By Jeff Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News
January 18, 2024
It’s a “historic moment” in Nunavut as the territory prepares to assume authority over much of its Crown lands, said Premier P.J. Akeeagok in an interview Wednesday.
He sat down with Nunatsiaq News two days before he signed the Nunavut Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement during a ceremony in Iqaluit, along with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. president Aluki Kotierk.
The signing marks the end of negotiations with NTI and the federal government that date back to Nunavut’s early days. Renewed negotiations started in 2014.
“It’s a very proud moment for me, to have come from Grise Fiord and to be able to celebrate a major milestone like this, but I wouldn’t be here, really, if it wasn’t for the previous premiers who really had championed and pushed this file,” Akeeagok said, praising all five of his predecessors by name.
“It’s a historic moment that I feel very proud to have played a small role, but a very important role, when you’re looking at transferring the largest land transfer in Canadian history and closing out as the last jurisdiction in Canada to have a devolution agreement.”
The agreement concerns approximately 20 per cent of Canada’s land mass, Akeeagok noted.
Not all of Nunavut’s Crown lands will be transferred to the GN; sites such as military and research installations and national parks will remain under federal control.
There is currently no development on Crown lands. But with devolution, approval of development projects in the territory will no longer fall to the hands of a federal minister.
“We hold some incredible resources in the territory,” Akeeagok said.
“I think it’s a huge opportunity for us to build the industries that are there.”
The Nunavut Planning Commission and Nunavut Impact Review Board will continue to play their roles in the regulatory process. Akeeagok said Nunavummiut are “thankful” for those organizations and the roles they play.
The more than 200-page devolution agreement includes several other provisions.
Notably, several federal government jobs tasked with administering Crown lands will become jobs in the GN.
There is also a major element of the agreement in which the GN commits to working with NTI to improve education and job training as it relates to Article 23 of the Nunavut Agreement, to maximize Inuit employment opportunities.
The devolution agreement outlines as well two formulas on how Nunavut would be able to collect royalties from resource extraction on the newly acquired territorial lands.
Devolution won’t take effect immediately.
April 1, 2024 – coincidentally, the same day Nunavut celebrates 25 years as a territory – will be when the three-year transition period begins. The final transfer date is April 1, 2027.
That time allows the GN, NTI and federal government to make sure every part of the devolution is properly implemented, Akeeagok said.
As he looked ahead to this new chapter in Nunavut’s history, his eyes glanced over to a wall in his office decorated with photos of his family.
He said the Nunavut of today was built by the elders who fought for their rights.
With devolution, he said, the next generations of Nunavummiut will have control over the territory’s resources.
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“I really think today’s about the youth and the continued investments we’ve got to make into the youth to ensure we have a bright future,” he said.