The Canadian territory of Nunavut ('Our land' in Inuktitut) was created on April 1, 1999, after the 1993 Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (NLCA) resulted in the division of the Northwest Territories and the creation of a 13th jurisdiction at the provincial/territorial level. 85 per cent of Nunavut's population of 30,000 are Inuit, making Nunavut an example of 'effective self-government through public government.' While the population may be small, Nunavut makes up 20% of Canada - an area the size of Western Europe.

There are about 170,000 Inuit, living mostly in Canada (50,000), Greenland (50,000), Denmark (8,000), Russia (1,700), Alaska (44,000) and other parts of the USA (13,000). Their homeland spreads from Greenland across the Arctic stretches of northern America and over the Bering Strait to the eastern tip of Russia. They are a nation living within four nations. Their history is unique as they have survived and prospered for over 4,000 years in one of the harshest and most unforgiving environments on Earth.

Olga Havnen has held senior positions with both the government and non-government sectors, including the Northern Territory Department of the Chief Minister, the Central and Northern Land Councils, and as Indigenous program manager with The Fred Hollows Foundation. Olga has recently taken up a newly-created position with Australian Red Cross as Head of Indigenous Strategy Development.

Please note: This seminar is available in both Streaming Audio and MP3 formats.