(February 3, 2011 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. President Cathy Towtongie today announced that NTI has initiated planning for a monument to celebrate the significant achievements of the people involved in negotiating the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.

“On July 9, 2013, Nunavummiut will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the NLCA. To recognize this major landmark in Nunavut and Canadian history, NTI will commission a monument to commemorate the decades of tireless work of everyone who helped conceive, negotiate, and now implement the NLCA,” said Towtongie.

NTI will select one carver from each region of Nunavut to create the monument. Interested carvers may submit applications until March 31, 2011. An NTI selection committee will review applications and choose three carvers to work with a coordinator to plan and design the monument. The carvers will create their pieces in their home communities, and prior to unveiling the monument on July 9, 2013, will assemble and install it in front of the NTI office in Iqaluit. Each carver will also pick a youth apprentice to work on the monument.

NTI will select the artists based upon their previous experience, and their ideas for their contribution to the project

“It will become a piece of art that illustrates to the world what was accomplished by Inuit,” said Towtongie.

Application forms are available from the NTI website, or by contacting NTI.