The Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) together with the Nunavut Planning Commission (NPC) are pleased to announce the completion of community consultations in the Qikiqtani Region.

QIA President Okalik Eegeesiak stated, “We look forward to seeing the Draft Land Use Plan as it will be a critical component of QIA’s efforts in ensuring that the use of Inuit Owned Lands and all lands within the region are consistent with the values and wishes of Inuit.

“On behalf of the NPC, I am excited and pleased that we have finished visiting the Qikiqtani communities to meet with beneficiaries on the Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan as it relates to the Qikiqtani region. “The implementation of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement is paramount and as we heard from all the Qikiqtani and Nunavik Communities this has been a long time coming and this is exactly what Nunavut needs is a solid Nunavut Land Use Plan,” said NPC Chairperson, Paul Quassa.

The NPC has been actively seeking input and feedback from communities on the Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan since November 2012. This important community consultation on the land use planning process in the Qikiqtani region marks the completion of the first phase of NPC’s work. In June of 2013 the NPC completed the community consultation and follow up visits with communities in the Qikiqtani Region and will continue the community consultation process on this milestone document in October 2013 in the Kivalliq Region.

The Nunavut Land Claims Agreement established the NPC with the responsibility to formulate a single land use plan for the Nunavut Settlement Area (NSA). No other jurisdiction in the world has ever undertaken such a momentous task over such a vast and diverse territory.

The plan will guide and direct resource use and development in the NSA by providing for the conservation, development, management and use of land, fresh water, marine areas and wildlife. These land use planning decisions will promote the well-being of Inuit by protecting, and where necessary, restoring the environmental integrity of the NSA.

This important milestone is being spearheaded under the leadership of the Commission Chairperson Mr. Paul Quassa and a small dedicated team of professionals. This team hosted well-attended public meetings and the feedback being collected will be used to guide changes to the draft land use plan. The participation of Inuit in this process ensures the priorities and values of residents are reflected in the final land use plan.

The Draft Plan, background documents and schedules are available on the Nunavut Planning Commission website, www.nunavut.ca.

Media Contact:

Mr. Paul Quassa
Chairperson
Nunavut Planning Commission
867 983 4625
pquassa@nunavut.ca

Sharon Ehaloak
Executive Director
Nunavut Planning Commission
(867) 983-4625
sehaloak@nunavut.ca

David Joanasie
A/Director of Communications
Qikiqtani Inuit Association
(897) 975-8414

djoanasie@qia.ca