Inuit identity and regionalization in the Canadian Central and Eastern Arctic: A survey of writings about Nunavut

Abstract

The author presents a survey of writings on Nunavut since 1976.The paper focuses on a critical literature review of scholarly works centred on geopolitical boundaries and on Inuit collective identity in the Canadian Central and Eastern Arctic.The author proposes a theoretical model that outlines the interconnection between borders, symbols and collective identity.The model shows that Inuit collective identity is being redefined in Nunavut.It is argued that the land claims/self-government processes in Canada, aimed at creating large-scale political units such as Nunavut, are contributing to the re-construction of collective identity among Inuit groups.