THE ROLE OF GEOSCIENCE IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF NUNAVUT

Nunavut is Canada's newest Territory, established on April 1, 1999 under the terms of a historic modern aboriginal land claim agreement. It comprises 2 million km2, (20% of Canada's landmass), and has a population of only 27,000, of whom 85% are Inuit. It has Canada's fastest growing population (5-year growth rate of ~8.1%), more than double the national average; 60% of the population is under the age of 25. Education, life expectancy and income levels lag far behind the rest of Canada, while unemployment is locally an order of magnitude higher. Nunavut's economy is a unique mix of traditional land-based activities (hunting, fishing, carving) as well as wage-based, in transition from traditional to modern. The widespread land-based economy is significant in terms of providing food and modest financial improvements to lifestyle. The wage-based economy is government (40% of GDP), followed by mining (18%); commercial business, transportation, communication, manufacturing and commercial fishing collectively comprise 9%, with limited upside potential. Clearly the status quo is not sustainable; young Nunavummiut require quality employment to support their choice of a modern, hybrid lifestyle in their respective communities.

The mineral and energy endowment of Nunavut, and the principles of sustainability outlined in the land claim agreement, provide opportunities for local economic and social self-reliance. Whereas our knowledge of Nunavut’s geology is rudimentary; it is known to record three-billion years of earth history, and includes examples of every major mineral deposit type. Advancing the framework geoscience knowledge base has begun to stimulate private exploration expenditures, despite depressed commodity prices. Capacity-building efforts are underway to ensure that Inuit are positioned to guide, participate in and eventually operate and control exploration, development and mining operations. Under the terms of the Land Claim, these developments will maximize benefits to local people, minimize disruption of the environment, and facilitate quality of life.