The Specific Case of the Inuit

The distinct character of the Inuit is noteworthy. Although the first contact between Inuit and Europeans, whalers and traders dates far back in history, these relations have been sporadic. Prior to adopting a more sedentary lifestyle in the second half of the 20th century, the Inuit of Nunavik lived a subsistence life centred on hunting (marine mammals and caribou) and trapping (fur-bearing animals, especially Arctic fox). Whereas in the South, fur trading with First Nations had played a key role in French colonization from the start, fur traders did not settle permanently in the North until much later.

Historically, Northern Québec was part of Rupert’s Land, a vast area to which the King of England granted the Hudson’s Bay Company title in 1670. Although Rupert’s Land was acquired by Canada in 1870, the Canadian government did not establish programs for the Inuit until 1930, when they were experiencing hardship as a result of the collapse in fur prices and starvation.

The current territory of Nunavik (part of the former District of Ungava of the Northwest Territories) was transferred to the province of Québec in 1912 pursuant to a statute. One of the conditions of the transfer was that Québec recognize “the rights of the Indian inhabitants” in the territory and obtain surrenders of those rights in the same manner as the Government of Canada obtained surrender thereof (either through treaties or financial compensation) (Quebec Boundary Extension Act, 1912, 2 George V. Chap. 45). Those explicit conditions had never been fulfilled. This loophole was used by the Inuit and Crees as a central argument in their opposition to the huge James Bay hydroelectric development project in the 1970s – yet another project that was announced without any consultation and with complete disregard for the First Nations living in the territory and their rights.