ABOUT the NCLA

The Nunavik Civil Liberties Association is an independent not-for-profit organization run by and for Nunavimmiut (Inuit of Nunavik).

The NCLA welcomes the support of non-Inuit members and directors, but only Nunavimmiut may vote at member meetings, and a majority of the board of directors must be Nunavimmiut.

We do not accept any government funding.

Our goal is to improve the lives of Nunavimmiut by raising awareness, advocating for change, and fostering Inuit employment, artistic, and entrepreneurial initiatives.

About Nunavik

The region known as Nunavik (meaning ‘the place where we live’ in Inuktitut) is a vast area of Northern Quebec, bordered on the east, north and west by Nunatsiavut (Labrador), Ungava Bay, and Hudson Bay, and on the south by Eeyou Istchee (Cree Nation). 

 The Inuit people have inhabited the Canadian Arctic, including Nunavik, for thousands of years before the arrival of Qallunaat (non-Inuit), and lived a nomadic way of life. Beginning in the 1950s and 1960s, the Canadian and Quebec governments instituted various programs and policies in the North that had the effect of greatly destabilizing, undermining and sometimes destroying Inuit traditions, structures and ways of life. These included forced sedentarization and relocations, the slaughter of sled dogs, creation of residential and day schools, and the removal of Inuit children from their communities.

 In the 1970s, the Quebec and Canadian governments embarked on a massive hydro electric project in James Bay that would have destroyed huge swaths of Cree and Inuit land – all without consultation with or the permission of the Cree or Inuit. The Cree and Inuit fought the project and obtained the very first court order in Canada recognizing that Indigenous peoples had original land rights that predated the arrival of the colonial governments from Europe. This injunction was quickly overturned by the Canadian appeal courts, but it provided the basis for the negotiation of the first modern treaty in Canada in 1975, in this case between the Cree and Inuit on the one hand, and the federal and provincial governments on the other.

 Under that treaty, the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, the government recognized certain rights of the Inuit people to manage aspects of economic and social development, education and environment in their territory, and the region of Nunavik was explicitly recognized. The JBNQA also explicitly acknowledged that the Canadian and Quebec governments were required to fund and provide health, education, and other public services to the Inuit of Nunavik.

 In exchange, the JBNQA granted the federal and provincial governments rights to the land. The people of Canada continue to reap great profit from the JBNQA because it allows them to engage in major natural resource projects in the North, such as mining, hydro-electric, and forestry.

 The JBNQA remains controversial among many Inuit in Nunavik. For example, many assert that it was signed without the permission of all Inuit, that it gave up rights that couldn’t be given away, or that it was coerced because the government was threatening to take the land anyway.

 One thing is certain: the Canadian and Quebec governments have failed to deliver on their obligations and promises to provide essential services and support to Nunavik. Even while the Inuit of Nunavik rebuild and shore up their culture and traditions from generations of destructive colonialism, they are faced with inadequate and unequal housing, healthcare, education and employment, as well as severe discrimination in the justice system. As a result, Nunavik is overrepresented in many risk indicators, such as rates of suicide, youth protection interventions, and incarceration.

 Despite these obstacles, the Inuit people remain strong and resilient, and are continuing to work to restore equality and justice to Nunavik.

We hope that you will join them.


FREQUENTLY Asked questions

--ABOUT NCLA--

What is NCLA?

The NCLA is an independant organization raising awareness of civil rights and equality issues and advocating for change in Nunavik, Canada.

How was it started?

The NCLA was founded by like-minded Inuit and Qallunaat who believed in equality, dignity and improvement for Nunavimmiut. In the works for a few years, it was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 2021.

What are you going to do?

Our current priorities are to

  1. Observe, watch and collect data
  2. Raise awareness through various campaigns and tactics
  3. Educate through communication and publication
  4. Create employment
  5. Help local charities
  6. Intervene and act in courts of law
  7. Promote culture and art

Can I join or how can I help?

Yes, please find out more here: how you can help.

Can NCLA help me or support my project?

Please contact us.

 

--ABOUT NUNAVIK--

What is Nunavik?

Nunavik (Inuktitut for 'the place where we live') is a vast region of Northern Quebec that has been the home of Inuit for hundreds of years, and was formally recognized by the federal and provincial government in the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement in 1975.

Where is Nunavik?

Nunavik comprises 560,000km of territory in Northern Quebec, and is bordered on the east, north and west by Nunatsiavut (Labrador), Ungava Bay, and Hudson Bay, and on the south by Eeyou Istchee (Cree Nation).

Who lives in Nunavik?

There are 14 communities in Nunavik, with approximately 14,000 residents. The large majority of the people who live in Nunavik are Inuit, but some non-Inuit live there, usually for short-term job assignments (especially in Kuujjuaq, the largest community).

How can I find out more about Nunavik and its history?

How can I learn Inuktitut?

Online tutorials and apps are available at:

In-person classes are offered:

 

--ABOUT NUNAVIK--

What is Nunavik?

Nunavik (Inuktitut for 'the place where we live') is a vast region of Northern Quebec that has been the home of Inuit for hundreds of years, and was formally recognized by the federal and provincial government in the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement in 1975.

Where is Nunavik?

Nunavik comprises 560,000km of territory in Northern Quebec, and is bordered on the east, north and west by Nunatsiavut (Labrador), Ungava Bay, and Hudson Bay, and on the south by Eeyou Istchee (Cree Nation).

Who lives in Nunavik?

There are 14 communities in Nunavik, with approximately 14,000 residents. The large majority of the people who live in Nunavik are Inuit, but some non-Inuit live there, usually for short-term job assignments (especially in Kuujjuaq, the largest community).

How can I find out more about Nunavik and its history?

How can I learn Inuktitut?

Online tutorials and apps are available at:

In-person classes are offered:

--ABOUT MEMBERSHIPS AND DONATIONS--

How can I become a member? What's in it for me?

All NCLA members are invited to attend NCLA meetings, and will be the first to be notified of the NCLA's latest actions, programs and initiatives.

Membership is free for Nunavik Inuit, who also get to vote and elect board members. Non-Inuit members are invited to become supporting members for just $5/month. Please find out more about memberships.

How will my donation be used?

All donations are used in pursuit of the NCLA's objectives. The NCLA believes strongly in transparency and anonymized data and details on donations will be published in our next yearly report.

Do you provide canadian donation receipts?

No, we are a non-profit organization providing regular receipts and invoices, not a charity providing tax credit donation receipts.

Do you accept corporate donations?

Yes, please contact us. Targeted project sponsorship is also possible.

--MORE--

What is peaceful protest?

Peaceful protest is longstanding practice with a history of achieving goals, such as social change, through nonviolent resistance and actions. NCLA believes in nonviolent protest as a mean to raise awareness and to improve the current condition of Nunaviimiut.

How can this be happening in Canada?

Although Canada prides itself on its role as international leader and advocate for human rights, through the efforts of Indigenous activitists and non-Indigenous allies, the ugly truths of Canada's colonial history, and the continued discrimination and inequalities that its Indigenous people face on a daily basis, are finally being publickly acknowledged.

We are at a turning point where the political will may finally be building to make a real change in Nunavik. Please help us push change forward by raising awareness and making a contribution.

 

--MORE--

What is peaceful protest?

Peaceful protest is longstanding practice with a history of achieving goals, such as social change, through nonviolent resistance and actions. NCLA believes in nonviolent protest as a mean to raise awareness and to improve the current condition of Nunaviimiut.

How can this be happening in Canada?

Although Canada prides itself on its role as international leader and advocate for human rights, through the efforts of Indigenous activitists and non-Indigenous allies, the ugly truths of Canada's colonial history, and the continued discrimination and inequalities that its Indigenous people face on a daily basis, are finally being publickly acknowledged.

We are at a turning point where the political will may finally be building to make a real change in Nunavik. Please help us push change forward by raising awareness and making a contribution.

PLEASE HELP.