December 21, 1976

The Inuvialuit of the western Arctic left the Nunavut land claim process in 1976 to negotiate their own claim. But they still remained open to having their region become part of Nunavut after division.

COPE goes for separate land claims talks

Nunatsiaq News

IQALUIT — Inuit of the western Arctic will proceed with their own regional land claim proposal immediately, announced James Arvaluk, president of the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada.

Arvaluk made the announcement on December 21 in Ottawa. Arvaluk and Sam Raddi, president of the Committee for Original People's Entitlement (COPE), met with Indian Affairs Minister Warren Allmand to advise him of their decision.

The announcement marks a diversion from the approach of settling land claims in the North. COPE, a regional affiliate of ITC, represents the Inuit of the western Arctic.

The rationale to proceed with an immediate western Arctic land claim comes in light of pressure to begin oil and gas exploration and development, such as the proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline.

Western Inuit want an agreement with Ottawa to preserve their traditional lands and resources while there is still time.

ITC continues to consult with Inuit in other regions of the Northwest Territories to determine what they want to be included in a revised proposal, which will be presented to the federal cabinet.

In a letter to Allmand, Arvaluk stated that ITC and COPE are "mutually supportive in respect to Inuit land claims and there is no conflict between the two organizations. However, there is a necessity for the western Arctic to negotiate a settlement within a shorter time span than is required by the people of the central and eastern Arctic."