The Lands Division is responsible for managing use and access to Labrador Inuit Lands. Labrador Inuit Lands are defined within the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement. Within Nunatsiavut, Labrador Inuit own approximately 15,800 square kilometres of land. Within Labrador Inuit Lands, 3,950 square kilometres are further defined as Specified Material Land, which means that Inuit have the exclusive right to ownership of quarry materials and a 25 percent ownership interest in subsurface resources in this area. It is important to be aware that there are numerous provisions in the Agreement that define whom may access Labrador Inuit Lands, for what purposes, and under what conditions. The department is in the process of establishing a lands administration system to ensure compliance with our Agreement, and safeguard against inappropriate use of the land and resources.
Land Administration
The Labrador Inuit Lands Act guides the administration and management of Labrador Inuit Land in the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area. The Lands Division of the Department of Lands and Natural Resources has established an applications registry for the administration of all applications for private interests in Labrador Inuit Lands. All applications for private interests in Labrador Inuit Lands must be made through the Applications Registry. The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources makes the final decision on all applications for private interests in Labrador Inuit Lands.
The only tenures of Labrador Inuit Lands that are recognized under Inuit law are:
- Inuit freeholds, life estates, leases, land use permits, easements, recorded trap lines, and encumbrances.
- Please refer to Part 4 of the Labrador Inuit Lands Act for further information on the various types of land tenure.
If you are interested in acquiring an interest in Labrador Inuit land, a general land use application must be completed and submitted to the Lands Division for consideration and processing. Submission of an application creates no interest in Labrador Inuit land and does not create any priority with respect to the land being applied for.
For further information on the administration and management of Labrador Inuit Land, please contact the Lands Division.
Manager of Lands Administration
Henry Shiwak
Lands Division
Department of Land and Natural Resources
Nunatsiavut Government
P.O Box 47
Rigolet, NL
A0P 1P0
Tel: 709-947-3383 ext. 204
Fax: 709-947-3543
Email: [email protected]
Application for Labrador Inuit Land
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Department Overview
With the interests of our people, as well as the future of our region, in mind, the Nunatsiavut Government looks to the department of Lands and Natural Resources to sustainably manage our renewable and non-renewable resources.
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Labrador Inuit Lands
With so many resources available within the Nunatsiavut region, proper management of the land in regard to both its use by our people and other partners is of great priority.
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Land Use Planning
As part of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement, we have developed a Regional Land Use Plan to ensure proper management of our land, water, and resources.
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Inuit Harvesting Rights
As a Beneficiary of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement, you have rights to harvest wildlife, plants, and fish within the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area.
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Inuit Domestic Harvest
By reporting your harvesting activities to our department, you ensure the proper management of our resources and the future prosperity of our region.
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Overlap Agreements
Thanks to their cooperation, we are able to harvest within the Nunavik area, and we allow them to harvest within Nunatsiavut.
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Mineral Exploration Standards
With a number of possible mineral sources already established within our region, and more to come, proper management and regulation of these resources is becoming an increasingly important part of the work of the department of Lands and Natural Resources.
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Parks and Protected Areas
Containing one of Canada’s newest National Parks, as well as a number of other protected areas, Nunatsiavut is a rare region that should be experienced by all.
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Co-Management
Through a number of boards, consisting of a variety of members from all interested parties, the department of Lands and Natural Resources takes part in the co-management of a variety of Nunatsiavut’s interests.