When aboriginal peoples talk about their lands, we are talking about our homelands. We are talking about the territories and resources upon which our people have survived for thousands of years. We are talking first and foremost about our cultures and our way of life in these territories. The land, the waters, the wildlife—and we, the people—are one and the same. We are not separate from our environment. We are part of it, and it is part of us.

Yet non-aboriginal governments have looked upon land claim negotiations as real estate transactions. This is not our view. It is difficult for us to understand the non-aboriginal concept of individual land title and ownership.

We see these negotiations primarily as the means to preserve our relationship with the land and ensure our survival as a people in the larger society surrounding us. Therefore, we are also taking economic and political means to control what happens on our lands.

I want Canadians and members of this House to understand that Nunavut exists now and has always existed in the minds and hearts of Inuit. We know Nunavut is our land. What we have been seeking throughout the years is the acknowledgement by the Canadian government that this was, and is, our land and that we have the right to control what happens to that land, our homeland.

Passing this bill today does not change the world for us tomorrow. The lives of the people of Nunavut will not be suddenly different on the day after—or even a year from now.

The bill before us sets out a path to follow. It sets out a transition process, the importance of which cannot be overemphasized.

Charles Caccia, Member of Parliament for Davenport

The ultimate goal of this agreement and this bill would be to preserve these lands ecologically, in good quality and in good condition forever, for all the generations still to be born. We do that from the recognition that, basically, the economic well-being of the Inuit people depends on a healthy and strong environment. So long as that precondition is established, then this bill will have probably fulfilled its implicit purpose.

Senator Len Marchand

The land claims settlement and, more importantly, the recognition of Inuit land and other rights, is a major milestone in the evolution and development of the Canadian North and of Canada. A11 Canadians can feel justifiably proud of this historic achievement. To the negotiators, both past and present: you have done Canada proud.

Senator Tack Austin

The critical steps here for me are the institutional steps; finally, Inuit people will have institutions that allow social development to take place. They will be able to concentrate on the issues in their own community and remove their energies from this constant north/south dialogue and focus internally on what they need to do. It is truly a time to celebrate.