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 AudioThe BBC's Mike Donkin meets Inuit hunters  real 28k |
The native Inuit people of Canada are celebrating the creation of a vast self-governing region in the Arctic - the first significant change to Canada's internal borders in 50 years.
The territory, called Nunavut, which means "our land" in the Inuit language, covers some two million square kilometres - roughly the size of western Europe.
 Canadian Rangers rehearse for inauguration ceremonies for the new territory
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The celebrations are beginning in Canada's high Arctic. There will be official signings, dancing and fireworks.
About 85% of Nunavut's population is Inuit, and the new government owes much to the Inuit tradition.
There are no political parties, decisions will be made by consensus amongst the parliament's 19 elected members and the region has distinct education and justice systems which follow traditional Inuit values.
 A Nunavut elder lights a traditional "qulluliq" at the dedication of the Nunavut Legislature
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Nunavut's leaders are warning their people not to expect too much improvement too quickly. Change, they caution, will come slowly.
But after decades of governance by non-Aboriginals thousands of kilometres away, many Nunavut residents say there is new hope for their future and good reason for celebration.
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