Statement for Nunavut Day 2026

Happy Nunavut Day! Quviasugissi Nunavut ullungani! ᖁᕕᐊᓱᒋᑦᑎ ᓄᓇᕗᑦ ᐅᓪᓗᖓᓂᑦ

Today we celebrate the diverse people, resilient communities, vibrant cultures, and beautiful landscapes of Nunavut, which means “our land” in the Inuit language of Inuktitut. This day marks the signing of the Nunavut Agreement in 1993, an important milestone in Canada’s shared history that affirmed Inuit rights to land, culture and self-determination.

Nunavummiut continue to carry forward Indigenous Knowledge, languages, teachings, traditions and ways of life that reflect the interconnected nature of human, animal and environmental health. This knowledge has been central to Inuit identity, resilience and survival and is essential to a healthy and sustainable future for us all.

As the Arctic experiences rapid climate change, we must continue linking to and learning from Indigenous Knowledge systems and practices that have been adapting to changing environments since time immemorial.

POLAR is proud to work alongside Northerners to advance polar science. The knowledge generated in Nunavut also contributes to our broader understanding of Earth’s polar and circumpolar regions, including Antarctica and global climate systems. The Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS) is located in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut and researchers from around the world are keen to collaborate with Canada and visit the CHARS campus.

Nunavut Day is a time to celebrate the leadership, knowledge, and partnerships that drive this work forward. Nunavut will continue to play an important role in Canada's future, and we invite Nunavummiut to celebrate with us in communities across the region.

See you there!

Talvani takuniaqtaffi!

ᑕᑯᖃᑎᒌᒃᓂᐊᖅᐳᒍᑦ ᑕᐅᕙᓂ!