While Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) looks to the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement for guiding legislation, it was a party to the signing of the Nunavut Devolution Agreement last week.
NTI explained that its role is to ensure “that promises made under the Nunavut Agreement are carried out. Inuit exchanged Aboriginal title to all their traditional land in the Nunavut Settlement Area for the rights and benefits set out in the Nunavut Agreement. The management of land, water and wildlife is very important to Inuit. NTI coordinates and manages Inuit responsibilities set out in the Nunavut Agreement and ensures that the federal and territorial governments fulfill their obligation.”
To that end, Nunavut News asked NTI President Aluki Kotierk about her perspective on the devolution agreement.
“I think in this devolution agreement, we’re very pleased that there’s a commitment for a joint management committee,” she said. It will be set up as a cooperation committee between the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, and I think that will be a space where senior officials from NTI and the regional Inuit associations will be able to meet with senior officials from the GN to talk about and work through any concerns, or work that’s required in terms of legislation or policy development in regards to land management. So I think that’s something really positive that we’ll start implementing once we’ve gotten through the transition period [ending April 1, 2027].
“My celebratory moment going through the devolution agreement is chapter 7 that relates to training and human resource development,” Kotierk added. “I think it’s really important. I recognize that with devolution there will be positions that move from the Government of Canada to the GN that will also include some individuals who choose to move to Nunavut, which is welcome, as the premier indicated. But I think there is a great opportunity for us to ramp up the training available so that Inuit can take part in some of those responsibilities of land administration.
“I will say also that I’m very pleased, in addition to that, what is crucially important is the commitment for the financial resources everywhere until we’re able to achieve an Inuit work force. Qujannamiik.”