Media Centre

2008 News Archive

NTI and Forum Uranium Corp. Sign MOU

(December 8, 2008 – Cambridge Bay, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. 1st Vice President James Eetoolook today announced that NTI signed a memorandum of understanding with Forum Uranium Corp granting rights to explore the northern portion of Inuit Owned Lands parcel BL-21.
The NTI Board of Directors passed the Uranium Policy in September 2007, and we are working hard to implement that policy. I am pleased that we have signed this MOU …

NTI offers support to the community of Pond Inlet

(December 5, 2008) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. 2nd Vice-President Raymond Ningeocheak today stated that NTI has offered support to the community of Pond Inlet.
The people of Pond Inlet have been presented with an unfortunate and unusual natural occurrence. As Inuit, we do not like to see our wildlife suffer. I commend the people of Pond Inlet for taking the most humane and appropriate action under these unique circumstances, said Ningeocheak.
Jayko Alooloo …

By-Law Amendment to Reduce the Size of NTI’s Membership Approved by AGM Delegates

NR 08-42 MAT ENG NTI AGM By-Law Amendment reduce size of AGM.doc
(December 2, 2008 -Iqaluit, Nunavut) The delegates of the Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. Annual General Meeting passed a resolution to amend by-law 3.2 last week in Cambridge Bay which will reduce the NTI membership from 47 to 23.
I commend the members for seeing a change that needed to be made and making it. With the reduction of the …

Nunavut Tunngavik AGM Delegates Approves 2009/10 Budget

NR 08-40 BUD ENG NTI AGM Delegates Approves Budget.doc
(December 1, 2008 -Iqaluit, Nunavut) The delegates of the Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. Annual General Meeting approved the proposed budget for the 2009/10 fiscal year last week in Cambridge Bay.
The $41.5 million budget provides financial resources to NTI, regional Inuit associations, and Inuit Heritage Trust for activities to be carried out in the 2009/2010 fiscal year.
With the budget we have stayed …

NTI to Host Annual Year-in-Review Program Live on CBC Radio

NR 08-41 YIR ENG Year-in-Review Program.doc
(November 27, 2008 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. will host its annual Year-in-Review program live on CBC radio on Dec. 4 & 5, 2008 from 1:30-3:00 p.m. EST.
1st Vice-President James Eetoolook and Vice-President of Finance Raymond Ningeocheak will participate in the broadcast on Dec. 4 and President Paul Kaludjak will participate in the broadcast on Dec. 5. Both broadcasts will be recorded live …

NTI Releases Annual Report on Inuit Culture and Society

NR 08-39 CUL ENG Culture and Society Report.doc
(November 21, 2008 – Cambridge Bay, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. President Paul Kaludjak tabled the 2007/08 Nunavut Social Development Council annual report on the State of Inuit Culture and Society titled Nunavut’s Health System at the NTI Annual General Meeting yesterday in Cambridge Bay.
Nunavut’s Health System provides an overview of the current Inuit health condition, discusses the government and non-government roles …

NTI Board Passes Reclamation Policy

NR 08-37 REC ENG Reclamation Policy.doc
(September 23, 2008 – Cambridge Bay, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. 1st Vice President James Eetoolook today announced that the NTI Board of Directors unanimously approved a Reclamation Policy for Inuit Owned Lands on Wednesday September 17, 2008 at a board meeting in Kugaaruk, Nunavut.Everyone was in agreement with the policy and everyone understood why it is important for Inuit to have a clear policy …

Qauma Mobile Treatment Project Schedule Announced

NR 08-36 QAU ENG Qauma 2009 sched.doc
(September 18, 2008 – Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. has released the 2008/09 schedule for the Qauma Mobile Treatment Project.
The schedule for this year’s visits is as follows:
Qikiqtarjuaq Sept. 29 – Oct. 24
Coral Harbor Nov. 10 – Dec. 5
Grise Fiord Jan.12 – Feb. 6
Cambridge Bay Mar. 2 – 27
The Qauma Mobile Treatment Project focuses on the mental, physical, social and …

NTI celebrates the Inuit Language Protection Act

NR 08-35 LPA ENG Language Protection Act.doc
(September 18, 2008 – Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. President Paul Kaludjak is pleased to see the Legislative Assembly has passed Bill 7, the Inuit Language Protection Act.
This is a historic turning point for all dialects of the Inuit language in Nunavut. The act gives Nunavummiut a good foundation to systemically advance and protect the Inuit language. said NTI President Paul Kaludjak. …

Inuit Leaders say Bill 21 Isn’t Ready to Become Legislation

NR 08-34 B21 ENG Education Act Not Ready.doc
(September 16, 2008 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) Leaders of Nunavut’s Inuit organizations today collectively urged the Nunavut Legislative Assembly not to pass Bill 21, the proposed Education Act, in its current state.
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., Kitikmeot Inuit Association, Kivalliq Inuit Association, and Qikiqtani Inuit Association all believe that Bill 21 is not ready. In a submission to the Legislative Assembly’s Health and Education …

NTI and Baffinland Sign Exploration Agreement

NR 08-33 BAF ENG NTI and Baffinland Sign Exploration Agreement.doc
(September 15, 2008 – Cambridge Bay, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. 1st Vice President James Eetoolook today announced that NTI signed a mineral exploration agreement with Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation granting rights to explore a portion of Inuit Owned Lands parcel PI-17. This parcel, 150 kilometers south of Pond Inlet, was selected by Inuit during the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement negotiations …

NTI Calls Meeting with Prime Minister a Success

NR 08-32 PMO ENG NTI Meets with Prime Minister.doc
(August 29, 2008 – Inuvik, Northwest Territories) Nunavut Tunngavik Vice-President of Finance Raymond Ningeocheak met with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, alongside other northern Aboriginal leaders, this past week in Inuvik.
Prime Minister Harper has been North before, but this is the first opportunity we have had to talk to him, Ningeocheak said. Hopefully we will be able to agree on common objectives, …

Inuit and Environment Canada Sign Historic IIBA for Conservation Areas

NR 08-30 IIB ENG IIBA Signed.doc
(August 22, 2008 – Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. Acting President James Eetoolook today with federal Environment Minister John Baird signed the Umbrella Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement (IIBA) for Migratory Bird Sanctuaries and National Wildlife Areas. The historic signing, which took place this afternoon in Ottawa, brings to a close years of negotiations. This agreement paves the way for working together with the …

NTI Welcomes McCrank Report

NR 08-29 MCC ENG NTI Welcomes Report.doc
(July 22, 2008 – Cambridge Bay, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Acting President James Eetoolook today welcomed the release of Neil McCrank’s report entitled Road to Improvement.
“There are three recommendations in this report that are specific to Nunavut, and we agree with them all,” said Eetoolook. One has already been carried out. The other two we look forward to completing.”
Road to Improvement is a …

NTI Announces 606 Contest Winners

NR 08-28 ESS ENG Youth Contest Winners.doc
(July 9, 2008 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. President Paul Kaludjak today announced the winners of The 606 Contest, a contest for 15-year-old Inuit youth. The event was designed for Inuit born between Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 1993.
In order to enter the contest, participants had to send in an essay explaining their thoughts on any aspect of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
I was …

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and Government of Nunavut Announce Kakiniit Grants Program Recipients

NR 08-27 REC ENG Nunavut Day Grants Recipients.doc
(July 9, 2008 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. President Paul Kaludjak and Nunavut Premier Paul Okalik today announced the names of the successful recipients of the annual Kakiniit Grants Program. The program awards funds to students seeking to improve their cultural and academic skills. Both grants programs are open to Beneficiaries of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (NLCA).
After review by a …

NTI Responds to Apology to Former Residential School Students

NR 08-26 APO ENG Residential Schools Apology.doc
(June 12, 2008 -Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik President Paul Kaludjak today accepted Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s apology to Canada’s Aboriginal residential school students. Kaludjak was in Ottawa with NTI 1st Vice-President James Eetoolook to hear the apology.
Today, some closure is offered to former students and their families. The Government of Canada apology in the House of Commons is seen by many Inuit …

Kakiniit Grants Deadline for Submissions Extended

NR 08-25 KAK ENG Kakiniit Extended Deadline.doc
(June 4, 2008 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. has extended the deadline for submissions for the Kakiniit Academic and Cultural Grants to June 20, 2008.
The grants program awards $1,000 to five students seeking to improve their cultural or traditional skills and $1,000 to five students enrolled in academic training at a post-secondary institution. Only Beneficiaries of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (NLCA) …

Hall Beach selected for additional bowhead whale hunt this summer

NR 08-24 BOW ENG 2nd Bowhead Hunt.doc
(June 3, 2008 – Iqaluit, Nunavut) The Wildlife Policy Advisory Committee comprised of the chairs of each of the regional wildlife organizations and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. has selected the community of Hall Beach for a second bowhead whale hunt to take place in Nunavut this summer. The first community that was selected for a bowhead whale hunt will also to take place this …

NTI concerned about the fate of the Inuit Language Protection Act

NR 08-23 LAN ENG Language Protection Act.doc
(June 2, 2008 – – Iqaluit, Nunavut) The agenda for the sitting of the Legislative Assembly indicates that the Official Languages Act, Bill 6, will tentatively be read a third time during this sitting, without any reference to the Inuit Language Protection Act, Bill 7. This has Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. concerned about the fate of Bill 7.
NTI has participated extensively in the …

NTI Disappointed with American Polar Bear Ruling

NR 08-22 BEA ENG Polar Bear Announcement.doc
(May 14, 2008 – Rankin Inlet, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Vice-President of Finance Raymond Ningeocheak said today he is disappointed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision to list polar bears as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The announcement was made this afternoon in Washington, D.C. by US Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthrone.
The decision is controversial because it defies actual …

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. Accepting Applications for Kakiniit Grants

NR 08-20 NDG ENG 2008 Kakiniit Grant.doc
(April 11, 2008 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. President Paul Kaludjak and Premier Paul Okalik today announced that application forms for the 2008 Kakiniit Grants are now available.
The grants program awards $1,000 to five students seeking to improve their cultural or traditional skills and $1,000 to five students enrolled in academic training at a post-secondary institution. Only Beneficiaries of the Nunavut …

NTI Applauds New Canadian North Schedule

NR 08-19 AIR ENG Canadian North Schedule.doc
(March 20, 2008 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik President Paul Kaludjak today applauded Canadian North for implementing a new schedule and routes that reach more communities in Nunavut.
During our Board meetings and our annual general meetings, we have lobbied Canadian North officials to change their routes to better serve Inuit. We co-own the airline so it makes sense that it meets our needs, …

Kaludjak, Ningeocheak Re-Elected to NTI Executive

NR 08-18 WIN ENG NTI Elections Results.doc
(March 19, 2008 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) NTI Elections Chief Returning Officer Adamee Itorcheak today announced the results of the elections for the executive officer positions of president and vice-president of finance.
Incumbent Paul Kaludjak was elected president of NTI, beating out candidates Jack Anawak, Mickey Akavak and Abe Tagalik. Incumbent Raymond Ningeocheak was elected vice-president of finance, beating out candidates James T. Arreak and …

NTI Supports the Extension for Proposed Education Bill

NR 08-17 BIL ENG Education Bill Delayed.doc
(March 12, 2008 – Cambridge Bay, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. supports the Nunavut Legislative Assembly’s motion that has given the Health and Education Standing Committee a 120-day extension to carefully consider Bill 21, the Education Act.
NTI has worked with the Department of Education and all other stakeholders in the development of Bill 21, and now NTI looks forward to working with the …

CBC Tausunni to Host NTI Elections All Candidates Forum

NR 08-13 CBC ENG All Candidates Forum.doc
(March 12, 2008 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) NTI Elections Chief Returning Officer Adamee Itorcheak today announced that CBC Radio will host an all candidates forum phone-in show on Tausunni for the nominees running for president and vice-president of finance in the upcoming NTI Elections, scheduled for March 18, 2008.
Candidates running for vice-president of finance will air live on Tausunni Thursday, Mar. 13 from …

Inuit to Elect NTI President, Vice-President of Finance

NR 08-14 VOT ENG Voting Day.doc
(March 11, 2008 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) NTI Elections Chief Returning Officer Adamee Itorhceak today announced that Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2008 is Voting Day in the elections for president and vice-president of finance.
Competing for the position of president is Mickey Akavak, Jack Anawak, Paul Kaludjak, and Abraham Tagalik. Competing for the position of vice-president of finance is Jayko Aloolloo, James T. Arreak, and Raymond Ningeocheak. …

NTI Elections to Hold Advance Polls

NR 08-12 ADV ENG Advance Polls.doc
(March 4, 2008 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) NTI Elections Chief Returning Officer Adamee Itorhceak today announced that Inuit can cast their ballots in an Advance Poll next Tuesday, Mar. 11, 2008, to elect a president and vice-president of finance.
Competing for the position of president is Mickey Akavak, Jack Anawak, Paul Kaludjak, and Abraham Tagalik. Competing for the position of vice-president of finance is Jayko Aloolloo, …

NTI’s Transparent Operations

NR 08-16 TRA ENG NTI Transparent Operations.doc
(March 3, 2008 – Cambridge Bay, Nunavut) Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq was simply misinformed when she made a reference about the lack of transparency in Inuit organizations during a recent legislative session. Transparency has long been one of the key principles under which NTI operates.
Beneficiaries have many ways to find out whether NTI is making decisions in their interest. Among other …

NTI Supports the Extension for Language Legislation

NR 08-15 EXT ENG Language Legislation Extension.doc
(March 3, 2008 – Cambridge Bay, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Acting President James Eetoolook today said the organization supports the Nunavut Legislative Assembly’s motion which gives the Ajauqtiit Standing Committee a 120-day extension to carefully consider Bill 6, the Official Languages Act, and Bill 7, the Inuit Language Protection Act.
The decision for more time was the right one, said Eetoolook. Bills 6 and …

IBC to Produce NTI Elections All Candidates Forum

NR 08-09 ACF ENG All Candidates Forum.doc
(February 22, 2008 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) NTI Elections Chief Returning Officer Adamee Itorcheak today announced that Inuit Broadcasting Corporation would produce an all candidates forum phone-in show (Qanuq Isumavit?) for the nominees running for president and vice-president of finance in the upcoming NTI Elections, scheduled for March 18, 2008.
Qanuq Isumavit? will air live on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008 from 8-9 p.m. EST …

Nunavut Tunngavik Gives Official Notice of Election

NR 08-10 NOT ENG Notice of Election.doc
(February 20, 2008 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) NTI Elections Chief Returning Officer Adamee Itorcheak today gave official Notice of Election for the executive officer positions of president and vice-president of finance.
Competing for the position of president is Mickey Akavak of Kimmirut, Jack Anawak of Rankin Inlet, Paul Kaludjak of Iqaluit, and Abraham Tagalik of Iqaluit. Competing for the position of vice-president of finance …

NTI Calls on Fisheries to Reverse Quota Transfer Decision

NR 08-08 FIS ENG NTI Asks DFO to Reverse Decision.doc
(February 19, 2008 – Cambridge Bay, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. Acting President James Eetoolook today called on the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to reverse their recent decision to transfer 1,900 metric tonnes of offshore turbot quota to fishing companies owned by non-Inuit in southern Canada.
The transfer of SeaFreez’s turbot quota to two non-Inuit-owned fishing companies based in southern …

NTI Releases Annual Report on Inuit Culture and Society

NR 08-07 CUL ENG Culture and Society Report.doc
(February 13, 2008 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. Acting President James Eetoolook today released the Annual Report on the State of Inuit Culture and Society, entitled Saqqiqpuq: Kindergarten to Grade 12 Education in Nunavut. The annual report is an annual obligation of Article 32.3.4 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, and the 2005-07 report focuses on the education system in Nunavut.
Improving …

Nomination Period to End for President and Vice-President

NR 08-04 END ENG Nomination Period Ends.doc
(February 12, 2008 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) The Nomination Period for Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. Elections will close Feb. 19, 2008 at 5 p.m. local time. Eligible candidates must file their nomination papers with the Chief Returning Officer by that time.
Elections for the NTI executive officer positions of President and Vice-President of Finance will be held March 18, 2008. Voters can head to advance …

NTI Grants Uranium Rights to Kaminak Gold

NR 08-06 URA ENG NTI Grants Uranium Rights.doc
(February 7, 2008 – Cambridge Bay, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. Acting President James Eetoolook today announced that NTI signed a memorandum of understanding with Kaminak Gold Corporation that includes the rights to explore for uranium on Inuit Owned Lands parcel RI-30. This parcel, 300 kilometres west of Rankin Inlet, was selected by Inuit during Nunavut Land Claims Agreement negotiations specifically because of …

NTI Appoints Sandy Kusugak as Elections Commissioner

NR 08-05 COM ENG NTI Elections Commissioner Named.doc
(February 6, 2008 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. Chief Returning Officer Adamee Itorcheak today announced that Sandy Kusugak was appointed by the NTI Board of Directors to serve as Elections Commissioner for the NTI Elections to be held March 18, 2008.
The term of the NTI Elections Commissioner is Feb. 5 – May 4, 2008. In her role, Kusugak will review …

NTI Celebrates Language Week

NR 08-04 LAN ENG NTI Celebrates Language Week.doc
(February 5, 2008 – Iqaluit, Nunavut) Following the onset of Language Week in Nunavut yesterday, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) President Paul Kaludjak encouraged Inuit across the territory to speak Inuinnaqtun and Inuktitut to the best of their ability on a regular basis. Recent data released by Statistics Canada shows there has been a decrease in the amount of Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun spoken …

NTI Nomination Period Opens for President and Vice-President of Finance

NR 08-03 NOM ENG Nomination Period Opens.doc
(January 29, 2008 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. today announced that Nomination Period for NTI Elections will open Feb. 5, 2008. The Nomination Period will remain open for two weeks, closing Feb. 19, 2008.
Elections for the NTI Executive Officer positions of President and Vice-President of Finance are scheduled for March 18, 2008. Voters can head to advance polls March 11, 2008, and …

NTI Announces 2007 Photo of the Year Contest Winner

NR 08-02 PHO ENG Photo Contest Winner.doc
(January 24, 2008 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. President Paul Kaludjak announced today that Niore Iqalukjuak of Arctic Bay won NTI’s 2007 Photo of the Year Contest. Iqalukjuak won $1,000 in prize money and an enlarged copy of his photograph after a selection committee composed of NTI employees judged the 2007 winners of the Photo of the Month Contest.
I offer my congratulations …

NTI to Host Annual Televised Year-in-Review Program Today

NR 08-01 YIR ENG Year-in-Review Program.doc
(January 10, 2008 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. will broadcast tonight the annual live, two-hour Year-in-Review televised program on the Aboriginal People’s Television Network (APTN) Northern Service from 9-11 p.m. EST.
President Paul Kaludjak, 1st Vice-President James Eetoolook and Vice-President of Finance Raymond Ningeocheak will all participate in the broadcast with well-known host and former CBC personality Moses Atagoyuk.
NTI organizes the annual …