa Useful Phrases EnglishHow are you?I am fineWhat is your name? I want to take your pictureThank you InuktitutQanuipit?Qanuingittunga Kinauvit?AjjiliurumajagitQujannamiik Pronunciation"Ka-nwee-peet?""Ka-nweeng-ni-toon-ga""Kee-nau-veet?""A-jee-lee-oo-roo-maa-ya-geet""Coo-yan-na-mee-ick" That's allYou are welcome Taima lIaali "Tie-ma""Ee-lah-lih" I am hungry Kaaktunga "Kak-toon-ga" I am cold Qiuliqtunga "K-o-lick-toon-ga" It is cold (weather) Ikkiirnaqtuq "Ick-eang-nak-took" Will the weather be good today? Silasianguniapa? "See-la-see-aang-un-ee-aa-pa?" Help! Ikajunga! "Ick-a-yung-ga!" Did you make this? Una sanajait? "Oo-na san-ai-yate?" How much is it? Qatsituqqa? "Cat-see-to-kaw?" How many? Qatsiit? "Cat-seet?" Yes Ii "Ee" No Aakka or aagaa "Ah-ka" or "Ah-ga" Maybe (I don't really know) Atsuuli or aamai "At-soo-lee" or "Ah-my" Expensive Akitujuq "Ah-kee-too-yuk" I have to use the washroom Quisuktunga "Kwee-soot-toon-ga" I am sick Aaniajunga "Ah-nee-a-yung-ga" What is it? Una suna? "Oo-na soo-na?" Where is the hotel? Nau taima sinitavik? "Naowk tie-ma see-nee-ta-vik?" Where is the store? Nau taima niuvivik? "Naowk tie-ma new-vee-vik?" Where is the church? Nau taima tuksiavik? "Naowk tie-ma took-see-aa-vik?" Where am I? Namiippunga? "Nah-me-poon-ga?" I want to go by dogteam Qimuksikkuurumavunga "Kim-mook-sick-koo-roo-mah-voon-ga" I want to phone Uqaalagumajunga "Oo-ka-la-goo-ma-jung-ga" I want to go fishing Iqalliarumajunga "Ee-ka-lee-aa-roo-ma-jung-ga" Goodbye (to an individual) Tavvauvutit "Tah-vow-voo-teet" Goodbye to you all Tavvauvusi "Tah-vow-voo-see"

 
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