On February 21, 2013 the Kivalliq Inuit Association wrote to the Government of Nunavut, indicating that it does not support the nomination of the Back River for Canadian Heritage River status. The letter stated that the KIA opposes the heritage river designation because the KIA owns surface and subsurface rights to some parcels of land in the area that hold significant economic potential.
The KIA’s letter can be accessed here.
Moses Aupaluktuq, MLA for Baker Lake, raised the issue in Nunavut’s Legislative Assembly on March 18, 2013.
Bill 49 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2013-2014 – Environment
– Consideration in Committee
Mr. Aupaluktuq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On page 133 of the business plan, the
priorities for 2013-14, second bullet, correction, third bullet indicates complete
negotiations for an umbrella Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement for Canadian Heritage
Rivers in Nunavut. Followed by the fourth bullet with the support of residents of
Kugaaruk and Baker Lake, which would include Gjoa Haven, to develop formal
nomination development for Back River and present to the Canadian Heritage Rivers
board for consideration.
Can the minister update the Committee of the current status of the nomination of Back
River as a Canadian Heritage River? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Aupaluktuq. Minister Arreak.
Hon. James Arreak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Pinksen can
respond to his question. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Pinksen.
Mr. Pinksen: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The discussions are ongoing, but fairly recently
the Kivalliq Inuit Association raised a number of concerns with the nomination of Back
River. We have met with them just last month to discuss those concerns and those
discussions are ongoing.
The concerns related to possible impacts of a Heritage River nomination on development,
so we met with them just last month and those discussions are ongoing. We are still
pursuing the designation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Pinksen. Mr. Aupaluktuq.
Mr. Aupaluktuq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the fact that the department
does acknowledge that there was a letter submitted from the Kivalliq Inuit Association
stating that they do not support the nomination of Back River, “that it has significant
economic potential.”
There is some confusion from constituents as well as the process on, as well, from
myself, that the priorities and as well as an opening comment prior that the environmental
concerns is for the benefit and the protection of Inuit in Nunavut under their land claim
agreement.
It appears to be that the regional Inuit organization opposes this, based on the benefits of
significant economic potential. In noting that the letter was received and the department
has indicated that they are still ongoing with the nomination of Back River, I am glad that
that was documented for the record.
I want to ask; has the department received any other such letter from any other Inuit
representatives on the nomination? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Aupaluktuq. Minister Arreak.
Hon. James Arreak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To date, we have not
received any further correspondence aside from the Kivalliq Inuit Association. They are
the only ones we have received correspondence from on this matter. Thank you, Mr.
Chairman.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Arreak. Mr. Aupaluktuq.
Mr. Aupaluktuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I definitely will be
consulting with my Baker Lake constituents in the hopes of resolving this issue and help
them gain a full understanding. We will need to learn all the facts involved to come up
with a solution, and to determine whether there will be sufficient support for the
nominations.
Nunavummiut Makitagunarningit 