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NTI Board Confirms Inuit Unity, Funds Housing, Health Equity, and Voter Initiatives

For Immediate Release
(March 30, 2026 – Nuuk, Greenland) The Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) Board of Directors concluded its Board meetings yesterday in Nuuk, Greenland, following several days of discussion focused on Inuit priorities. These discussions included housing, education, governance, and strengthening relationships with Inuit partners across Inuit Nunaat.

“I am grateful to the Board members who came together to make decisions that shape the future of our people,” said NTI President Paul Irngaut. “Our mandate depends on Inuit unity, and these meetings reflect our shared responsibility to represent Inuit.”

Inuit Nunaat
While in Nuuk, the Board met with leaders from the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC), officials from Greenland’s Department of Independence and Foreign Affairs, and representatives of the Consulate of Canada to Greenland. Discussions focused on shared Inuit priorities, working together across Inuit Nunaat, and ensuring Inuit continue to have a voice in decisions made at regional and international levels.

“Canada’s Arctic Foreign Policy identifies that the Arctic is no longer a zone of low tension. The Board discussed the inherent right and process for Inuit to govern ourselves, control our lands and resources and pursue our own economic, social and cultural development,” said Vice-President Adamee Itorcheak.

 Housing
During the meeting, the Board reviewed the coordinated spending plan for Budget ‘22 Affordable Housing funding and approved the disbursement of $163.8 million in 2026–2027 to the Regional Inuit Associations for their construction plans. Houses built will be transferred to the Igluvut Corporation, ensuring tenants benefit from a rental subsidy. Board members emphasized that housing solutions must continue to be Inuit‑led, with sustained federal support and Inuit decision‑making to meet urgent community needs.

 Health Equity
The NTI BOD has approved priority areas for spending and a foundational spending plan to begin work on health equity. The four priority areas are Food Security, Inuit Self-Determination in Health, Accompaniment and Community Health Workers, and Leverage and Response. $28 million was approved to begin this important work, including for community-based organizations providing wellness programs and increase health supports for Nunavut Inuit.

Elder Care
The NTI Board and AGM have called for Elders to be prioritized. Advancing Elder’s care is critical, urgent, and sensitive. NTI emphasizes that all avenues of support need be made available for Elders to age at home. This includes both long-term care facilities and Elder’s housing. NTI is ready to work with the GN on co-developing the ‘long-term plan to build more Elder-care facilities’ as promised in the Elders’ Strategy.

Inuktut Academic Education
The Board reaffirmed its commitment to Inuit self‑determination in education, emphasizing the importance of education systems led by Inuit and rooted in Inuit language, culture, and values. These discussions recognized education as central to supporting strong families, healthy communities, and Inuit participation in the workforce.

Increasing Voter Turnout
The Board also approved a Policy on Initiatives to Encourage Voter Participation in Elections, building on the strong turnout seen in the 2024 NTI presidential election. The policy sets out measures for future elections, including bilingual candidates’ debates, travel assistance for candidates, and the continuation of the $100 voucher, with the goal of making NTI elections more accessible, fair, and representative of Inuit voices across Nunavut. The election initiatives will be funded by mineral resource revenue from the exploration and development of Inuit Owned Lands.

Financial Update
The Board approved NTI’s 2026–27 $30.2 million operating budget. In 2024, the Board improved the Bereavement and Compassionate Travel Program to allow for three travellers and hotel while in transit. This year, the Board approved a 29.55% increase to the budget for this important program, bringing it to $2.85 million. The program is administered by the RIAs.

The next Board meetings will be held in Iqaluit on June 8, in Baker Lake from August 25-27, and in Cambridge Bay, October 19 followed by the Annual General Meeting in Cambridge Bay, October 20-22, 2026.

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Media Contact
Brodie Larocque
Acting Director of Communications
Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated

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