Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada: Inuit

Created in partnership with the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the Assembly of First Nations, the Métis Nation, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and Indspire.

Since time immemorial, Inuit have lived and thrived in Inuit Nunangat, our homeland encompassing 36 per cent of Canada’s landmass and 50 per cent of its coastline. Inuit Nunangat as a geographic and political space is largely unknown to most Canadians.

The colonization of Inuit Nunangat took many forms between the 18th and early 20th century and this colonization by way of traders, missionaries, whalers and government was the genesis for a range of social and economic challenges that too many Inuit are still struggling with today. Inuit are a largely patriotic people who are proudly Indigenous but are also proud Canadians, yet we are still fighting to enjoy the same human rights enjoyed by the majority of our fellow Canadians.

We have the right to continue to exist and self-determine the future of our people on our terms. Achieving this goal relies on a shared understanding among our fellow Canadians that the outcome has been and will continue to be a stronger and more vibrant Canada. We also have the right to describe ourselves and our homeland through our language and our world view. In this time of reconciliation, we as Inuit are forcefully reclaiming our proper place as an Indigenous people in Canada by asserting Inuit self- determination through our language, our place names and our history. -- from the introduction by Natan Obed, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami