For Immediate Release
(August 28, 2025 – Kinngait, Nunavut) The Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) Board of Directors met in Kinngait this week, advancing several important files, including the approval of the Nunavut Inuit Housing Fund Policy, allocation of federal Indigenous housing funding, and establishment of an Independent-not-for-profit (INFP) governance structure for Aqqusariaq.
Financial Transparency
The Board reviewed and passed the 2024-2025 audited financial statements. NTI again received a clean audit with no significant internal control concerns. Members noted a 46% increase in project spending, with significant investments in Inuktut revitalization, community infrastructure, housing, the Inuit Health Survey, post-secondary education, tuberculosis care, and suicide prevention initiatives.
The annual distribution from the Nunavut Trust reached $92.9 million, more than double the $44.5 million of the previous year. Of this, $16.99 million has been declared but not yet received. The Board also received the final reimbursement of $56.4 million in negotiation loans and directed these funds into the newly established Nunavut Inuit Housing Fund to ensure a lasting legacy for Inuit.
Nunavut Inuit Housing Fund
Following the establishment of the Nunavut Inuit Housing Fund in June 2024, the Board adopted the founding policy to guide its long-term operations. The Fund is capitalized at $135 million, combining $63 million from negotiation loan reimbursements and interest, with an additional $72 million from NTI’s portion of Budget 2022 Inuit Housing funding.
NTI’s Inuit Housing Fund is an innovative and precedent setting financing solution for housing in Nunavut. It’s intended to ensure the sustainability and affordability of the planned housing stock by offsetting high operational and maintenance costs through annual contributions from the fund.
The Fund will provide the new Inuit Housing Entity more flexibility to set affordable rental rates for housing built by RIAs that are transferred to the entity.
The Board named the new entity Igluvut (our homes). Establishing the fund and the housing entity are two key commitments under Angirratsaliulauqta. A key principle of Igluvut is to create “no-strings attached” housing, for Inuit by Inuit, not tied to employment, and reducing reliance on federal, territorial and other staff housing programs.
Urban, Rural and Northern (URN) Funding
The Board approved the allocation of $98 million in URN funding to NTI for supportive housing development. Priority areas include safe housing for women and children fleeing violence, Elders, and youth in crisis. NTI will continue working with the Governments of Nunavut and Canada through the Territorial Table to Address Homelessness and the Nunavut Partnership Committee on Housing to coordinate implementation.
Reaching Home Funding
The Board endorsed a spending plan for $17 million in federal Reaching Home funding over the next four years. This will strengthen NTI and RIA capacity to participate in the Tripartite Table to Address Homelessness, support Urban Inuit organizations serving Inuit facing homelessness in southern cities and align resources with the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Family Services to address homelessness in Nunavut.
Aqqusariaq Recovery Centre
The Board also approved the creation of Aqqusariaq, a new independent, not-for-profit entity with NTI as the sole member. This decision follows GN’s 2023 endorsement and its 2025 support for NTI to formally register the organization. The establishment of Aqqusariaq fulfills long-standing commitments to deliver Inuit-led, in-territory addictions and trauma treatment grounded in culture and Inuktut.
The preferred governance model will be an independent arms-length board, ensuring inclusive representation and alignment with best practices identified in the 2025 Understanding Governance for Aqqusariaq consultation report.
National School Food Program Funding
The Board also approved the allocation of $5.9M in school food program funding for fiscal years 2024-2026 to ensure schools across Nunavut can continue to run their food programs for the upcoming year.
While in Kinngait, NTI partnered with Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) to successfully host a community celebration and feast to commemorate QIAs 50th Anniversary. Approximately 300 people gathered in the Peter Pitseolak Gymnasium to share in country food, live music, games/contests and square dance. NTI congratulates the QIA on this milestone anniversary, and thanks to the community of Kinngait for a warm welcome.
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Media Contact:
Ivaluarjuk Merritt
Director of Communications
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.
