Archived - 1996-1997 Annual Report on the Implementation of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement

    This is the fourth annual report submitted by the Nunavut Implementation Panel covering the implementation of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (NLCA) for the period of April 1, 1996 to March 31, 1997.

    To prepare this report, information was obtained from Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, the federal and territorial governments and the implementing bodies established under the Agreement.

    During this reporting period, the Panel's role of monitoring, overseeing and providing direction to the implementation process has moved to a new stage. One of the more significant responsibilities of the Panel during the first three years was providing direction to the Transition Teams of The three Resource Management Boards. This activity required extensive participation by the Panel in the discussion or debate of a variety of complex issues. The most contentious issues have now reached varying degrees of resolution and the Transition Teams have been replaced by the Resource Management Boards, which were established July 9, 1996. These boards now have, for purposes of law, all the powers and duties described in the NLCA. The Panel will continue to fulfil its role as described in Article 37.3 of the Agreement.

    Toward the end of this reporting period, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated advised t hat Simona Arnatsiaq-Barnes would be replaced as a Panel member. Ms. Arnatsiaq-Barnes' contributions are appreciated by her colleagues on the Panel, as well as by the implementing organizations.

Members of the Nunavut Implementation Panel:

• A capital transfer payment of $84,825,841 was made by the Government of Canada to the Nunavut Trust on May 25, 1996, the third anniversary of the signing of the Nunavut Final Agreement.
  
  
• Three Resource Management Boards were established, effective July 9, 1996. These boards are the Nunavut Planning Commission, the Nunavut Impact Review Board and the Nunavut Water Board. The following members were appointed at that time:
  
  
  • Nunavut Planning Commission: Loseeosee Aipellee, Bob Aknavigak, Bob Lyall, Jobie Nutaraq, Louis Pilakapsi, Akalayok Qavavau, Peter Suwaksiork, and Ronald Tologanak.
    
    
  • Nunavut Impact Review Board: Leona Aglukkaq, Larry Aknavigak, Ruby Arngna'naaq, Elizabeth Copland, David Iqaqrialu, Henry Kablalik, Ludy Pudluk, and Kane Tologanak.
    
    
  • Nunavut Water Board: Frank Ipakohak, Peter Kattuk, Thomas Kudloo, David Oolooyuk, Rose Okpik, George Porter, Kono Tattuinee, and Allan Woodhouse.
    
    
• The Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development appointed Larry Aknavigak as Chairperson of the Nunavut Impact Review Board, Thomas Kudloo as Chairperson of the Nunavut Water Board and Bob Lyall as Chairperson of the Nunavut Planning Commission in the fall of 1996.
  
  
• The Territorial Government appointed Duncan Cunningham to the Nunavut Impact Review Board and Harry Flaherty to the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board in January 1997.
  
  
• In accordance with Article 23 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement:
  
  
  • all required federal government departments prepared and posted
    
    
  • their Inuit Employment Plans;
    
    
  • all required departments of the
    
    
  • Territorial Government completed
    
    
  • the development of limit
    
    
  • Employment Plans, which were
    
    
  • posted throughout the Nunavut Settlement Area in July 1996,
    
    
  • including translated versions.
    
    
• The second annual Implementation Co-ordinators Workshop was held in Cambridge Bay, October 8 to 10, 1996. This workshop, attended by representatives of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and both governments, provided an opportunity for those directly involved in the implementation of the Agreement to meet and identity common areas of concern for discussion and resolution.
  
  
• A total of 24 Inuit graduates have completed the Community Land Administrator Certificate Program through Nunavut Arctic College. This program continues to be supported by the Territorial Governments Department of Municipal and Community Affairs.
  
  
• The Nunavut Implementation Training Committee completed a framework for its implementation training plan. The plan was submitted and accepted by the Nunavut Implementation Panel in December 1996.
  
  

In accordance with Article 37 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, the Implementation band's primary role is to oversee and provide direction on the implementation of the Agreement. In 1996-97, Panel membership included Simona Arnatsiaq-Barnes and Tagak Curley representing the Nunaviit Tunngavik Incorporated, Mark Warren representing the Territorial Government, and Terry Henderson representing Canada.

During the period covered by this report, the Panel:

• held four meetings, one each in Yellowknife, Winnipeg and Ottawa, and one by conference call;
  
  
• heard presentations by the Transition Teams, federal government departments and the Nunavut Implementation Training Committee;
  
  
• authorized reallocations with respect to the available implementation funds for the Nunavut Water Board, the Nunavut Impact Review Board, the Nunavut Planning Commission, the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and the Surface Rights Tribunal as identified in Schedule 2, Part I, of the Implementation Contract:
  
  
• promoted the second annual meeting of Implementation Coordinators which brought together participants from the three parties to discuss the communications aspect of implementing the Agreement:
  
  
• oversaw the production of the 1995-96 annual report on the implementation of the Agreement;
  
  
• provided direction to the Implementation Panel Working Group (this group continued to work on. and in many cases, resolve implementation issues prior to submission to the Implementation Panel);
  
  
• accepted the Implementation Training Plan submitted by the Nunavut Implementation Training Committee;
  
  
• worked on clarifying the implementation of Article 24 on government contracting; and
  
  
• assisted the Territorial Government in its work to expedite the transfer of land to individual communities in Nunavut.
  
  

In its capacity as the Inuit party implementing the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, as the beneficiary of the Nunavut Trust and through its appointments to the Implementation Panel, the Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NT1) together with other Inuit bodies continued to be active in implementing the terms of the Agreement.

Implementation Planning and Designation Process

NTI continued the process of implementation planning and designation of Inuit organizations to take on specific responsibilities under the Agreement.

NTI established a process for designation, working closely with the Regional Inuit Organizations (RIOs): the Kitikmeot Inuit Association, the Kivalliq Inuit Association, the Qikiqtan Inuit Association and other Inuit organizations that wish to take on responsibilities under the Agreement. The process for designation, detailed in the NTI manual How to Become a DIO, includes NTI assistance to organizations seeking designation, review of any designation applications for compliance with the requirements of a Designated Inuit Organization (DIO) set out in Article 39 of the Agreement and presentation to, and approval by, the board of directors of NTI.

NTI established, and is maintaining, the record of DIOs required by Article 39.1.5 of the Agreement. By March 1997,68 designations of a specific power, function or authority under the Agreement had been made, mostly to Regional Inuit Organizations. Other Inuit organizations, including Nunavut Trust and Regional Wildlife Organizations, have also been designated. They include, but are not limited to, the designation of:

• the RIOs to hold fee simple surface estate in all Inuit Owned Lands located in each of their regions while NTI holds the fee simple title to all mines and minerals within, on or under Inuit Owned Lands held in the form referred to in Article 19.2.1 (a) of the Agreement;
  
  
• the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (formerly the Baffin Region Inuit Association) to negotiate and conclude an Inuit Impact and Benefit
  
  
• Agreement (HBA) with reference to Auyuittuq, Ellesmere Island and North Baffin national parks;
  
  
• the Kivalliq Inuit Association to negotiate and conclude an IIBA regarding the proposed Wager Bay National Park: and
  
  
• the Regional Wildlife Organization (RWO) to conduct the Nunavut Wildlife Harvest Study under contract with the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board.
  
  

Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreements

The Qikitqani Inuit Association, as the DIO, continued its negotiations with Parks Canada aimed at completing an Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement (IIBA) for the Auyuittuq, Ellesmere Island and North Baffin national parks.

In its status as the DIO, the Kivalliq Inuit Association began negotiations for an IIBA in relation to the proposed Wager Bay National Park.

Each of the RIOs has been named as the DIO within its respective region, for the powers, functions and authorities detailed in Article 26 of the Agreement concerning the negotiation and conclusion of IIBAs in relation to major development projects. The Kitikmeot Inuit Association completed negotiations and signed an IIBA for the Ulu Project with Echo Bay Mines Ltd.

Institutions of Public Government

During 1996-97, NTI continued to be involved in consultations regarding the legislation, pursuant to Article 10.2.1 of the Agreement, necessary to describe the substantive powers, functions, objectives and duties of the Surface Rights Tribunal, the Nunavut Impact Review Board. the Nunavut Planning Commission and the Nunavut Water Board.

While there were extensive meetings and discussions regarding the legislation on the Surface Rights Tribunal, NTI remained concerned about a number of issues. Specifically, the proposed limits on the liability of the Minister appear to be inadequate and neither justifiable nor consistent with the spirit and intent of the Agreement. Further consultations on this and other areas of disagreement were scheduled.

Working with the Government of Canada, NTI agreed to a process for the development of legislation relating to the Nunavut Impact Review Board, the Nunavut Planning Commission and the Nunavut Water Board. NTI maintained that no draft legislation should be prepared without consultation. However, the Government of Canada drafted legislation before this consultation with NTI. In spite of this difficult start and in view of the need to have the Nunavut Water Board legislation passed as quickly as possible, NTI entered consultations in relation to the Nunavut Water Board legislation based on the draft prepared by the Government of Canada.

After a series of meetings, NTI concluded that the proposed Water Board legislation was not consistent with the Agreement. The concerns of NTI were so extensive that NTI wrote to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development asking that the proposed Nunavut Waters Bill not be introduced. Following the Bill's introduction, NTI made an extensive presentation to the Standing Committee of the House of Commons on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Affairs regarding NTI's concerns.

NTI continued to have a number of concerns about the preparation of these pieces of implementing legislation, including:

• the process of consultation; and
  
  
• the commitment of the Government of Canada to incorporate into the implementing legislation the legitimate and genuine concerns of lnuit regarding the consistency of that legislation with the Agreement.
  
  

Despite those concerns, NTI remained committed to a consultation process that would ensure the effective participation of NTI in the develop ment of this legislation.

NTI brought to the Panel the matter of the location of the head office of the Nunavut Planning Commission (NPC). Article 11.4.2 of the Agreement provides that the head office of the NPC be located in the Nunavut Settlement Area. The NPC maintains offices in Ottawa where most of its work is completed, since the executive director and planners work from there. The Nunavut Planning Commission responded to NTI and other Inuit organizations, and referred to a plan to move the office north over the next few years. NTI was concerned that this was not consistent with the spirit and intent of the Agreement, that the work of the Nunavut Planning Commission be carried out primarily in the Nunavut Settlement Area.

Business Development

As required by Article 24.7.1 of the Agreement, NTI established and maintains a list of lnuit firms. In 1996-97, there were 175 firms on the list, with a further 60 applications. NTI awaited the provision of further information from the applicants before proceeding.

Throughout the year, NTI worked hard to ensure that both the Territorial Government and the Government of Canada complied with their obligations under Article 24 of the Agreement. A major accomplishment was the agreement, at a staff level, with the Territorial Government on a process to implement Article 24 regarding that government's contracting policies and procedures. NTI was concerned about the delay in the Territorial Government's formal approval of the agreed-on process of implementation.

Another major accomplishment in business development was the partnership between the Government of Canada and Inuit regarding the construction and ownership of the infrastructure requirements of the Nunavut Government. This arrangement allows for the maximum involvement of Inuit in the construction and ownership of the infrastructure, and not only meets but, in some aspects, exceeds the requirements of Article 24 of the Agreement.

Enrolment

NTI continued in its efforts to ensure all eligible Inuit are enroled under the Agreement. In I 996-97, there were approximately 2020,000 Inuit on the limit Enrolment List maintained in NTI's Rankin Inlet office. The issue of enrolment cards is still being considered.

Land Management

Following the designations made by the Board of Directors of NTI, Inuit- Owned surface lands are managed by the Regional Inuit Organizations while the sub-surface of Inuit Owned Lands is managed by NTI. NTI and the RIOs have adopted, and submitted to the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development for response, a Code for Expedited Access to Inuit Owned Lands pursuant to Article 21.7.9 of the Agreement. By March 1997, the NTI Lands Department had issued 44 prospecting licences to Inuit Owned sub-surface lands and 51 concession agreements.

Inuit Heritage Trust Incorporated

The Inuit Heritage Trust (IHT) plays a lead role in the management of archaeological sites and resources in the Nunavut Settlement Area. In 1996-97 the IHT reviewed 1 6 premit applications for archaeological field research in Nunavut, and facilitated an oral history project.

Other IHT activities included:

• review of Baffin Region Inuit Association's IIBA proposal;
  
  
• a workshop on sacred and spiritual places;
  
  
• participation in a meeting on environmental assessment and monitoring in Nunavut (Nunavut Research Institute):
  
  
• the review of a proposal for renaming Hudson Bay and associated waters as "Canada Sea";
  
  
• production of archaeology posters with support of the Department of Canadian Heritage; and
  
  
• a presentation at the Canadian Archaeological Association's Annual General Meeting (Canadian Arctic Working Group Session).
  
  

Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs

During 1996-97, the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs continued to work closely with parties to the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement and various implementing bodies established by the Agreement. The Ministry coordinated the implementation activities of all Territorial Government (TG) departments and reported on the status of those activities. Senior Ministry officials participated in meetings of the Nunavut Implementation Panel and the Panel's Working Group.

Article 23 addresses Inuit employment within federal and territorial governments and required each department of the TG to prepare an Inuit Employment Plan by July 9, 1996. The goal is to increase and maintain the employment of Inuit at a level representing the Inuit proportion of the work force in the Nunavut Settlement Area. The Ministry assisted the Department of Education, Culture and Employment in the overall co-ordination of these departmental plans. In July 1996, the completed TG limit Employment Plan, includeing translated versions, was posted in TG offices throughout the Nunavut Settlement Area.

Article 14 requires municipal lands be transferred to individual community governments in the Nunavut Settlement Area. The Ministry participated in a working group with the departments of Municipal and Community Affairs and of Justice to ensure these municipal lands are transferred as expeditiously as possible.

On August 16, 1996, the former departments of Renewable Resources, Economic Development and Tourism, and Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources were amalgamated into the new Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (RWED). This consolidation was an exercise in fiscal restraint, departmental restructuring and streamlining. Those implementation activities identified for the former individual departments have been assumed by the new department.

The Ministry, RWED and the Department of Justice jointly developed a draft Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement (IIUA). Article 8 requires an IIUA be developed for all territorial parks in the Nunavut Settlement Area. This document will be reviewed by TG! officials prior to presentation to Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.

The Ministry worked with land and water board transition teams and when these new Institutions of Public Government were established pursuant to Article 10 on July 9, 1996, ensured the TG's appointees were in place. The TG also nominated members for appointment to the boards, by the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

Officials from the Ministry represented the TG in discussions of the draft legislation for the new Institutions of Public Government, and provided assistance to these Institutions as they are currently functioning in the absence of specific legislation.

The Ministry continued to meet with representatives of each department on a regular basis to share information, resolve issues and report on implementation activities.

Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development

The Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (RWED) continued to provide support and advice to the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board (NWMB), Regional Wildlife Organizations (RWOs) and local Hunters and Trappers Organizations (HTOs). Regional land claims co-ordinators continued to work actively with RWOs and local HTOs and several Inuit associations on various projects related to renewable resource harvesting and resource development, and assisted them on administrative matters.

Several co-operative wildlife research and management projects were conducted with support from the NWMB in 1996-97. Funding provided by NWMB is in brackets.

• Polar bear population inventory and management, Lancaster Sound ($101,000). Field work has been completed and the results have been provided to the NWMB. The results indicated an additional field season in the spring of 1997 was needed to provide a precise estimate of the number of polar bears in the study area.
  
  
• Herd identification and seasonal movements of caribou east of Bathurst Inlet ($30,000). Five satellite collars were deployed on caribou in the spring of 1996. Movement of these animals will be monitored until the spring of 1998. A progress report and regular updates on the caribou movements were provided to NWMB.
  
  
• Wolverine ecology, distribution and productivity in the Slave Geological Province ($24,000). This project began in March 1996, and a progress report was provided to NWMB in January 1997.
  
  
• The Akiliniq Planning Committee completed the Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary Management Plan in December 1996. The plan will be translated and provided to NTI, Kivalliq Inuit Association and the NWMB for comment before being presented to government.
  
  

With the assistance of the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs and the Department of Justice, RWED developed a draft IIBA for territorial parks within the Nunavut Settlement Area, as required under Article 8. The draft is to be reviewed within RWED prior to presentation and negotiations with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.

RWED continued to work in close co-operation and consultation with each individual Nunavut community to support the shared objective of encouraging employment opportunities and economic selfsufficiency within the Nunavut Settlement Area. The department provided support to assist Nunavut businesses and individuals to get financing from its programs and from other government and private sources.

Department of Municipal and Community Affairs

The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) continued to implement its responsibilities under the Nunavut Final Agreement during 1996-97, especially with regard to Article 14, the conveyance of municipal lands to Nunavut municipalities.

Departmental staff were extensively engaged in preparing all land transfer documents for municipal lots so the titles can be registered at the Land Titles Office when the bylaws of a community are finalized. The land turnovers were substantially complete in some communities (Baker Lake, Arviat, and Iqaluit). By the end of March 1997, 1,023 titles had been created for Nunavut municipalities.

MACA staff conducted a number of regional and community workshops to assist municipalities in processing the necessary by-laws for the land turnovers. Particular emphasis was placed on helping communities prepare their land administration by-law, which outlines the local rules and procedures for administering municipal lands. The by-law process also involves consulting with community residents through a public hearing, and MACA staff were able to participate in a number of these meetings.

MACA continued to sponsor training programs for municipal land administrators in 1996-1997. The second class of students from the Community Land Administrator Certificate Program graduated from Nunavut Arctic College (Rankin Inlet campus) in December 1996. This brings the number of Inuit graduates from this program to a total of 24. MACA also continued with support and training for all of the students, including the graduates from years one and two.

Economic Activity and Employment

The federal government continued to implement the objectives of Article 23 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement to increase Inuit participation in government employment to a representative level in the Nunavut Settlement Area. Activities included the completion and posting of lnuit Employment Plans by the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Human Resources Development Canada, Public Works and Government Services Canada, and the departments of Fisheries and Oceans, Justice Canada and Canadian Heritage.

Human Resources Development Canada (HKDC) also completed the [unit Labour Force Analysis and devolved its labour market initiatives to Inuit authorities in the Nunavut Region. Regional bilateral agreements devolved the following funds: Consolidated Revenue Funding, Employment Insurance Part II Funds, and Operations and Maintenance/Administrative funding. The agreements also include the potential transfer of HRDC responsibilities to Inuit communities. These regional bilateral agreements are in place until March 31, 1999, and subject to annual reviews.

More than 15 limit businesses attended a supplier awareness seminar in Cambridge Bay in June 1996 as part of the federal government's effort to enable Inuit firms to compete for government contracts in accordance with Article 24. The seminar was customized for limit businesses by Public Works and Government Services Canada's Centre for Client and Supplier Promotion. It was the first of its kind to combine several aspects of federal procurement and to be delivered co-operatively with an Aboriginal organization, the Kitikmeot limit Association.

Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) continued to notify NTI of procurement opportunities in the Nunavut Settlement Area, advertised these opportunities on the Open Bidding Service and provided information to new firms registered with the Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. limit Firm Registry. PWCSC also refined its Supply Manual to reflect the procedures put in place to meet its obligations under the Agreement.

Parks Canada applied the contracting provisions outlined in Article 24 of the Agreement mostly through contracts for operation, maintenance and services for Auyuittuq and Ellesmere Island National Park Reserves.

The first Inuit Impact and Benefits Agreement (IIBA) between the Kitikmeot Inuit Association and Echo Bay Mines was submitted to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. After an assessment by DIAND, the Minister confirmed conformance with Article 26 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.

Environmental and Wildlife Management

The objectives of Article 5 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement are to create a system of harvesting right: priorities and privileges, and a wildlife management system.

Environment Canada continued to fulfil its implementation obligations relating to the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board (NWMB). A member of the department is on the NWMB. A summary of Environment Canada's wildlife research in Nunavut was presented to NWMB and is listed in its report.

NTI and Inuit organizations were part of the discussions and negotiations that led to a revision of the Migratory Birds Convention, as well as other initiatives of Environment Canada that could have an impact on Inuit. Environment Canada incorporated recommendations made by the NWMB to revise the Canadian Endangered Species Act.

Environment Canada sought NWMB approval, which was granted, for the proposed boundaries and establishment of two national wildlife areas, Nirjutiqavvik (Coburg Island) and Igalirtuuq (Isabella Bay). Both have informal co-management committees guiding the process of formally designating Igalirtuuq a national wildlife area and for the ongoing management of Nirjutiqavvik, which was established in 1995.

Since the Designated Inuit Organization (DIO) assignments had not all been made, work could not begin on IlBAs for Igalirtuuq, Nirjutiqavvik or other conservation areas administered by the Canadian Wildlife Service.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) continued to work closely with the NWMB and the three Regional Wildlife Organizations on clarifying roles and responsibilities under the Agreement. DFO also participated in meetings of the Nunavut Impact Review Board, the Nunavut Water Board and the Nunavut Planning Commission.

With existing resources augmented by DFO's implementation funds and NWMB research funds, DFO addressed some fisheries management concerns identified co-operatively with various Hunters and Trappers Organizations through the NWMB. DFO and the NWMB continued to develop priorities for fisheries management, stock assessment and research. Co-operative efforts focused activities on Arctic charr in the Kitikmeot and Keewatin regions, and on Arctic charr, Greenland halibut (turbot), beluga and bowhead whales and walruses in the Baffin Region.

DFO co-ordinated the NWMB's participation in the Canada-Greenland Joint Commission on Beluga and Narwhal. Co-operative scientific research between Canada and Greenland continued on the Baffin Bay beluga stock. DFO continued to advise the NWMB on national and international matters, such as the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, the International Whaling Commission, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, the North Atlantic Fisheries Organization and others.

Two new resource harvest programs were carried out:

1. Bowhead

   A total allowable harvest of one bowhead was established by the NWMB in 1996. The NWMB provided input and approved the management plan developed by DFO. One bowhead was harvested under a DFO licence in Repulse Bay in 1996. In late 1996, the NWMB set a total allowable harvest of one bowhead whale for 1997 or 1998. The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans accepted the NWMB's recommendation.

   
   
   

2. Walrus Sport Hunting

   DFO continued to support and work with the NWMB in the participation of several communities in a pilot walrus sport hunt. The NWMB and DFO co-operatively developed a harvest plan and the overall management plan.

   While the Canadian Coast Guard has no direct responsibilities in the implementation of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, it has residual responsibilities in providing support for marine transportation matters to all committees and boards created under the claim.

   Coast Guard representatives attended the Lancaster Sound Nunavut Planning Commission meetings in Pond Inlet and will submit an update of the Marine Transportation Article to the Commission for inclusion in the Lancaster Sound Regional Land Use Plan.

   More than 40 Coast Guard employees attended a two-day Aboriginal Awareness Seminar. The seminar provided an understanding of Inuit history and issues, as well as direction on procurement and employment policies to be followed according to the Agreement.

   
   
   

Heritage

Article 8 of the Agreement provides for the establishment of the Auyuittuq and the Ellesmere Island National Park Reserves as full national parks and for the establishment of a national park on Northern Baffin Island. The federal government and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association continued negotiation of an IIBA for these three parks. On September 17, 1996, the deadline for conclusion of the IIBAs for Ellesmere Island and Auyuittuq national parks was extended to July 9, 1997 through an amendment to the Agreement and the Implementation Contract.

In October 1996, with the support of local communities, Regional Inuit Organizations and the Territorial Government, the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development withdrew lands under the Territorial Lands Act for proposed national parks at Wager Bay and Northern Bathurst Island. As is the case with the 1995 withdrawal of lands around Bluenose Lake for the Nunavut Settlement Area addition to the Tuktu Nogait National Park, these land withdrawals are for a period of three years pending conclusion of IIBAs. The federal government and the Kivalliq Inuit Association have initiated IIBA negotiations on the Wager Bay national park proposal. Community consultations and feasibility studies continued for the Bluenose Lake and Northern Bathurst Island proposals.

Oral histories in support of national park and national historic site initiatives were undertaken in the vicinity of Northern Foxe Basin, Thelon River, Pond Inlet, Cirise Fiord, Pangnirtung, Broughton Island and Iqaluit. Consultations continued with the people of Arviat and Baker Lake in the development of management plans for the Arvia'jaq and Fall Caribou Crossing National Historic Sites near those communities.

In keeping with provisions of Article 33 of the Agreement, all archaeology permit applications for work in Nunavut national parks were submitted to the Inuit Heritage Trust. Three permits were processed and beneficiaries were employed as archaeologists and field assistants.

Land and Water Management

The Legal Surveys Division of Natural Resources Canada is responsible for surveying Inuit Owned Lands and land jointly owned with the Inuit of northern Quebec. This task involves the survey and demarcaion of approximately 1,155 parcels of Inuit Owned Lands, 12 parcels of jointly owned land and all Crown land excluded from these parcels.

By March 1997, approximately 311 percent of this area had been surveyed. Priorities for the 1997-98 survey program were determined by representatives of the Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and the Designated limit Organizations at a workshop hosted by the Legal Surveys Division in Yellowknife in October 1996.

Defence

The Department of National Defence (DND) continued to inform Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI), the Designated Inuit Organization, and Inuit communities of military training and exercises in the Nunavut Settlement Area.

DND's clean-up of closed Distant Early Warning (DEW) radar sites progressed with a schedule and clean-up protocol for 1 5 radar sites based on scientific research that recognizes the fragile nature of the Arctic ecosystems. NT1 did not support this clean-up protocol based on its interpretation of Article 24 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, stating lack of sufficient employment for Inuit and dissatisfaction with a number of environmental matters within the DND clean-up protocol. DND is waiting for an agreement before proceeding but continued the clean-up of the Cape Hooper site, agreed to by the parties as a test project.

Legislation

DIAND, in consultation with NTI and the Nunavut Water Board, developed and introduced the Nunavut Waters Bill to Parliament in June 1996. The Bill received second reading, and hearings were held with the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Affairs. However, DIAND and NTI disagreed about the role of government in the approval of water use in Nunavut.

NTI and DIAND agreed that no action would be taken at this time on the development of legislation for the Nunavut Impact Review Board and the Nunavut Planning Commission.

DIAND and NTI discussed further amendments to the Nunavut Surface Rights Tribunal Bill. Both parties continued to disagree over the role of government in the liability regime for wildlife compensation.

Federal Co-ordination of Implementation Activities

The Claims Implementation Branch of DIAND has responsibility for monitoring federal government activities to ensure Canada meets its obligations under the Agreement. The Branch is also responsible for funding arrangements with the Territorial Government and all implementing bodies established by the Agreement, as well as settlement payments to the Nunavut Trust.

During the reporting period, the Branch participated actively in all aspects of implementation of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement including:

• participation in a three-party working group organized to identify potential problems and solutions if legislation for the resource management boards was not in place by July 9, 1996 (the working group's report was considered by the Implementation Panel on July 4, 1996);
  
  
• participation in discussions concerning the preparation of legislation and the tabling in the House of Commons of the Nunavut Waters Bill in June 1996;
  
  
• obtaining Governor in Council approval, September 17, 1996, of amendments to the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement and the Implementation Contract (see Appendix 2);
  
  
• facilitating the appointment process of members to the newly established Nunavut Planning Commission, Nunavut Impact Review Board and Nunavut Water Board;
  
  
• consulting with all the implementing bodies from November to December 1996, to assess their funding requirements to year-end, and making recommendations to the Implementation Panel on the funding levels to be re-allocated to the fiscal year 1997-98;
  
  
• continuing support to the Implementation Panel which oversees, monitors and provides direction on the implementation of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, as well as participating on the Panel Working Group:
  
  
• participation in the Implementation Co-ordinators Workshop, in Cambridge Bay, which brought together officials from NTI, resource board members, the Government of Canada and the Territorial Government who are most involved in the implementation of the Agreement;
  
  
• participation in the clause-byclause review of the Implementation Contract;
  
  
• co-ordination of the preparation of the 1995-96 annual report; and
  
  
• maintaining regular contact with all federal government departments and agencies with respect to their implementation activities, intervening as necessary, and maintaining comprehensive implementation status reports on its automated Land Claims Obligations System
  
  

Federal Funding was provided during the reporting period as follows:

Nunavut Trust

• capital transfer payment (net of loan repayment) $84,825,841
  
  
• resource royalties 1,018,000
  
  

Government of the Northwest Territories

• to fulfil its responsibilities under the Implementation Contract 1,078,284
  
  
• land administration activities 816.781
  
  
• training for land administrators 13,699
  
  

Nunavut Water Board Transition Team
(April to July 1996)

• to fulfil its responsibilities under the Implementation Contract 611,619
  
  

Nunavut Water Board
(July 1996 - March 1997)

• 'to fulfil its responsibilities under the Implementation Contract 1,029,360
  
  

Nunavut Impact Review Board
Transition Team (April to July 1996)

• to fulfil its responsibilities under the Implementation Contract 627,899
  
  

Nunavut Impact Review Board
(July 1996 to March 1997)

• to fulfil its responsibilities under the Implementation Contract 1,552,717
  
  

Nunavut Planning Commission Transition Team
(April to July 1996)

• to fulfil its responsibilities under the Implementation Contract 570,500
  
  
• to fulfil its responsibilities under the Implementation Contract I 1,890,390 Arbitration Board
  
  
• to fulfil its responsibilities under the Implementation Contract 25,698
  
  

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Chapter 6 : Implementing Bodies

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Appendix 1: Glossary of Terms

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Appendix 2: Features of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement

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Appendix 3: Membership of Implementing Bodies (AS of March 31, 1997)

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Appendix 4: Amendments