Transcript Slide 1

Nunavut
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This rock statue is called an inuksuk.
These statues are used by the Inuit as
directional markers and landmarks.
Inuksuk comes from the Inuit words “inuk”
meaning person and “suk” meaning
substitute.
The inuksuk is meant to symbolize a
person pointing travelers in the right
direction.
A Brief History of Nunavut
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Scientists believe that the first people in North
America were the Old World hunters, who
came in search of food
30 000-25 000 BC.
These hunters hunted mammoths and
mastodons.
Between 30 000 and 12 000 BCE most of
Canada was buried under an ice sheet
4km thick.
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By 9000 BC the ice sheet was almost
completely melted.
Around the year 1000 the Thule culture
starts to appear. The Thule are the
ancestors of the Inuit.
Between the 1570-1820 there were
numerous expeditions by British explorers.
The British set up many settlements which
primarily served as whaling stations.
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In 1999 Nunavut becomes Canada’s
official 3rd territory.
The Vikings
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Erik the Red established settlements in
Greenland and explored the Canadian North
from 986-1020.
Erik’s son Leif Erikson created a settlement
called Markland.
Markland is modern day Baffin island.
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Some historians also believe that Leif
created settlement in Newfoundland.
L’Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland is
believed to be one of Lief’s settlements
(1000 AD).
Despite proof like L’Anse aux Meadows
many historians don’t believe that the
Vikings explored Northern Canada.
Nunavut: Land
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The word Nunavut means “our land” in Inuktitut.
It makes up 21.3% of Canada’s total area,
making it the largest part of Canada. Quebec is
second (15%).
Most of Nunavut’s size come from the Arctic
Archipelago (cluster of islands).
It has a very mountainous and rocky terrain.
Some areas are still covered by ice sheets 2 km
thick.
It has many valleys, frozen lakes, and costal
fjords, caused by past movements of glaciers.
The Regions of Nunavut
Nunavut has three major regions:
1.Baffin Region
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Cities and towns include:
a) Iqaluit
b) Pond Inlet
c) Clyde River
d) Eureka
e) Alert
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Fjord: A narrow inlet of the sea between
cliffs or steep slopes.
2. Keewatin Region:
Cities and Towns
Include:
a) Chesterfield Inlet
b) Repulse Bay
c) Rankin Inlet
3. Kitikmeot Region:
Cities and Towns
Include:
a) Cambridge Bay
b) Bathurst Inlet
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The image above is the purple saxifrage.
The Purple Saxifrage is the official flower of
Nunavut.
This flower is one of the few plants that will
grow in the Canadian north.
The Purple Saxifrage is a source of food for
the Inuit.
This is a sweet tasting flower and could be
eaten raw or boiled in water which creates a
sweet liquid.
Nunavut: Climate
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Nunavut has a very harsh climate making most
of Nunavut inhospitable (not liveable).
Winters are long and cold frequently reaching 40°C. There are very strong winds.
Summers are short and cool. The Temperature
usually stays around 10°C. Frost in the summer is
not uncommon.
The precipitation ranges from 300mm in the
south to less then 100mm in the far north. This
lack of precipitation lead many to call the North
a Polar desert.
Nunavut: Vegetation
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Very few plants are able to survive in
Nunavut’s harsh climate.
Nunavut has small bushes, patches of
grass, mosses, lichens and some flowers.
This type of vegetation is called Tundra.
There are NO trees in Nunavut.
Nunavut: Population
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Nunavut has a total area of 1.9 million km2.
Despite its huge size Nunavut only has a
population of around 30 000 people.
Nunavut’s largest city is its capital, Iqaluit, it
has a little over 6200 people.
Quebec has an area of 1.3 million km2 and
has almost 8 million people.
Over 85% of Nunavut’s population is Inuit.
Nunavut: Government
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Nunavut became Canada’s 3rd territory on
April 1st 1999.
Their premier is Paul Okalik, who has been
serving since 1999.
Nunavut also has 1 seat in the House of
Commons and 1 seat in the senate.
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The animal in the image above is a
Narwhal.
The narwhal is a very distinct sea animal
because of the long tusk on it’s face.
Narwhals can be 4-6 meters in length and
can weight up to 1.6 tons. They live about
50 years.
The narwhal is a source of food for the Inuit.
They also use the tusk to make different
tools and weapons.
Language and Education
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Inuit children go to school in their own
communities. They learn their native
language as English or French.
Inuit education is very similar to ours in
Quebec. In both areas a cultural group is
trying to protect its culture.
The Inuit language is called Inuktitut.
Inuktitut has only 15 consonants and 3
vowels.
This is a very difficult language to learn.
Inuit Clothing
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Traditional Inuit clothing comes from animal
skins, intestines or furs.
The Inuit used these parts because they
retained heat and were waterproof.
Getting wet in the arctic is very dangerous,
because you will begin to freeze.
Many people die every year in the arctic
by not wearing the proper clothing.
Shelter and Transportation
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Traditionally the Inuit lived in an animal
skin tent or sod (mud/dirt) house in the
summer and an igloo in the winter.
Today many Inuit live in wooden
houses. However, some still lead the
traditional lifestyle.
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The Inuit many different modes of
transportation, some are traditional
and others are not.
Non traditional modes are
snowmobiles, ATV’s (all terrain vehicle)
and trucks.
Traditional methods include; dog-sled,
kayak (one person boat), and umiaq
(row boat)
Sources of Food
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Most of the Inuit diet is made up of meat
and fish. There are very few edible plants in
Nunavut.
Most Inuit will hunt or fish for their food.
Food sources include: narwhal, polar bear,
seal, caribou, musk ox, and whale.
This diet gives the Inuit a lasting amount of
energy which is very important in the North.
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The image above shows Inuit harpoon
heads.
The harpoon was the traditional weapon of
choice for the Inuit when hunting large
animals.
The harpoon has three main parts. The
shaft, head, and rope.
Once the head of the harpoon(s) stabbed
the animal, the rope would be used to
Inuit Diet
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The Inuit diet consists mostly of meat. This
provides the Inuit with the energy they
need to survive in the Arctic.
There are some edible plants in Nunavut
(purple saxifrage). However many Inuit
prefer eating meat.
The traditional method of obtaining
meat is by hunting (see food sources).
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.
Traditionally the main hunt ground for the
Inuit were the pack ice and ice floes.
On the sea ice is where the Inuit would hunt
larger animals, such as whales and seals.
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The Inuit used a variety of hunting
weapons.
The harpoon and spear were used for
larger animals.
Bow and arrows, clubs, and knives
were used for smaller animals.
Bolas were used to hunt birds. A Bola is
a small net with bone beads attached
to it.
Polar Bear hunting in Nunavut
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Polar bear is a traditional food source for
the Inuit.
Along with meat the Inuit will use Polar bear
skins to make clothing.
The claws and bones are used to make
tools and weapons.
Traditionally, the Inuit would use a
harpoons, bows and arrows to kill polar
bears.
Today the Inuit use high powered rifles.
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Today many people, other then the Inuit
hunt polar bear.
Many adventure travelers, especially from
the USA, will pay between 25,000 -30,000$
for the chance to kill a polar bear.
Many hunters will keep the skin or head as
a trophy, and sell or discard the rest of the
body.
The Canadian government has set limits on
hunting polar bear, but there are many
illegal hunt that take place every year.
Controversy: Polar Bear Hunting
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Almost 80% of all Polar Bears killed are in
Nunavut.
In 2005 the government of Nunavut raised
the quota of bear allowed to be killed from
400 to 518.
Many scientists believe that a high hunting
quota along with the bears that are dying
from a lack of food due to global warming,
will put the Polar Bear on the endangered
species list.
Seal hunting in Nunavut
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Seal are primarily killed for their skin,
blubber, and meat.
The Inuit use seals for food and use their skin
and bones to make clothing and tools.
The Inuit traditionally used clubs, harpoons,
and hakapiks to kill seals.
These weapons are still used today.
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Seals are hunted for personal (food),
environmental, and commercial purposes.
Large clothing companies like Versace,
Gucci, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, and
Ralph Lauren all have seal skin products.
Controversy: Seal Hunting
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Most of the world’s seal hunting is done in
the Canadian north.
Harp seal is the type of seal that is usually
hunted.
Canada is highly criticized for allowing seal
hunts to continue.
This year the government established a 275
000 seal quota. This is down from last year’s
350 000.
Canada’s seal hunting season started on
March 28.
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Canada is also criticized by animal rights
groups for the brutal method they allow
sealers to use: beating to death with a club
or hakapik.
Government experts argue that the
beating is painless.
The government argues if there was no seal
hunt, the seal population would overrun
other northern animals.
Sealing is an industry that makes nearly 25
million dollars every year.
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What do you think about seal
and polar bear hunting?
Should the Governments do
something about seal and
polar bear hunting? Why or
why not?
The image above is a satellite view of
Greenland.
 81% of Greenland’s surface is covered
by an ice sheet.
 The ice sheet is so heavy that it has
pushed the actual surface 300 meters
below sea level.
 Greenland is the world’s largest island
and has a population of about 60 000
people.
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What does Greenland and Nunavut
have in common?
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Large native population (Kalaallisut)
Native live similar lifestyle to the Inuit
Many natives rely on hunting or fishing
Climate and vegetation
Use sea ice and land glaciers to hunt.
Ice melt due to GLOBAL WARMING.
Global Warming: The Basics
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Global warming refers to a period when
average temperatures all over the Earth
increase.
Global warming occurs naturally.
Using large amounts of energy and the
burning of fossil fuels creates greenhouse
gases.
Greenhouse gases speed up the process of
global warming.
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Pollution and deforestation also increase
the rate of global warming.
Effects of Global Warming on Nunavut
What are some potential effects of global
warming on Nunavut?
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Inuit will not be able to use the sea ice for
hunting.
Marine mammals and animals that use
the ice will disappear.
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Inuit will loose valuable food sources.
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Inuit communities will disappear.
Some General effects of Global
Warming
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Extreme Weather
Sea level rise
Flooding or Drought
Loss of potable water
Decreased food supplies
Loss of many animal species
Cost for many products (food,
electricity, etc.) will increase.
What can you do to help?
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Use less electricity (fewer lights, etc.)
Waste less water
Reduce, reuse, recycle
Take public transportation, car pool,
walk/bike
Buy energy efficient products
Change your light bulbs
Any others you can think of……………