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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGoderich Signal Star, 2017-06-21, Page 19Wednesday, June 21, 2017 • Signal Star 19 41P COAST-TO-COAST PRIDE OFFICIALLY CANADIAN SINCE... 19 On April 1, 1999, new boundaries were drawn in Canada's North. Carved out of the central and eastern areas of the Northwest Territories, Nunavut - which means "our land" in Inuktitut — finally became a distinct Canadian territory after years of tireless negotiations. IN A NUTSHELL The creation of Nunavut was the outcome of the largest Aboriginal land claims agreement in Canadian history. A surge in oil, gas and mineral exploration in the North during the 70s forced the Inuit to organize in response to the fast -paced economic developments affecting their land. (The Inuit and First Nations peoples have a spiritual connection to the land, animals and sea, and believe resources must be used wisely as a show of respect.) A traditional hunter -gatherer society, the Inuit sought self - governance as a means to protect their cultural well-being. After years of 're -negotiating treaties, the Canadian government finally enacted the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement in 1993, which gave the Inuit a slice of the North and bestowed them with various rights, including wildlife and resource management. The birth of Canada's newest, largest and northernmost territory resulted in the first major change to the country's geo-political map since the inclusion of Newfoundland in 1949. NOT TO BE MISSED For a lot of travellers, Canada's vast North is still uncharted territory. But don't let its brisk northern weather and snow -filled landscapes deter you. As one of the largest unspoiled territories on Earth, Nunavut's natural beauty promises the Arctic adventure of a lifetime! THINGS TO DO Wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting, dogsledding, snowmobiling, camping, hiking, canoeing, kayaking — there are many ways adventure - seekers can experience Canada's true North. A land bumming with history, fauna and spectacular arctic landscapes, Nunavut has increasingly been attracting explorers from all over the globe. Enjoy the sights and sounds of Canada's youngest territory by admiring the local wildlife (polar bears, walruses, caribou, narwhals, etc.) that gather around the floe edge; camping under the dancing lights of the Aurora Borealis; sailing past glacial mountains aboard an arctic cruise ship; embarking on a snowmobile expedition across Nunavut's pristine wilderness; paddling down some of the world's most beautiful rivers; or touring vibrant communities (Arctic Bay, Igloolik, Cape Dorset, Igaluit, etc.) to experience the Inuit way of life firsthand. CLIMATE Pack your down coats and extreme cold- weather gear because Nunavut's arctic climate can sometimes be unforgiving. Bitterly cold in the winter and cool to cold in the summer, Nunavut is home to some of the iciest communities on Earth. However, the cool days of spring bring plenty of sunshine and the low humidity in the north helps reduce the impact of the cold. DEMONYM People from Nunavut are officially referred to as Nunavummiut (Noo-na-vu-mee-uth), although the term Inuit, or its derogatory counterpart "eskimo," is often incorrectly used to refer to any person hailing from Canada's Great North. OFFICIAL MOTTO (Our Land, Our Strength) LICENCE PLATE SLOGAN 1999-2011: Explore Canada's Arctic NEW PLATES, NEW IDENTITY At the time of separation, vehicles in Nunavut continued to circulate with the Northwest Territories' iconic bear -shaped licence plate, introduced in 1970. Later, in 2011, Nunavut decided it was time to differentiate itself further from its former reliance, and a contest was launched to create new plates. Among the 200 designs submitted, it was Igaluit resident Ron Froese's beautiful night scene that captured the hearts of government officials. Today, Nunavut's rectangular plates feature a polar bear, an inuksuk, three sets of northern lights for the territory's three regions (Kitikmeot, Kivalliq-and Oikigtaaluk) and 25 stars for each of the territory's communities. The plates bear no official slogan and feature the Inuktitut syllabics for Nunavut (.y) at the bottom. M&M FOOD MARKET SEINING GODERICH & ARA FOR 26 YEARS Real Food For Real Life 394 Huron Rd, Goderich (519) 524-1305 tJ GA F Ken McGee Holdings Inc. Automotive Literature Collector Cars, Toys & Literature 442 MACEWAN ST., GODERICH, ON Open Monday to .Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. We have one of the largest collections of quality vintage toys you will find anywhere. Minnitoy, Structo, Lincoln, Marx, Girard, Wyandotte, Tonka, Buddy L, Nylint, Buckeye, Steelcraft, Smith -Miller, Lehmann, Hubley, Arcade, Kingsbury, Sturditoy, Fischer, etc. Cars, trucks, wind-up characters, drummer boys and so on. All on display, all for sale. The biggest choice of toy tow trucks you will ever hope to see. kenmcgeebooksehurontel.on.ca 1-888-275-2666 www.kenmcgeeautobooks.com NUNAVUT 1111 DID YOU KNOW? • Nunavut is Canada's only geo-political region that is not connected to the rest of North America by highwayin fact. Nunavut has no connecting highways: travelling between communities is largely done by aircraft. cruise ship. snowmobile and even dogsled. • Nunavut is home to the world's northernmost permanently inhabited settlement. Alert -- a cold, hard and desolate land with a population of 62. • A vast wilderness. Nunavut spreads over an area the size of Western Europe: 2.093.000 km . • Igaluit is the current territorial capital and the only community within Nunavut to have received its order of status as a city. • Nunavut has the highest birthrate of Canada's provinces and territories. with 52% of its population under the age of 25. • All homes in Nunavut are built on stilts to avoid melting the region's permafrost (year-round frozen subsoil). • Nunavut has no local or city policebut one RCMP branch located in the territory's capital. • In an attempt to transmit their ancestral heritage. community elders teach youth traditional skills. such as hunting. butchering and skinning of slain animals. in school. • Nunavut has more artists per capita than any other place in the world. In fact. arts and crafts make up a significant portion of the territory's economic activity. ANC 519-529-3222 36936 Glen Hilts Rd. 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