Final answer:
The Canadian government created Nunavut to recognize the rights of the Inuit peoples, allowing for self-government, cultural preservation, and control over their land and resources.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Canadian government created the new territory of Nunavut in 1999 as a means to acknowledge and provide greater autonomy to the Inuit peoples. With a deep history of indigenous populations often being marginalized, this decision marked a significant step toward recognizing the inherent rights of the Inuit to self-government and preserving their culture. Nunavut, which encompasses about one-fifth of Canada's land area, enables the Inuit people to have greater control over their lands, resources, and the administration of laws within the territory. The formation of Nunavut was also an expression of devolution, which can be understood as the transfer of powers from a central government to a subnational level, particularly to address the unique needs of a cultural group within a diverse nation.
Creating Nunavut was an important milestone in the history of Canadian governance as it signified a shift towards respecting the histories and rights of its indigenous inhabitants. This action by Canada reflected a broader trend where governments may attempt to address historical injustices and provide indigenous peoples with a greater say in the affairs of their region, thereby enhancing the prospects for their social and economic development.