The establishment of Nunavut as a distinct territory under its own government fulfils a long-held aspiration of the eastern and central Arctic Inuit to control their own destiny. The form of self-government the Inuit have chosen will be unique to Nunavut. The Inuit are a majority of the population of the Nunavut territory and will therefore have a preponderant influence in a public government elected by all residents of Nunavut, Inuit and non-Inuit. The new government administers an area that covers approximately 20 per cent of Canada, with powers equivalent to those of the Yukon and Northwest Territories. The government of Nunavut will be established in evolutionary stages over 16 years, from 1993 to 2009.
Elders play a crucial advisory role in all aspects of Inuit society and political structure.
The Nunavut Implementation Commission consisted of nine members named by the Government of Canada, six of whom had to be residents of Nunavut. The Commission advised all parties on the funding and design of training plans, the timetable for transferring services, and the process for holding the first election for the Government of Nunavut, in February 1999. This initial transition phase ended with the election. Accordingly, the Nunavut Government is decentralized, with government departments and agencies set up in communities throughout the territory, thereby sharing the economic benefits and responding to the particular needs of each region.