Every Nunavummiuq has the right to use and receive services in the language of their choice, Inuktut (Inuktitut or Inuinnaqtun), English, or French.
These rights are protected under two key territorial laws: the Official Languages Act (OLA) and the Inuit Language Protection Act (ILPA).
Under these Acts:
- The Official Languages Act ensures that Nunavummiut can communicate with and receive services from the Government of Nunavut and its public agencies in any of the three official languages.
- The Inuit Language Protection Act goes further by ensuring that Inuktut (Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun) is protected, promoted, and developed as a living language in all aspects of life from education and health care to public administration and community services.
These laws make Nunavut unique in Canada: it is the only jurisdiction where an Indigenous language has equal official status with English and French.
They reflect the territory’s commitment to linguistic equality, cultural preservation, and accessibility of public services.
THE LINGUISTIC LANDSCAPE OF NUNAVUT
THE INUIT LANGUAGE
The Inuit language, officially referred to as Inuktut, includes both Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun. Together, they form the foundation of Nunavut’s linguistic and cultural identity.
While Inuktut remains one of the strongest Indigenous languages in Canada, census data from 2006, 2016, and 2021 show a gradual but steady decline in its use as a mother tongue, even though the ability to speak it has remained relatively stable.
In 2006, around 83% of Nunavut’s population reported Inuktut as their mother tongue. Ten years later, in 2016, that proportion had fallen to 65.3%, and by 2021, it stood at 62.7%.
This means that while most Nunavummiut still understand and speak the language, fewer are learning it as their first language at home. The decline is linked to several factors, including the influence of English in education and public life, migration between regions, and a very young population — the median age in Nunavut is 26.8 years, compared to nearly 40 years across Canada.
Despite this decline, Inuktut remains a living, daily language in most communities across the territory, serving as a bridge between generations and a symbol of cultural resilience.
Inuktitut
Inuktitut continues to be the most widely spoken Inuit language in Nunavut.
In 2006, more than 31,000 Nunavummiut identified Inuktitut as their mother tongue — approximately 83% of the population.
By 2021, the number of Inuktitut mother-tongue speakers had declined to about 22,600, representing 52% of Nunavut’s residents.
Inuktitut is dominant in the Qikiqtaaluk (Baffin) and Kivalliq regions, where it remains the primary language of daily life, used in homes, schools, workplaces, local government, and the media.
Ongoing programs in education, teacher training, and translation continue to strengthen the presence of Inuktitut and help ensure that it remains a language of both tradition and modernity.
Inuinnaqtun
Inuinnaqtun is spoken mainly in the Kitikmeot region, particularly in Kugluktuk and Cambridge Bay (Iqaluktuuttiaq).
It represents a smaller but vital part of the Inuit linguistic heritage.
In 2006, about 590 Nunavummiut reported speaking Inuinnaqtun at home.
By 2016, the number had dropped to 390, and by 2021, to approximately 235 speakers.
While Inuinnaqtun faces significant challenges in intergenerational transmission, it remains a symbol of strength and cultural pride.
Community-driven programs, mentorship initiatives, digital learning tools, and intergenerational camps have been developed to revitalize Inuinnaqtun and ensure it remains alive for future generations.
Unlike Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun uses the Latin alphabet, and speakers are leading innovative revitalization efforts through storytelling, education, and community gatherings.
Language Revitalization and Protection
Both Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun are protected under Nunavut’s Official Languages Act (OLA) and the Inuit Language Protection Act (ILPA).
These laws guarantee that Nunavummiut have the right to receive public services, education, and government communication in the Inuit language.
They also require territorial institutions, municipalities, and certain private organizations to actively offer services in Inuktut.
Ongoing collaboration between the Government of Nunavut, Inuit organizations, and community partners ensures that Inuktut remains a modern, vibrant, and unifying language, connecting Nunavummiut to their identity, heritage, and future.
Sources: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006, 2016, and 2021.
ENGLISH
English holds a central place in Nunavut’s multilingual landscape.
It is the main language of government, administration, and industry, particularly in regional centres such as Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, and Cambridge Bay.
While Inuktut remains the first language for many Nunavummiut, English is often the second language learned and spoken daily, especially in workplaces, schools, and public institutions.
Over the past fifteen years, the use of English has steadily increased.
According to Statistics Canada, between 2006 and 2021, the proportion of Nunavut residents reporting English as their mother tongue rose from 10.0% to 26.4%, while more than 90% of the population now reports being able to converse in English.
This growth is partly due to increased mobility, southern migration, and the widespread presence of English-language media across the territory.
English has become the common bridge language connecting speakers of different mother tongues in Nunavut, facilitating communication across regions, professions, and cultures.
However, its prevalence also highlights the importance of ongoing initiatives that protect and promote the Inuit language to maintain a balanced linguistic environment.
FRENCH
French has a long and vibrant history in Nunavut, particularly in the capital, Iqaluit, which is home to a thriving Francophone community.
French is one of Nunavut’s three official languages, and its presence is protected under the Official Languages Act.
According to census data, the number of Nunavut residents who identify French as their mother tongue has grown modestly over time, from about 420 people in 2006 to approximately 495 in 2021.
Meanwhile, more than 1,200 residents reported being able to speak French, showing that bilingualism continues to thrive within the territory.
The Francophone community of Iqaluit plays an active role in Nunavut’s cultural and social life.
It is served by the École des Trois-Soleils, a French-language public school under the Commission scolaire francophone du Nunavut, a Francophone daycare, a community radio station (CFRT 107.3 FM), and a cultural centre that hosts year-round activities promoting language and cultural exchange.
French is also widely used in public services, education, and arts programs, supported by strong partnerships with the Government of Nunavut, Canadian Heritage, and national Francophone organizations.
This dynamic presence makes French an essential part of Nunavut’s multilingual identity, a language of both community and connection, helping to strengthen cultural ties across Canada’s North.
WHY LINGUISTIC RIGHTS MATTER?
Language is more than communication, it is the expression of identity, culture, and belonging.
By protecting linguistic rights, Nunavut ensures that every person can live, learn, and participate fully in the language they identify with, fostering inclusion and respect for diversity.
The Office of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut works every day to make these rights a reality by informing, advising, monitoring, and investigating to ensure that all official languages are respected across the territory.