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Nunavut, meaning “our land” in Inuktitut, was established in 1999 from the eastern part of the Northwest
Territories, including all of the former District of Keewatin. The capital is Iqaluit, formerly Frobisher Bay,
named after the English explorer Martin Frobisher, who penetrated the uncharted Arctic for Queen
Elizabeth I in 1576. The 19-member Legislative Assembly chooses a premier and ministers by consensus.
The population is about 85% Inuit, and Inuktitut is an official language and the first language in schools.
Nunavut
The Canadian Rangers
Canada’s vast North brings security and sovereignty challenges. Dealing with harsh weather conditions
in an isolated region, the Canadian Rangers, part of the Canadian Forces Reserves (militia), play a key
role. Drawing on indigenous knowledge and experience, the Rangers travel by snowmobile in the winter
and all-terrain vehicles in the summer from Resolute to the Magnetic North Pole, and keep the flag flying
in Canada’s Arctic.
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Discover Canada
(From Left to Right)
An Inuit boy in Sanikiluaq, Nunavut, uses a pellet gun to hunt for birds
The caribou (reindeer) is popular game for hunters and a symbol of Canada’s North