Nunavut, Canada
Tourism Information
Nunavut means our land in Inuktitut, the language of the
Inuit. It is a name that reflects the simple purity of this
spectacular arctic landscape, while quietly beckoning
visitors to explore and discover its many unique wonders.
Canada added a new chapter to its fascinating history when,
on April 1, 1999, Nunavut became its largest and newest
territory. Formed from the eastern part of the Northwest
Territories, Nunavut is the result of more than 20 years of
negotiations and planning by the Inuit of the Eastern and
Central Arctic. As the people of Nunavut look to their
future as Canada's newest territory, they carry with them a
long and proud past. It is a past that chronicles two
histories and the meeting and merging of two worlds.
Nunavut's first history is that of the Inuit and their
ancient ancestors who first migrated to the Arctic some 5000
years ago. This history is captured in stories, songs and
traditions, passed on verbally through countless generations
and only recently recorded in print and other media.
The second is the history the Inuit share with the qallanaaq
(people of European origin) – the explorers who came in
search of the Northwest Passage and the whalers and traders
who came in search of wealth and adventure. The Inuit were
of great assistance to these newcomers; guiding them,
hunting for them, sharing resources and showing them the
Inuit way to help them survive in a new land and as a result
have forged a shared history that is the essence of all that
is Nunavut.
Immerse yourself in the history of this land with the help
of an Inuit guide, whether it's tales of ancestors who
risked their lives in small skin boats hunting whale in ice
packed waters, accounts of the Tariassuit (shadow people),
or enchanting memories of lives lived in close-knit Inuit
communities. Explore Belanger Rapids and Wilberforce Falls
to learn about the hardships of the Franklin expedition.
From the shores of Simpson Straight, see where Roald
Amundsen sailed his little Gjoa through ice and rock-choked
waters in 1905 to secure his place in history for piloting
the first ship through the Northwest Passage. Visit Marble
Island, where the James Knight expedition mysteriously
disappeared, or trace the inland route of Knud Rasmussen and
the 5th Thule Expedition. The Inuit tradition of oral
history remains vibrant, and there is almost always someone
willing to share their stories with you.
Time Zones
Nunavut has three time zones. Baffin operates on Eastern Standard Time; the Kivalliq and Kitikmeot on Central Standard, and the Kitikmeot (from Cambridge Bay west) on Mountain Standard Time.