Final answer:
Nunavut became a territory of Canada in 1999, signifying the division of the Northwest Territories to recognize the Inuit culture and their need for self-governance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The region of Nunavut became an autonomous territory of Canada in 1999. This significant political change is best explained by describing it as 'the division of the Northwest Territories into two distinct territories, with Nunavut becoming a separate entity primarily to recognize and promote the Inuit culture.' Nunavut encompasses a vast land area, making up about one-fifth of Canada's total landmass, yet is sparsely populated with around 30,000 people, most of whom are Inuit. The establishment of Nunavut as a territory reflected efforts to acknowledge the unique cultural and political needs of the Inuit population, and it resulted from decades of negotiations and planning aimed at providing this large indigenous group with self-governance within the Canadian federation.