Edmonton (July 26/04) - An Inuk man is waging a legal battle with the federal government to gain rights for Inuit living outside of Nunavut.

Unable to receive benefits under the Indian Act, Kiviaq, who changed his name from David Ward in 2001, says he's suffered losses amounting to $150,000.

"Right now we are nothing. We're not even defined in law in our own country," said Kiviaq, who lives in Edmonton.

Under the Indian Act, Canadians designated as native peoples qualify for benefits such as medical treatment, education grants, loans and special tax exemptions.

But "there is no legislation under which Inuit persons have the right to access equal equivalent benefits," Kiviaq said in a statement of claim filed with the court July 14. He named the minister of indian affairs and northern development and federal attorney general as defendants. "Inuit people have the right to access equal equivalent benefits," he said.

Inuit living in Nunavut are supportive, but some fear repercussions from the federal government, Kiviaq said.

"I don't blame them. If you've got a family to support what are you going to do?" Kiviaq said, noting the federal government provides most of the jobs in the territory.

Unsure why a similar suit has not been launched before, Kiviaq thinks it is time for the Inuit to get what he feels they deserve.

"They didn't bother to sign any treaty, they just moved in," he says of the French and British settlers' migration to the North. "They should either pay for the property they're taking or get the hell out of the Arctic."

But money alone will not solve the problem. "We need education, health care, all those things," he said.

Kiviaq also wants to make sure people know that the Inuit are also one of Canada's aboriginal peoples.

"Inuit are aboriginal. That's one thing that drives me up the wall," he said.