an Institution of Public Government ("IPG") created pursuant to Article 13 of the Agreement Between the Inuit of the Nunavut Settlement Area and Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada (Nunavut Land Claims Agreement or NCLA), came into existence on July 9, 1996. It has responsibilities and powers over the use, management and regulation of inland water in Nunavut and its objects are to provide for the conservation and utilization of waters in Nunavut--except in national parks--in a manner that will provide the optimum benefits for the residents of Nunavut in particular and Canadians in general.

The NWB operates at arm's length from government and other parties and is part of a larger management regime constituted of other IPGs including the Nunavut Surface Rights Tribunal, the Nunavut Impact Review Board and the Nunavut Planning Commission, as well as other land and resource management bodies like the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, Regional Wildlife Organizations, and local Hunters and Trappers Organizations.