March 3, 2014 – Ottawa, Ontario – Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
Nunavut's fourth national park, Ukkusiksalik National Park, has expanded by 327 square kilometers thanks to an exchange of land between the Government of Canada and the Kivalliq Inuit Association (KIA).
The 20,500 square kilometer park is located on the northwest shore of Hudson Bay in the Kivalliq Region of Nunavut, near the community of Repulse Bay. The KIA and the Government of Canada have completed a mutually beneficial land exchange including Crown lands and Inuit-owned land under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (NLCA). The KIA transferred the parcel of land within Ukkusiksalik National Park, located on the eastern shore of Wager Bay, to the Crown. The transfer will result in this culturally and archaeologically significant land becoming part of the park, benefitting all Inuit and Nunavummiut from its conservation.
In exchange, the Government of Canada transferred two parcels of Crown land to the KIA, one located just west of Baker Lake and one northeast of Repulse Bay. The KIA will benefit from the economic development potential contained in both parcels of land.
Erica Meekes
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
819-997-0002
Media Relations
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
819-953-1160
