Transcript Slide 1

Nunavut
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This rock statue is called an inuksuk. (in-uk-suk)
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Inuit use them as directional markers and
landmarks.
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“Inuk” means person and “suk” means substitute.
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It is meant to symbolize a person pointing
travelers in the right direction.
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In 1999 Nunavut becomes Canada’s official 3rd
territory.
Nunavut: Land
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Nunavut means “our
land” in Inuktitut.
It makes up 21.3% of
Canada’s total area
(largest part of Canada)
It is an Arctic
Archipelago (cluster of
islands).
Mountainous and rocky
The Canadian
Archipelago
(Arctic
Archipelago) is
the largest in the
world. It accounts
for most of
Nunavut’s size
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Some areas are covered by ice sheets 2
km thick.
Lots of valleys, frozen lakes, and costal
fjords, caused by glaciers.
Fjord: A narrow inlet of the sea between cliffs or
steep slopes.
Nunavut has very rocky, mountainous
terrain
The Regions of Nunavut
Nunavut has three major regions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v
1.Baffin Region
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=Mi0TACqvc88
Cities and towns include:
a) Iqaluit
b) Pond Inlet
c) Clyde River
d) Eureka
e) Alert
Eureka
Note: Alert is the most
northern settlement in the
world. It has only 5
permanent residents. Alert
is also used for military and
research.
Note: Eureka is
located on
Ellesmere Island and
is primarily used as a
military base and
satellite/ radio
monitoring
Alert
2. Keewatin
Region:
Cities and Towns
Include:
a) Chesterfield Inlet
b) Repulse Bay
c) Rankin Inlet
3. Kitikmeot Region:
Include:
a) Cambridge Bay
b) Bathurst Inlet
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Purple Saxifrage is
Nunavut’s official
flower .
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It is one of the few
plants that will grow in
the Canadian north.
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Source of food (Inuit)
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Sweet tasting flower –
(Eat it raw or boil it in
water - creates a sweet
liquid).
Nunavut: Climate
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Climate is harsh.
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Winters are long and cold (-40°C) with strong
winds
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Summers are short and cool (+/-10°C). Frost in
the summer is not uncommon.
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No precipitation (Polar desert).
Vegetation
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Very few plants are able to survive (harsh climate).
Tundra vegetation consists:
 Small bushes
 Patches of grass
 Mosses
 Lichens
 Some flowers
 NO trees
Population
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Total area of 1.9 million km2.
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Approx. 30
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000 inhabitants
Iqaluit (capital city) has a little over 6,200
inhabitants.
Over 85% of Nunavut’s population is Inuit.
Quebec has an area of 1.3 million km2 and has almost 8
million people.
Government
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Premier is the Honourable
PETER TAPTUNA (since
2013).
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Narwhal is a sea animal with a long tusk on
it’s face.
+/- 4m-6m in length
Weighs up to 1.6 tons
Live +/- 50 years
Source of food (Inuit)
Tusks - used to make tools & weapons.
Language and Education
TODAY
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Inuit kids go to public school.
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They speak English or French & Inuktitut (Inuit
language).
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Also trying to protect their culture (like Qc).
PAST
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Knowledge was passed down orally from elders to
grandchildren; kids did not attend schools
Inuit Clothing
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Traditional clothing comes from animal
skins, intestines or furs.
These parts retained heat and were
waterproof
Getting wet/not wearing proper clothing in
the arctic is very dangerous...can lead to
death.
Shelter and Transportation
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Traditionally, they lived in skin tents or
mud houses (summer) and in igloos
(winter).
Today they live in wooden, permanent
houses.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=uB4JGUzve6M
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Different modes of transportation are either
traditional or modern.
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Modern: snowmobiles, ATV’s and trucks
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Traditional: dog-sled, kayak, and umiaq (row
boat)
Sources of Food
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Inuit diet is made up of meat and fish &
edible plants.
Most Inuit will hunt or fish.
Food sources: narwhal, polar bear, seal,
caribou, musk ox, and whale.
This diet gives them lots of energy (very
important in the North).
WEAPONS
PAST
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Harpoon – Used it to hunt large animals.
3 main parts: The shaft, head, and rope.
Harpoon head stabs animal & rope is used to
pull body towards you.
TODAY
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High-powered rifles
Harpoons
Inuit Diet
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Diet consists mostly
of meat - provides
them with the energy
needed to survive in
the Arctic.
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Edible plants - purple
saxifrage
Hunting in Nunavut
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Hunting is the main source of acquiring
food in Nunavut.
Today the Inuit can buy food in general
stores, but most still hunt.
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Main hunting ground for the Inuit was on
pack ice and ice floes.
Inuit hunted larger animals (ex: whales
and seals) on sea ice.
Inuit hunting weapons:
a)
Harpoon and spear (larger animals)
b)
Bow and arrows, clubs, and knives (smaller
animals)
c)
Bolas were used to hunt birds.
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A Bola is a small net with bone beads attached
to it.
Polar Bear hunting
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It is a traditional food source for the Inuit.
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Inuit eat its meat and use its skin to make clothing.
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Claws and bones are used to make tools &
weapons.
In the past:
 Used harpoons & bow and arrows to kill polar
bears.
Today:
 Use high powered rifles.
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Today, tourists also hunt Polar bears.
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American adventure travelers will pay up to
$30,000 for the chance to kill a polar bear.
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Hunters will keep the skin or head as a trophy(rest of
body thrown out).
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Gov’t of Canada set yearly quotas (how many polar
bears allowed to be hunted).
Debate: Polar Bear Hunting
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Almost 80% of all Polar Bears killed are in
Nunavut.
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Each year, the Government of Nunavut sets the
quota for the number Polar Bears allowed to be
hunted (+/-500)
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Experts believe Polar Bears will go on the
endangered species list for these 2 reasons:
High hunting quota
Dying from a lack of food due to global warming
a)
b)
Seal hunting
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Seal are killed for their skin, blubber, & meat.
The Inuit use seals for food and use their skin
and bones to make clothing and tools.
The Inuit still use clubs, harpoons, and
hakapiks to kill them.
Seals are hunted for 3 reasons:
a) Food
b) Balancing out its population
c) Make products we buy in stores.
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Clothing companies sell seal skin products (Ex:
Versace, Gucci, Tommy Hilfiger).
Controversy: Seal Hunting
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Sealing is mostly done in the Canadian north.
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Canadian Gov’t is criticized for allowing sealing to
continue.
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It sets yearly quotas (a fixed number ) at
approximately 300 000 seals.
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Canada is also
criticized by animal
rights groups for
allowing sealers to
use hakapiks to kill
seals.
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It is considered a
brutal method
because seals are
beaten to death with
these weapons.
Canadian Government argues:
a) Beating is painless
b) Sealing balances out its population in the
North
c) Sealing is good for our economy ($25 million
every year).
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Greenland Facts
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81% of its surface is
covered by an ice
sheet.
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Heavy ice sheet has
pushed the surface
300m below sea level.
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World’s largest island
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Population: 60 000
What does Greenland & Nunavut
have in common?
1.
2.
a)
b)
c)
3.
4.
Large native population (Kalaallisut)
Both natives groups:
Live similar lifestyles
rely on hunting & fishing
Use sea ice & land glaciers to hunt
Both territories have the same climate &
vegetation
Ice melt due to GLOBAL WARMING.
Global Warming: The Basics
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It is a gradual, natural increase in the overall
temperature of the earth's atmosphere
Greenhouse gases are created by:
a) Using large amounts of energy
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b)
Burning of fossil fuels
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a)
b)
c)
What is speeding up the process of Global
Warming?
Greenhouse Gases
Pollution
Deforestation
What are the effects of global warming in
Nunavut?
1.
2.
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Sea ice for hunting is
disappearing.
Marine mammals and
animals that use the ice will
disappear.
Inuit will loose valuable food
sources.
Inuit communities will
disappear.
Some General effects of Global
Warming
1.
2.
3.
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5.
6.
7.
Extreme Weather (Hurricane Sandy)
Sea level rise
Flooding or Drought
Loss of drinkable water
Decreased food supplies
Loss of many animal species
Cost for many products (food, electricity, etc.)
will increase.