About Nunavut

History of Nunavut

Canada’s newest territory, Nunavut, has been home to Inuit for thousands of years and is rich with history, culture, and deep connections to the land and sea. Today, about 28,000 Inuit live across roughly 25 communities, each with its own stories, traditions, and ways of life. As you get ready for your journey, this page offers links to helpful resources so you can start learning about Nunavut’s people, language, culture, and environment—and better understand the place you’ll be visiting before you arrive.

Conservation in Nunavut

Nunavut is a place of stunning natural beauty, and many people and communities are working hard to protect its land, ocean, and wildlife for future generations. One of the largest conservation success stories is Tallurutiup Imanga—a massive marine protected area where Inuit partners and the Government of Canada worked together to safeguard rich waters full of narwhal, polar bears, seals, and seabirds. Another important area is Sarvarjuaq, which is the Canadian side of the North Water Polynya located in northern Baffin Bay, between Canada’s Arctic Archipelago and Greenland (which refers to the area as Pikialasorsuaq). It is a vital zone of rich ocean life that supports important wildlife and Indigenous food systems, and communities are working to ensure it stays healthy for people and animals alike.

Across Nunavut, Inuit-led initiatives like Nauttiqsuqtiit are helping shape what conservation looks like on the ground and on the water. These stewardship programs blend Inuit knowledge with science to monitor ecosystems, care for species, and guide sustainable decision-making. On this expedition, you’ll learn how community-driven conservation helps protect the North’s incredible biodiversity while supporting culture, food security, and connection to the land and sea.