The Dynamics of Intra-jurisdictional Relations in the Inuit Regions of the Canadian Arctic: An Institutionalist Perspective

• Main Authors: Alcantara, Christopher, Wilson, Gary N.
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: Scholars Commons @ Laurier 2013
• Subjects: Federalism; intra-jurisdictional relations; aboriginal self-government; historical institutionalism; Inuit self-government; Political Science; Arctic; Nunavut; inuit
• Online Access: https://scholars.wlu.ca/poli_faculty/32; https://scholars.wlu.ca/context/poli_faculty/article/1030/viewcontent/20130829_Alcantara_and_Wilson.pdf

One of the most exciting developments in Canadian federalism has been the emergence of Aboriginal self-governing regions. This paper constructs a theoretical framework for exploring the evolution of intra-jurisdictional relations in the self-governing Inuit regions of the Canadian Arctic. Intra-jurisdictional relations in these regions are characterized by a unique set of relationships between elected governments and organizations that represent the beneficiaries of land-claims agreements. Using the literature on historical institutionalism, we argue that the nature of Inuit intra-jurisdictional relations following the establishment of self-government can be explained by the institutional choices made prior to the signing of land-claims agreements and/or self-government agreements. To illustrate the potential of our framework for analysing Inuit intra-jurisdictional relations, we briefly examine the experiences of Nunavut, an Inuit-dominated region and the newest territory in the Canadian federation.