The 1999 Nunavut Handbook

Monika Rohlmann is an environmental consultant in Yellowknife, Northwest
Territories.

Nunavut, which means “our land,” refers to Canada’s newest
Territory in the eastern Arctic. In April 1999, Nunavut received federal
assent to become its own territory, governed by a predominantly Inuit
population. Nunavut is inhabited by 25,000 people in 28 communities
scattered across a vast, roadless landscape of 1.9 million square
kilometres.

The 1999 Nunavut Handbook is divided into two major parts: general
geographic/cultural information and community information. The first
part includes detailed chapters on Nunavut’s people, art, music, land,
and wildlife; chapters on trip planning, travel, and outdoor activities
providing information about everything from bug repellant to all-terrain
vehicles (ATVs are Nunavut’s most popular mode of travel next to the
snowmobile); and, for the business traveler, a section on doing business
in Nunavut and a listing of common Inuktitut phrases.

The 11 chapters that make up the second half of the book are devoted to
the major regions of Nunavut. Each chapter reviews a number of
communities and follows a consistent format: local history; land and
wildlife notes; accommodations; restaurants; tours; shopping; and
services such as banking, library access, taxis, and snowmobile/ATV
rental.

This compact and comprehensive handbook is a must-have for anyone
traveling in the region as well as for those interested in learning
about Canada’s newest territory.