NR 04-18 CLI ENG Climate Change Report Issued.doc

(May 19, 2004 – Cambridge Bay, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. 1st Vice-President James Eetoolook today released the Final Report on the Elders’ Conference on Climate Change in Nunavut.

Eighteen Inuit Elders from across Nunavut gathered in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, in 2001 to discuss their observations on the impact of climate change and global warming on Nunavut’s environment. This report is a specific recording of the details the Elders discussed during that meeting.

Representatives from NTI, the Government of Nunavut, the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, the Regional Inuit Associations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the Nunavut Planning Commission and the Nunavut Impact Review Board also participated in the conference.

Climate change and the effect it has on our land, oceans and animals is always on our minds as Inuit. The objective of the conference was to gather to discuss Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and how it relates to Elders’ observations of our rapidly changing environment, said Eetoolook.

Our Elders concluded that we must begin to pass on our knowledge about the way the environment has changed in recent years to ensure that our younger generations remain safe as they pursue traditional activities on the land and the water, said Eetoolook.

The Final Report will be distributed in Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut and English to the participating Elders and to governments, Inuit organizations and various environmental groups in Nunavut.

Eetoolook will host a luncheon with Elders, following the release of the Report.

Copies of the Report are also available from the NTI office in Cambridge Bay.

For further information:

Kerry McCluskey
Director of Communications
Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated
Tel: (867) 975-4914
Cell: (867) 975-1337