Media Centre

2003 News Archive

NTI Makes Christmas Donation to Communities

NR 03-34 DOE ENG Christmas Donations.doc
(December 18, 2003 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. today announced they were donating $500 to communities around the territory in order to help promote festive activities during the holiday season.
The funds will be used at the discretion of communities to assist with the costs of games, community dances and Christmas feasts.
We hope this contribution furthers community efforts to bring families and friends together …

NTI Releases New Elections Expense Rules and Codes of Conduct

NR 03-33 COD ENG NTI Elections Rules.doc
(December 10, 2003 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. has developed new Election Expense Rules and Codes of Conduct that all NTI Elections candidates are required to follow when running in the land claims organization’s elections. The new rules were approved during NTI’s Annual General Meeting in Sanikiluaq last month.
The positions of President and 2nd Vice-President are up for election March 16, 2004.
The …

NTI encouraged by Special Committee recommendations

NR 03-32 OLA ENG Official Languages Act.doc
(December 8, 2003 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. today set out its support of the Final Report of the Special Committee to Review the Official Languages Act.
The Report, which is the culmination of two years of intensive work by the Committee, presents a total of 21 recommendations, the most important of which calls for an entirely new Official Languages Act to …

New Nunavut Wildlife Act passes third reading

NR 03-31 WLA ENG Wildlife Act Passes.doc
(December 5, 2003 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. today offered its congratulations to the Government of Nunavut and the Legislative Assembly for passing the new Nunavut Wildlife Act.
The new legislation will take effect as soon as it receives Royal Assent from Nunavut Commissioner Peter Irniq.
We were very pleased when the MLAs passed the Wildlife Act, making it law for Nunavummiut. Before this …

Chief Returning Officer Appointed

NR 03-29 ELE ENG Chief Returning Officer Appointed.doc
(December 3, 2003 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. today announced that Helen Klengenberg of Aarluk Consulting Inc. was named Chief Returning Officer for the upcoming NTI elections, scheduled for March 16, 2004.
The positions of NTI President and Second Vice-President are both up for election.
We are extremely pleased that Helen Klengenberg has agreed to take on this important role, said NTI Chief …

Year in Review Broadcasts

NR 03-30 BRO ENG Year in Review Broadcast.doc
(December 1, 2003 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. will broadcast a four-part information series on the accomplishments the organization made during 2003.
The broadcasts, aired on community radio stations across the territory, start December 15, 2003 and will be completed December 18, 2003. They are designed to provide information and details about NTI, its mandate and its activities during the past …

Aboriginal Land Claims conference concludes with national recommendations

NR 03-28 CON ENG Abo Conference Ends.doc
(November 14, 2003 — Ottawa) Aboriginal leaders met today to urge the Government of Canada and the Prime Minister to develop a new land claims implementation policy in discussion with Aboriginal governments, organizations and land claims groups. This was one of the key recommendations made at an Ottawa conference on Aboriginal land claims that ended today.
All Canadians should be encouraged by what we …

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. to Prepare new 10-year Strategic Financial Plan

NR 03-27 PLA ENG Strategic Plan.doc
(November 7, 2003 — Sanikiluaqt, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) today passed a resolution to begin preparing a new 10-year Strategic Financial Plan for the 2008-2017 period.
NTI’s Finance Committee will work with Nunavut Trust and the Nunavut Investment Review Committee to update the existing 15-year Strategic Financial Plan and to develop the framework for the following 10-year period. The original plan was put into …

NTI AGM Delegates Approve 2004-05 Budget

NR 03-26 KIN ENG NTI Budget.doc
(November 7, 2003 — Sanikiluaq, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) Annual General Meeting delegates today approved the proposed budget for the 2004-2005 fiscal year. The $35 million budget allows for the continued effective operation of NTI, the Regional Inuit Associations and Inuit Heritage Trust, as well as growth in the areas of regional economic developments and the full implementation of the Community Liaison Officers’ …

NTI Honours Community and Territorial Leaders

NR 03-25 AWA ENG Awards Ceremony.doc
(November 7, 2003 — Sanikiluaq, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) today recognized the contributions many people have made to Inuit well-being in a special ceremony during the Annual General Meeting in Sanikiluaq. Nearly 100 delegates participating in the AGM were on hand for the event.
I am so proud of all the people who work hard to make this territory a better place to live …

NTI AGM Delegates Approve 2005-06 Budget

NR 04-37 BUD ENG NTI Budget.doc
(November 5, 2003 – Rankin Inlet, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) Annual General Meeting delegates today approved the proposed budget for the 2005-06 fiscal year. The $44.6 million budget provides resources for NTI, the Regional Inuit Associations and Inuit Heritage Trust to carry out their regular operational requirements, as well as making provision for supplementary resources for economic development and Land Claim implementation initiatives.
Inuit …

NTI Makes Important Advances in Social and Cultural Development Department

NR 03-24 SCD ENG Social Advances.doc
(November 5, 2003 — Sanikiluaq, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) today updated delegates at their Annual General Meeting in Sanikiluaq on the work being done to tackle Nunavut’s social problems.
In September 2002, the NTI Board made the decision to assume responsibility for Inuit rights and obligations under Article 32 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. These responsibilities were previously held by the Nunavut Social …

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. to explore building a drug and alcohol treatment centre for Inuit

NR 03-23 TCE ENG Treatment Centre.doc
(November 4, 2003 — Sanikiluaq, Nunavut) The Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) Board of Directors unanimously passed a resolution at their meeting in Sanikiluaq last night, Nov. 3, to study the feasibility of building an Inuit-owned drug and alcohol treatment centre for Inuit in Nunavut.
We deal with crises and problems created by drug and alcohol abuse every single day in Nunavut. Every day, a person’s …

National Conference on Land Claims Implementation to begin

NR 03-22 RED ENG Land Claims Conference.doc
(November 3, 2003 –Ottawa) Leaders from Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. will gather in Ottawa next week as co-sponsors of an Inuit, First Nations and Metis national conference on implementing land claims agreements across Canada.
Redefining Relationships, a three-day conference scheduled for Nov. 11-13, will bring together Aboriginal leaders, politicians, policy makers, negotiators, academics and representatives from the federal, provincial and territorial governments. Participants will …

NTI to hold Annual General Meeting in Sanikiluaq

NR 03-21 AGM ENG AGM.doc
(October 31, 2003 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) Leaders from Nunavut’s Inuit organizations will gather in Sanikiluaq for the Annual General Meeting of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. next week, Nov. 3-7.
The meeting will draw nearly 100 participants to the community, including the NTI executive and board of directors. Board directors from the three Regional Inuit Organizations will also participate.
AGM delegates will discuss a number of issues important …

NTI to launch healing program for residential school survivors

NR 03-20 QAU ENG Qauma.doc
(OCTOBER 10, 2003 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated announced today that the Qauma Mobile Treatment Program, a community-based healing initiative, will begin this fall, thanks to funding secured from the Aboriginal Healing Foundation.
This Program gives practical effect to NTI’s commitment to help the survivors of residential schools, said NTI President Cathy Towtongie, the Executive Member responsible for social and cultural development matters. NTI promised …

NTI helps establish a Nunavut Inuit voice on the environment

NR 03-19 ENV ENG Environment Workshop .doc
(SEPTEMBER 26, 2003 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) hosted a productive workshop in Iqaluit on developing an Inuit Environment Policy. Inuit representatives from across Nunavut met for three days from September 23 to 25th.
The care and protection of the land and water of Nunavut has been entrusted to us, said NTI President Cathy Towtongie. We have a duty to pass …

NTI calls on Senate Standing Committee to enforce Canada’s land claim obligations for off-shore fisheries

NR 03-18 SEN ENG Senate.doc
(SEPTEMBER 17, 2003 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated today asked the Canadian Senate to ensure the Government of Canada keeps the promises it made in the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement with respect to off-shore fisheries.
The NLCA was signed by the Prime Minister on behalf of the Government of Canada, which includes the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, NTI President Cathy Towtongie told the Senate …

NTI to strengthen elections process, review own operations

NR 03-17 BOD ENG Board Meeting.doc
(SEPTEMBER 15, 2003 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) The Board of Directors of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated advanced the organization’s accountability agenda through a number of resolutions passed at their meeting in Pond Inlet September 9-11. A priority was the process to be followed in the March 2004 elections for NTI’s President and 2nd Vice President.
We intend to demonstrate to Beneficiaries our commitment to a democratic, accountable …

NTI supports launch of “World Suicide Prevention Day’

NR 03-16 DAY ENG Suicide Day.doc
(SEPTEMBER 10, 2003 – Pond Inlet, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated today offered its support to the organizers of the first-ever “World Suicide Prevention Day.’ The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), in conjunction with the World Health Organization, have designated September 10 as a way of focusing world-wide attention on the problem of suicide.
NTI is committed to becoming actively involved in social issues, said …

Ukkusiksalik National Park established: NTI welcomes completion of important land claim commitment

NR 03-15 UKK ENG Ukkusiksalik.doc
(AUGUST 23, 2003 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated today congratulated the Kivalliq Inuit Association, the Government of Nunavut and the Government of Canada upon the formal completion of the Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement for Canada’s newest national park.
The establishment of Ukkusiksalik National Park is an important step in fully implementing Article 8 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, said NTI President Cathy Towtongie …

NTI Initiates Pilot Beneficiaries with Disabilities Program

NR 03-14 DIS ENG Disabilities.doc
(July 21, 2003 – Iqaluit) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. today announced a new Beneficiaries with Disabilities Program. The program will provide assistance to community organizations that offer services to improve the life of disabled Beneficiaries in Nunavut.
During the fiscal year up to March 31, 2004, NTI’s Executive has approved a pilot phase of the program, offering financial support of up to $2,000 per Nunavut community. …

Court Rules in Favour of Continued Firearms Injunction

NR 03-13 INJ ENG Firearms Injunction.doc
(July 8, 2003 – Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI), the land claims organization for the Inuit of Nunavut, has been successful in its court action to keep in place an injunction suspending the application to Nunavut Inuit of the licensing and registration requirements of the federal Firearms Act and the Criminal Code.
Mr. Justice Robert Kilpatrick of the Nunavut Court of Justice also …

Proposed Liquor Act amendments: NTI calls for community vote on liquor stores

NR 03-12 LIQ ENG Liquor Act.doc
(JULY 4, 2003 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) In publicly releasing its formal submission to the Legislative Assembly regarding the proposed Liquor Act amendments, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated today made clear its concern over the problems that will come with easier access to alcohol as proposed earlier this year by the Nunavut Liquor Board.
We believe any new revenues generated from increased access to alcohol will not cover …

NTI proposes solution to off-shore fisheries crisis

NR 03-11 SOL ENG Fisheries Solution.doc
(May 30, 2003 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) In keeping with its commitment to Inuit economic well-being, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, the Inuit land claims organization, today called for a positive approach to ensuring Nunavummiut have a fair share of their off-shore fishery – one which will require the federal and territorial governments to work together, and with Inuit.
This past week’s escalating and demoralizing exchange about the …

NTI condemns federal giveaway of northern shrimp fishery

NR 03-10 FIS ENG NTI Condemns Fisheries Decision.doc
(MAY 28, 2003 — Naujaat, Nunavut) The Board of Directors of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, the Inuit land claims organization, today condemned the federal decision to deny Nunavummiut fair access to the shrimp fishery off Baffin Island.
Federal Fisheries Minister Robert Thibeault announced Monday that Nunavut fishers would get 51 per cent of the additional quota of 2,127 metric tonnes in Shrimp Zone 1, …

10th Anniversary of Nunavut Land Claims Agreement recognized

NR 03-09 TEN ENG NLCA 10th Anniversary.doc
(May 23, 2003 – IQALUIT, NUNAVUT) – Nunavut Premier Paul Okalik and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated President Cathy Towtongie today asked Nunavummiut to remember the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement this coming Sunday.
The signing of the land claims agreement a decade ago led to the creation of the Nunavut government and an opportunity for all Nunavummiut to play …

NTI delivers on its commitment to social well-being

NR 03-08 SUI ENG Suicide Prevention.doc
(May 16, 2003– Iqaluit, Nunavut) President Cathy Towtongie announced today that Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, the Inuit land claims organization, has provided significant direct and indirect financial support to suicide prevention in Nunavut as part of its commitment to Inuit social well-being.
NTI is very concerned about the high rate of suicide attempts and completions in Nunavut, said Towtongie. Our Inuit ancestors valued life, despite the …

NTI cautions against loss of momentum on education reform

NR 03-07 EDU ENG Education Act.doc
(MARCH 26, 2003 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated today set out its concerns about the decision of the Legislative Assembly to not adopt Bill 1, the Education Act.
Inuit have made clear their desire for an education system that reflects their culture, priorities and aspirations, said NTI President Cathy Towtongie. Now that the Minister of Education has withdrawn the legislation, it is absolutely essential …

NTI says new gov’t budget reflects inadequate federal transfer

NR 03-06 BUD ENG GN Budget.doc
(MARCH 11, 2003 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI), the land claims organization, criticized the 2003-04 Government of Nunavut budget released today for failing to address key priorities for Inuit.
The federal transfer formula for the territory is simply inadequate, said NTI President Cathy Towtongie. The fact that the GN’s budget fails to provide adequate funding to meet even the basic needs of Inuit …

Nunavut Tunngavik approves new enrolment initiatives

NR 03-05 ENR ENG New Enrolment Initiatives.doc
(MARCH 11, 2003 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) The Board of Directors of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) has approved a number of initiatives that will affect the enrolment of beneficiaries under Article 35 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (NLCA).
Enrolment is a very basic, very important aspect of our land claim, said Paul Kaludjuk, Vice President of Finance and the Executive Member responsible for enrolment. …

Exploration Agreement signed with Strongbow Resources: Potential for Joint Venture as well as long-term research benefits

NR 03-04 STR ENG Strongbow Agreement.doc
(MARCH 10, 2003 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) today announced that it has signed an Exploration Agreement with Strongbow Resources Inc. that will allow the Vancouver-based company to explore more than 5,500 square kilometers in the Kitikmeot region of Nunavut.
This is the largest single mineral exploration agreement NTI has negotiated to date, said NTI 1st Vice President James Eetoolook. NTI has worked …

NTI to review regional development corporations

NR 03-03 DEV ENG Dev Corp Review.doc
(FEBRUARY 27, 2003 – Kinngait / Cape Dorset, Nunavut) The Board of Directors of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated today approved a review of the financial health and management capacity of the three regional Inuit development corporations: Sakku Corporation, Qikiqtaaluk Corporation and Kitikmeot Corporation. The review will consider accountability, financial status and the level of return on Inuit funds that were invested in each corporation …

Nunavut Tunngavik launches new travel program for beneficiaries

NR 03-02 MEE ENG Meeting Overview.doc
(FEBRUARY 27, 2003 – Kinngait/Cape Dorset, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, the Inuit land claims organization, will provide a new service for beneficiaries who wish to visit long-lost relatives or connect again with Nunavut.
At its meeting in Cape Dorset, the Board of Directors approved the policy needed to bring the new Nunatuqaminut (Traditional Lands) Travel Program into effect on April 1, 2003. The $100,000 program …

Standing Committee on the Official Languages Act: NTI affirms on-going commitment to language preservation

NR 03-01 LAN ENG NTI Supports Language Recommendations.doc
(January 29, 2003 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated has formally declared its support for the recommendations put forward by the Office of the Languages Commissioner for the Government of Nunavut’s Official Languages Act.
NTI commends the Languages Commissioner and her staff for their detailed research, carefully worded legislation and their overall positive efforts to protect Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun through the Official …