Inuit Nunangat means "the homeland of the Inuit" in the Inuktitut language and refers to the traditional lands and territories inhabited by the Inuit people across the Arctic regions of Canada. This vast area encompasses four regions: Inuvialuit in the western Arctic, Nunavut in the central and eastern Arctic, Nunavik in northern Quebec, and Nunatsiavut in northern Labrador. Inuit Nunangat is characterized by its unique geography, culture, and way of life, shaped by centuries of adaptation to the Arctic environment.
Socio-politically, Inuit Nunangat has been shaped by both historical and contemporary forces. In recent times, efforts towards Inuit self-determination, pursued through a variety of political processes, has been central to the evolution of how these four regions are governed, and how they relate to the rest of the Canadian Federation. The negotiation of land claims agreements in all four regions, the creation of the territory of Nunavut in 1999, and the ongoing efforts to enshrine a direct relationship between the Federal Government and Inuit leadership, especially through the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee are examples of Inuit-led initiatives to assert self-sufficiency and safeguard their rights.
Inuit Nunangat has experienced rapid modernization and economic development over the past 50 years. There are significant existing and growing opportunities in sectors such as mining, defence and commercial fishing. Balancing these economic opportunities with the need to protect the environment and preserve traditional ways of life is a complex challenge facing Inuit communities and leaders alike.
