Nunavut Day celebrations look at past, present, future of Inuit

Nunavut Inuit leaders have a message to residents this Nunavut Day: be proud of an accomplishment envied by aboriginal groups around the world. 

July 9 commemorates the passing of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement and the Nunavut Act, which laid the groundwork for the territory's eventual separation from the Northwest Territories. 

• PHOTOS | A day in the life of Nunavut

"It's an incredible accomplishment and this is admired internationally," said Cathy Towtongie, the president of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., the territorial land claim organization. 

"Around the world a lot of aboriginal groups have not changed the map of their country. We have."

Towtongie says this is "a very happy day for each individual in Nunavut," but while Inuit celebrate the past and the present, they should be looking to the future.    

 "I think this year will be remembered, because we are moving forward in a renewed relationship with the Government of Canada and the Government of Nunavut," she said. 

This year, NTI signed a $255-million settlement with the Government of Canada, in their lawsuit over the implementation of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.

The federal and territorial governments will work with NTI on training and education programs that will be funded using the settlement money. 

"We look forward to working with Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. on that settlement," said Deputy Premier Monica Ell, who will represent the territorial government at events in the capital today. 

"We'll reflect on what we've done in the past and what we hope to do in the future."

Celebrations of Inuit culture, music in Iqaluit

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. is hosting its annual Nunavut Day celebrations in Iqaluit with a day of live music, barbeques and contests. 

"This year we are going to look forward instead of clinging to the past," said Towtongie who will welcome residents at noon today at Inuksuk High School, along with Ell and Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq. 

Despite some rainy weather and fog, people in Iqaluit crowded morning events in the capital.

While many events changed locations to be held indoors, employees from the First Nations Bank of Canada braved the rain to hand out hundreds of free slices of cake.

An arts and crafts show and sale by the Nunavut Arts & Crafts Association got underway at 11 a.m. and the CBC's Jordan Konek says the Cadet Hall has been packed. It's set to wrap up at 4 p.m.

The main event, now moved inside to the high school, has seen a steady stream of people since noon, with long lines for the yearly free barbecue. 

There will be also be games and musical performances by Daniel Kolola, Kamaalukutaat, and The Trade-offs.

At 2:15 p.m., there will be a seal skinning and duck plucking contest. 

The Inuktitut Film Festival is also back for another year, with free screenings at 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. at the Astro Theatre.

The CBC Nunavut Facebook page will have live updates throughout the day.