Document-Based Questions - Debra J. Housel, M.S. Ed. 2008

Nunavut, Land of the Inuit
Interesting Places

Nunavut* covers one-fifth of Canada. It became a new territory in 1999. This was done so that the Inuit (Native Americans) who live there could have a selfgoverning homeland. It also gave them more say in the Canadian government. The capital of Nunavut is Iqaluit. It’s the biggest town. About 3,600 people live there. They speak Inuktitut, French, and English.

Most of this land lies within the Arctic Circle. The area has long, cold winters and short, cool summers. It’s called the “Land of the Midnight Sun.” It is so close to the top of Earth that in June, there’s a month with no darkness. The sun shines even at midnight! Then, in December there is little or no sunlight. The darkness lasts for the whole month.

Tundra covers Nunavut. This means that much of the ground has permafrost. Each year just the top layer thaws. Permafrost keeps water from draining. This creates ponds and bogs. Willow shrubs, short grass, and mosses cover much of the land. These plants can do photosynthesis at low temperatures with long spells of daylight.

The northern part of Nunavut gets so little rain or snow that it is a polar desert! But the land has natural resources. These include diamonds, gold, silver, copper, iron, lead, nickel, and zinc. The harsh temperatures, permafrost, and lack of roads make it hard to mine these minerals. So most are untapped. Some companies are looking for oil.

The total population is 30,000. Most live near the coast of Hudson Bay and the Labrador Sea. The people’s way of life is slowly changing. Instead of being roaming seal hunters, many are taking jobs. Tourism is growing. Nunavut has the second biggest national park in Canada. It has mountains, glaciers, lakes, and lots of wildlife. Visitors hike, boat, and fish.

Children go to school through grade 12. The number of people who can read and write is rising. More people are completing high school. And the Nunavut Arctic College has five campuses. Thanks to computers, the people stay in touch with the outside world. Each town has phones, radio, and television. But no railroads serve the area. Based on the season, snowmobiles or planes move people and goods between towns. Food that comes from other places costs a lot. Milk is $7 a gallon, and an apple is $2!

*pronounced NOO nuh voot

Nunavut, Land of the Inuit

Nunavut Numbers

Knight’s Canadian Info Collection. “Nunavut and the Inuktitut Language.”

http://members.shaw.ca/kcic1/nunavut.html

Nunavut, Land of the Inuit

1. The capital of Nunavut is

a. Inuit.

b. Iqaluit.

c. Canada.

d. Inuktitut.

2. During which month of the year is the sun rarely seen in the sky over Nunavut?

a. March

b. June

c. September

d. December

3. What is something that Nunavut lacks?

a. highways

b. wildlife

c. natural resources

d. modern communications (phones, TVs)

4. In order to attend college, the people must leave Nunavut. True or False? Explain.

5. How many national parks are in Nunavut and who can hunt within them?

6. Would you prefer to visit Nunavut in January or July? Tell why.