Tunngavik Federation of Nunavut facts for kids
The Tunngavik Federation of Nunavut (TFN) was a special organization in Canada. It represented the Inuit people of what is now Nunavut. Back then, this area was part of the Northwest Territories. From 1982 to 1993, TFN worked to negotiate important agreements. These agreements were about land claims and treaties for the Inuit. TFN took over this job from another group called Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. Later, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated took over from TFN.
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The Tunngavik Federation of Nunavut, or TFN, was a group created to help the Inuit. The Inuit are the Indigenous people who live in the Arctic regions of Canada. TFN's main goal was to get a fair agreement for the Inuit's land. This agreement would recognize their rights to the land and its resources.
Why Was TFN Formed?
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Inuit people started to become more active in politics. They wanted more control over the natural resources on their traditional lands. This led to many young Inuit leaders stepping forward. They connected with each other across the Northwest Territories, Quebec, and Labrador.
In 1982, the Tunngavik Federation of Nunavut was officially formed. Its job was to negotiate land claims for the Inuit. Before TFN, the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami had this responsibility. TFN was created specifically to focus on the land claim for the Nunavut region.
TFN worked for ten years to reach an agreement. In September 1992, they finally reached a deal with the government of Canada. This was a huge step!
In November 1992, the Nunavut Final Agreement was put to a vote. Almost 85% of the Inuit in Nunavut approved it. This showed strong support for the agreement.
The final step happened on May 25, 1993. The Nunavut Land Claims Agreement was signed in Iqaluit. Brian Mulroney, who was the Prime Minister of Canada, signed it. Paul Quassa, the president of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, also signed. Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated took over from TFN after the agreement was approved.
The Parliament of Canada then passed laws in June 1993 to support the agreement. These laws made it possible for Nunavut to become a new territory. This land claims agreement was the result of 20 years of talks. It led to the largest land claims settlement in Canada's history. It created Nunavut, which is now a large and important part of Canada.
