Jennifer McPhee
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (May 27/02) - Inuit organizations signed a territorial parks agreement with the government of Nunavut this month.

Premier Paul Okalik and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. President Cathy Towtongie signed the agreement earlier this month. - Jennifer McPhee/NNSL photo

Under the Inuit Impact and Benefits Agreement, Inuit will jointly manage parks with the territorial government.

"Now we have a working relationship between the government of Nunavut and Inuit," Kitikmeot Inuit Association president Charlie Evalik said at the signing ceremony May 13.

"It's an agreement we can all be proud of. I think our future leaders will be proud of this pact ... it's a historic occasion."

The legally-binding agreement applies to all existing and future territorial parks in Nunavut.

It guarantees Inuit rights for using, managing and protecting territorial parks.

For example, Inuit have the right to set up outpost camps, harvest wildlife and remove carving stone within the boundaries of a territorial park without paying taxes or fees.

And, among other things, the government will fund training programs, sponsor events, hire staff, and provide seed capital for Inuit business opportunities.

The 104-page agreement -- struck by the government, NTI and the three regional Inuit organizations -- is not available to the public yet.

It fulfils obligations of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. However, it is not considered part of the agreement and will be renegotiated every seven years.