will assume all governing powers by 2009. The first premier, Paul Okalik (an Inuit) was elected by this assembly. The territory sends one senator and one representative to the national parliament.
             Nunavut will be governed by the Inuit, who make up 90 percent of the 27,500 people living in 28 isolated towns in a region of tundra, pine forest, and ice fields straddling the Arctic Circle. There are tentative plans to adopt educational and judicial systems reflecting Inuit traditions - for example, criminals might be assigned to live at isolated camps rather than be jailed in prisons.
             The separation of Nunavut from the Northwest Territories began with a 1992 territorial referendum. In this referendum, the electorate approved the move as part of the largest native land-claim settlement in Canadian history. This separation process concluded with the establishment of the new territory on Apr. 1, 1999.
             So on that date, Nunavut became the first territory to enter the federation of Canada since Newfoundland joined in 1949.
             The idea to split the Northwest Territories into two new territories was first introduced as a bill in the Federal House of Commons in 19
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