Media Centre

2015 News Archive

NTI President Mourns Lucassie Ivalu

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) President Cathy Towtongie today expressed her sincere condolences to Lucassie Ivalu’s family following his passing over the weekend.
Ivalu was a respected Elder from Iglulik and served as president of the Baffin Regional Inuit Association in the 1980s. During that time, he played a pivotal role in political movement that led to the signing of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement and the eventual formation of Nunavut. Ivalu …

Deadline Approaches for Photo of the Year Contest

Inuit still have time to enter Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.’s 2015 Photo of the Year Contest. Entries for the month of December will be accepted until Dec. 31 at midnight. The top three photographs of December will be entered into the Photo of the Year Contest.
On Jan. 4, an NTI jury will review all Photo of the Month winners and select the top three photographs of the year. The winning …

Harvest Plan Approved for Pond Inlet

December 4, 2015 (Iqaluit, Nunavut)
 
The Nunavut Wildlife Management Board (NWMB) confirmed yesterday that a group of narwhal are trapped in the ice outside the community of Pond Inlet. The whales have no prospect for escape and will not survive. It is not yet known how many whales are trapped in the ice. The entrapment occurred naturally during ice formation.
 
The Mittimatalik Hunters and Trappers Organization (HTO) has developed a harvesting plan …

NTI Responds to the Special Committee’s Review of the Education Act

(November 17, 2015 — Iqaluit, Nunavut)   The Education Act was reviewed in the Nunavut legislature earlier this month.  The Special Committee had 23 recommendations for the Government of Nunavut on the Education Act.  Although Nunavut Tunngavik Inc’s (NTI) Vice President James Eetoolook is in agreement with most of the 23 recommendations, Eetoolook says he requires further clarification before providing a position on all of them.
For example, the recommendation to amend …

NTI Mourns Deaths of Nunavut Agreement Negotiators Meeka Kilabuk and Terry Fenge

(November 10, 2015 — Iqaluit, Nunavut)    NTI today mourned the deaths this weekend of two individuals ─ Meeka Kilabuk of Pangnirtung and Iqaluit, and Terry Fenge of Ottawa ─ who played important parts in the successful negotiation of the 1993 Nunavut Agreement, the largest modern treaty in Canadian history.  Both served as main table negotiators over many years, and were equally active in all the research, policy debates, community consultations, …

NTI President Congratulates Cabinet Minister Hunter Tootoo

(November 4, 2015 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) President Cathy Towtongie congratulates Hunter Tootoo on being appointed the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.
“It is important for Inuit to continue this level of representation in the Federal Cabinet. Tootoo’s extensive experience in politics in the North will be an asset to all Inuit and Canadians alike” said Towtongie. “We can now take great comfort in …

NTI Congratulates Prime Minister-Designate Trudeau

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) President Cathy Towtongie today congratulated Prime Minister-Designate Justin Trudeau on his election.
“I encourage Prime Minister-Designate Trudeau to be open and receptive to working with Inuit and NTI, and I look forward to developing a positive working relationship with him as we continue toward our goal to fully implement the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. When NTI met with Mr. Trudeau earlier this year, we found him to …

NTI and GN Establish Nunavut Inuit Training Corporation

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) President Cathy Towtongie and Nunavut Premier Peter Taptuna today announced the establishment of the Nunavut Inuit Training Corporation. The leaders made the announcement following Premier Taptuna’s presentation at NTI’s annual general meeting in Iqaluit.
The training corporation, which was officially incorporated Oct. 9, 2015, will be partly funded through money awarded to NTI in the Settlement Agreement signed earlier this year. NTI signed the Settlement Agreement with …

NTI Presidents Gives out Annual Awards

(October 21, 2015 –Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik President Cathy Towtongie awarded three Inuit with NTI President’s Awards last night at the annual general meeting feast in Iqaluit.
Each year, the awards are bestowed upon three recipients who have made a significant contribution to preserve Inuit culture and lead community initiatives. This year’s recipients are Aiolah Takolik of Taloyoak, Raymond Ningeocheak of Coral Harbour and Nuna Parr of Cape …

Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated Board of Directors Meeting Iqaluit, Nunavut Oct. 19, 2015

Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated
Board of Directors Meeting
Iqaluit, Nunavut
Oct. 19, 2015
• Call to Order
• Opening Prayer
• Welcoming Remarks
• Housekeeping
1. Approval of Agenda
2. Approval of Minutes
3. Amendment to Travel Policy
4. Amendment to Contribution Policy
5. NTI Lawsuit Settlement Agreement Implementation Update
6. Funding Requests
7. Appointments
a) Nunavut Impact Review Board
b) Nunavut Planning Commission
c) Nunavut Water Board
d) Inuit Heritage Trust
8. Other Business/Presentations
• Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit
• Pirurvik
• Next Meeting Date and Location – March 15-17, 2016, Kitikmeot (TBA)
• Closing Remarks
• Closing Prayer
9. Adjournment

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. Annual General Meeting Daily Bus Services to Nanook School – October 19-22, 2015

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. Annual General Meeting
Daily Bus Services to Nanook School – October 19-22, 2015
8:15 am – Pick up at Hotel Arctic and drop off at Nanook School
12:00 pm – Pick up at Nanook School and drop off at Hotel Arctic
1:15 pm – Pick up at Hotel Arctic and drop off at Nanook School
5:00 pm – Pick up at Nanook School and drop off at Hotel Arctic
** please note: …

Baffin Fisheries Coalition Purchases Vessel

Nunavut Tunngavik Vice-President James Eetoolook today extended congratulations to the Baffin Fisheries Coalition on their recent purchase of the MV Sivulliq. The fishing vessel is 100 per cent Inuit owned.
“The purchase of this vessel will have a significant and long-term impact on Nunavut’s overall economy,” said Eetoolook. “This will enable Inuit to have full control over fishing the quota we hold in waters that are adjacent to Nunavut. This will …

NTI Offers Congratulations to New ITK President

Nunavut Tunngavik President Cathy Towtongie today congratulated Natan Obed on winning the election for president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. Natan was elected president yesterday during the ITK annual general meeting in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut.
“I have worked with Natan for the last several years in his role as director of NTI’s Department of Social and Cultural Development. He cares deeply about Inuit and will use his compassion and strong …

Historical Statistics for Suicide Released in Report

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) Vice-President James Eetoolook released a report that details the historical statistics related to suicide in Nunavut. The report was tabled yesterday during the testimony provided by NTI during the coroner’s inquest into suicide in Nunavut that is taking place in Iqaluit for the next two weeks.
Entitled “Statistical data on death by suicide by Nunavut Inuit, 1920 to 2014,” the report is part of NTI’s ongoing work …

CITES Animal Committee Decides Trade in Polar Bears not Detrimental

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) Vice-President James Eetoolook applauded last week’s decision by a committee of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to not conduct a significant trade review of polar bears. The decision was made during a CITES meeting of the Animals Committee, which concluded that the current level of trade in polar bears is not detrimental to the survival of the …

NTI Remains Opposed to EU Seal Skin Ban

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. Vice-President James Eetoolook today reiterated that NTI continues to oppose the European Union’s ban on Canadian seal skins. Eetoolook’s comments followed the announcement that the EU formally approved the Government of Nunavut’s certification program under the Indigenous Communities Exemption of the EU Seal Regime.
“For the record, NTI continues to strongly oppose the European ban on Canadian seal skins. Canada’s seal harvest is humane and sustainable. The …

Bobby Kadlun a Committed Negotiator

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. President Cathy Towtongie today paid tribute to Nunavut Land Claims Agreement negotiator Bobby Kadlun, who passed away over the weekend. Kadlun was described by people on both sides of the negotiating table as tenacious and fearless and steadfastly committed to Inuit and the land claims process.
“His commitment to ensuring the land claim benefitted Inuit was legendary. From his beginnings with the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada and the …

NTI Comments on Infrastructure Announcement

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. President Cathy Towtongie today said the announcement of $63.7 million for an Iqaluit marine port and sealift facility is welcome news for Inuit in Iqaluit and all residents of Nunavut. Federal Min. Leona Aglukkaq made the announcement from her office in Iqaluit today.
“NTI has actively advocated for increased investment into Nunavut’s infrastructure for the last several years. I am very pleased to hear that our infrastructure …

NTI Welcomes the Changes to Nutrition North Canada

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. President Cathy Towtongie today welcomed the change announced to the Nutrition North Canada program earlier this week. Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt announced that effective April 1, 2016, retailers would be required to implement a point-of-sale system to show consumers how the subsidy is being applied to their purchases. The government said the new system will provide greater transparency and accountability by ensuring that customers can see …

NTI President Expresses Condolences

(July 24, 2015 – Rankin Inlet, Nunavut)     Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) President Cathy Towtongie today expressed deep sadness over the passing of Tongola Sandy, a long-time member of the NTI Board of Directors and the President of the Kivalliq Inuit Association.
 
“On behalf of the Board, I wish to extend heartfelt condolences to Tongola’s wife and children and his many extended family members in Nunavut. Tongola was a great man and …

NTI Announces 2015 Jose Amaujaq Kusugak Scholarship Recipients

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. President Cathy Towtongie today announced the recipients of the Jose Amaujaq Kusugak Scholarship for 2015. Caroline Ipeelie-Qiatsuk of Iqaluit and Mavis Ell of Coral Harbour will each receive $5,000 toward their studies. Ipeelie-Qiatsuk is pursuing a degree in the Nunavut Teachers’ Education Program and Ell is pursuing her nursing degree. Both students are enrolled at Nunavut Arctic College.
“Congratulations to Caroline and Mavis on receiving …

Government Employment in Nunavut Telephone Survey

Government Employment in Nunavut Telephone Survey
· The Government of Canada, with the support of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and the Government of Nunavut, has hired the market research company R.A. Malatest & Associates Ltd. to gather information about government employment in Nunavut.
· Throughout the month of July 2015, the company will be conducting focus groups and a telephone survey with Inuit who are enrolled under the NLCA and are between the ages of …

Interim Narwhal Tags Policy Approved

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) Vice-President James Eetoolook today announced that the carry-over policy implemented as part of the integrated fisheries management plan for narwhal was extended to cover the 2015 summer harvest of narwhal from the north Hudson Bay sub-population.
NTI, Hunters and Trappers Organizations (HTOs) and the Regional Wildlife Organizations (RWOs) worked with the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board (NWMB) and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) for the …

NTI Voices Support for National Inquiry

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. Vice-President James Eetoolook today confirmed support for a national inquiry into missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls in Canada.
“NTI supports a national inquiry. An inquiry is a necessary and critical step in improving the way Canada treats Aboriginal women and crimes against Aboriginal women,” said Eetoolook. “We stand in solidarity with all the organizations and voices calling for an inquiry in order to find justice and …

NTI Commends Truth and Reconciliation Commission Final Report

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) President Cathy Towtongie commended the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on issuing its final report today in Ottawa during the commission’s closing event. The report, issued by Justice Murray Sinclair, is based on extensive research and the painful testimony of former residential school students collected over the past six years. It also includes a series of recommendations on how to move toward reconciliation between Aboriginal people and …

Jose Amaujaq Kusugak Scholarship Deadline Approaching

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) today reminded Inuit that the deadline for the application period for the Jose Amaujaq Kusugak Scholarship is May 31, 2015.
NTI will award two Inuit students each with a $5,000 scholarship to pursue studies at accredited post-secondary institutions in the areas of education and Inuit language, or in other areas if there is a link between their studies and the promotion of Inuit rights. Eligible post-secondary …

2014-2015 LANGUAGE AGREEMENT

Iqaluit, Nunavut (May 8th, 2015) – Minister Leona Aglukkaq announced on Wednesday that the federal government is ratifying the 2014-2015 agreement with the Government of Nunavut for the $2.7 million language promotion fund. Of that amount, Aglukkaq states $1.625 million is for the French language and $1.1 million for the Inuit Language.
“These amounts have not substantially changed in over ten years, funds for Inuit language have stayed the same” says …

Settlement Agreement Signed in NTI Lawsuit

 
(May 4, 2015 – Iqaluit, Nunavut)    Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) President Cathy Towtongie today announced that a settlement agreement has been reached by all parties in NTI’s lawsuit against the Crown (Government of Canada) for failure to implement various promises made in the 1993 Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (NLCA). A number of the breaches of the NLCA go back to 1993. The settlement agreement both resolves the …

Settlement Agreement Signing

(May 1, 2015 – Iqaluit, Nunavut)     Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) today announced that an out-of-court settlement agreement in NTI’s lawsuit against the Crown (Government of Canada) for failure to implement various promises made in the 1993 Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (NLCA) will be signed in Iqaluit on May 4, 2015 at 10 am.
 
The settlement agreement will be signed by NTI President Cathy Towtongie, Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt and GN …

NTI Board of Directors Approves Budget

The Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) Board of Directors approved its operating budget for the 2015/16 fiscal year during the meeting in Baker Lake this week. NTI President Cathy Towtongie said the budget, which flows from the investment income generated by the land claims money invested by the Nunavut Trust, allows NTI and other Designated Inuit Organizations (DIOs) to serve the interests of Inuit while ensuring spending is fiscally responsible. This …

NTI Announces Date Change for Jose Amaujaq Kusugak Scholarship

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) today announced a date change for the application period for the Jose Amaujaq Kusugak Scholarship. NTI will now accept applications for the scholarship from April 1-May 31 each year. NTI’s president will announce the winners on Nunavut Day during the annual festivities.
The scholarship awards two Inuit each with $5,000 to pursue studies at accredited post-secondary institutions in the areas of education and Inuit language, or in …

Tentative Agreement Reached in Lawsuit

(March 9, 2015 — Iqaluit, Nunavut)       Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) President Cathy Towtongie today announced that a tentative settlement has been reached by negotiators in the lawsuit against the Government of Canada concerning implementation of the 1993 Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
Details of the settlement will be disclosed once the agreement has been considered and approved by NTI, the Government of Canada and the Government of Nunavut.
Pending approval of the …

Personal Education Credit Deadline Extended

The deadline for applying for the Residential Schools Settlement Agreement’s Personal Education Credit has been extended. Former residential school students who received the Common Experience Payment continue to be eligible to apply for personal education credits or transfer the credits to their family members. The new deadlines to complete and mail forms are:

March 9, 2015  – Acknowledgment Forms
June 8, 2015 – Redemption Forms

(NOTE: DATES UPDATED JAN 20th 2015)
Former residential school students or their …

NTI Announces 2014 Photo of the Year Contest Winners

(January 6, 2015 – Iqaluit, Nunavut)          Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. today announced the 2014 Photo of the Year Contest winners. Eileen Arragutainak of Sanikiluaq was awarded $1,000 in prize money for her photograph. Arragutainak also received an enlarged copy of her photograph, and the honour of having the photograph appear as the cover of NTI’s annual report and ad template artwork.
Mosesie Ikkidluak of Iqaluit took second place with his photo …

NTI Supports Baffin Island Caribou Harvest Moratorium

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. Vice-President James Eetoolook said NTI fully supports the Government of Nunavut’s moratorium on harvesting caribou from the population located on Baffin Island. Environment Minister Johnny Mike recently announced the interim decision based on support from the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board. Scientific aerial and ground surveys show the Baffin Island caribou population is estimated between 3,462 to 6,250 caribou, which is a decline of 90 per cent since …