Traditional activities and a new power development in Nunavut (NNSL)

QIA sends Nunngarut dam back to review board

Proposed hydroelectric project would disrupt historical trail, says Inuit association

Daron Letts
Northern News Services
Published Monday, September 30, 2013

KIMIRRUT/LAKE HARBOUR

A proposed hydroelectric dam between Kimirrut and Iqaluit should be scrapped because it would sever a heritage route that has connected the communities for generations, according to the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA). 

Visitors to Katannilik Territorial Park at dropped off by a Twin Otter on Mount Joy in July 2012. The Qikiqtani Inuit Association is concerned about Qulliq Energy Corporation's plan to build a 25-metre hydroelectric dam within the territorial park. - photo courtesy of Franco Buscemi

The QIA's Community Lands and Resource Committee in Iqaluit is opposing Qulliq Energy Corporation's plan to develop a 25-metre hydroelectric dam at Nunngarut, approximately 20 kilometres southwest of Iqaluit. The site is partially located on Inuit-owned lands and within Katannilik Territorial Park.

The proposed development would threaten wildlife and disrupt the Kimirrut trail linking the community with Iqaluit, according to Simon Nattaq, QIA lands and resource committee chairperson in the capital.

“The initial plan to build a dam at Nunngarut was opposed by many in Kimmirut and Iqaluit as it is a place that is frequented by Kimmirummiut and Iqalummiut for fishing and hunting activities," Nattaq stated in a Sept. 25 news release. "Travelling between Iqaluit and Kimmirut would also be threatened as the lake at Nunngarut is the only viable route to cross. For these reasons, we have concluded that the impact on Inuit would be too great."

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The Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) and  the Community Lands and Resource Committee (CLARC) in Iqaluit are opposing Qulliq Energy Corporation’s (QEC) plans to develop a hydroelectric Project at Nunngarut (Armshow South). 

CLARC Chairperson Simon Nattaq says, “The initial plans to build a dam at Nunngarut was opposed by many in Kimmirut and Iqaluit as it is a place that is frequented by Kimmirummiut and Iqalummiut for fishing and hunting activities. Travelling between Iqaluit and Kimmirut would also be threatened as the lake at Nunngarut is the only viable route to cross. For these reasons we have concluded that the impact on Inuit would be too great.”

Iqaluit Lands Committee Flags Dam Proposal (NIRB Public Registry)