NR 00-21 NUN ENG Nunavut Day.doc

Iqaluit, Nunavut (October 20, 2000) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) today announced its continued support for the celebration of July 9 as Nunavut Day, in spite of the government of Nunavut decision to not declare it as an official Territorial holiday.

The Governor-General of Canada proclaimed the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement into law, protected by the Constitution, on July 9, 1993. It is a critical day in the history of Nunavut, said Paul Quassa, President of NTI. This day must be remembered and celebrated so that we do not forget the significance of that occasion.

We appreciate the work of the Government committee that reviewed this proposal, and understand that their decision is based upon input from many communities in Nunavut, continued Quassa. NTI hopes that the Government will not forget the issue and, as support for this holiday grows across Nunavut, will revisit the situation.

NTI and other Inuit organizations will continue to allow staff to take part in planning events and to celebrate this important day in the development of Nunavut.

The Government committee was considering replacing the municipal government holiday celebrated on the first Monday in August with Nunavut Day on July 9.

For further information:

Alan R. Vigoda
Director of Communications
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.
Iqaluit, NU
Tel: (867) 975-4900

NTI Media Releases are posted to our web site: https://www.tunngavik.com