History

The First Peoples

The First settlers on Iqaltutian ground are said to have arrievd around 500 BCE. Though Iqaltut can probably have been sighted before, its inhospitability discouraged earlier peoples.

The first peoples were nomadic and left only traces of toolwork. They apparently could forge and control fireplaces. Nevertheless they never became sedentary.

Above: carving of a polar bear ca 300 BCE

The Twelve Kings

The Twelve Kings were said to be 12 stars fallen from the skies. The Kings each identified to a different constellation of the Zodiac, starting a long tradition in Iqaltutian history.

The 12 Kings standardised nomadic circuits for their peoples, and ensured that different zodiac tribes would meet infrequently enough not to fight.

The Kings also ensured resources would be sufficient and countrymen would not get lost

Above: drawing of a polar bear ca. 510 CE

The Viking Cohabitation

Around 750 CE, sailors from modern day Picland called Vikings settled on Iqaltut's coast. The Vikings built many buildings, notably keeps and fortresses. However their presence in Iqaltut does not seem to have been permanent, but rather both seasonal and rotational.

The Vikings rarely interfered with the nomadic peoples, occasionally chasing them away from the more temperate and desirable coasts.

Above: artist rendition of a Viking keep in Iqaltut.

The First Zodiac Council

In the early XVIth Century the Barnbouthians abandoned Eisenport, taken with other concerns. The tribes decided to unite in 1505 in the Pearl Field (central Iqaltut) and proclaim that they shall never leave each other unaware any longer.

The 12 chiefs formed a Zodiac Council, more concerned with warning each other of imminent dangers than establishing governance, a prerogative left to each of the 12 Nomadic tribes.

Above: "Freedom" by Palliktok, oil on canvas, ca. 1660. *

The Aaluk Dynasty

In 1700 CE, a tribe chief known as Qaniit arrived at the Zodiac Council. Instead of tolerating the plurality there, she chose to force all tribes under her single command and crowned herself "Chief of all the Iqaltutians".

Qaniit's and the Aaluks' contribution to Iqaltut's institutions cannot be overstated, as they created a monetary, postal and transport system, and founded the city of Coldwater, still Iqaltut's Capital.

The dynasty fell in 1800 when Qaniit's grandson was executed in a revolt.

Above: painting of Qaanit, 1722.

Socialist Iqaltut

In 1800, inspired by the Argoni revolution and other movements, a revolution started to overthrow the last Aaluk King.

The Revolution as succesful and a Central Committee of Workers of Iqaltut was set up to govern Iqaltut. During this time, industries boomed and technology reached new levels, but it also represented a time of poverty and government oppression in Iqaltutian history.

The Socialist Republic of Iqaltut (Iqaltut SR) was governed for 20 years by several People's Commissioners, but they were unable to maintain power for longer and the regime fell in 1820 CE.

Above: Picture of strikes in 1800

The Second Zodiac Council

Reactionaries joined by large chunks of Iqaltutian society allied to overthrow the socialist regime and re-establish the Zodiac Council in 1820. However, members of the coalition had different aims.

Traditionalists wanted the First Zodiac Council back identically while liberals wanted an election system.

The Second Zodiac Council system ended up being similar to the first. In the beginning (up to the 1960's) an elected administration would accompany it. However, from the 1960's onwards political freedoms started falling under the Council's leadership, leading to its overthow in 2019.

Above: The village of Ny Gilliaq in 1977

The Arctic Confederation

(aka the Third Zodiac Council)

The Arctic Confederation was founded by the Iqaltutian Democratic Front that rebelled against the Second Zodiac Council, on grounds of lack of political freedoms. Instead, a more democratic system is due to replace it.

This is the current system in which Iqaltut subsists.

Above: Coldwater, the Capital of Iqaltut.