For Immediate Release
(January 23, 2025 – Iqaluit, Nunavut) The Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) Board of Directors met in Iqaluit this week. During the two-day meeting, the board approved their 4-Year Strategic Priorities titled Inungnik Makipalliatittiniq and invest in culturally appropriate food security and Inuktut initiatives, and a Nunavut Inuit Emergency Response Fund.
Consistent with the Board’s commitment to financial transparency, the Board approved revisions to the Core Funding Model to take effect from April 1, 2025. The revised model is a culmination of collaboration between NTI, the three Regional Inuit Associations (RIAs) and the Inuit Heritage Trust. It establishes a funding formula that distributes core funding received from the Nunavut Trust, based on objectively established percentages that will be reviewed by the board every three years. In addition, the NTI Finance Committee will meet more frequently to provide oversight on financial planning, treasury and controllership functions.
Harvesters Support Grant
Budget 2024 included a $29.5 million commitment to continue funding the Nutrition North Canada Harvesters Support Grant and Community Food Programs Fund to implement the Inuit Nunangat Food Security Strategy. Although the funds have not been received yet, the board proactively prepared to distribute these funds between NTI and the RIAS using the standard formula and approved a spending plan for NTI’s $8.8 Million.
Of this funding, $4 Million will go towards a Nunavut wide school food program, including an on the land harvesting skills development program for high school students. Subsequently, country food harvested from the program will be distributed to the school population. The funding will also support the Nunavut Day Snowmobile, ATV and hunting equipment draws in each Nunavut community, pathogen testing, development of an educational Polar Bear Harvesting TV show and creation of a secretariat to coordinate and evaluate NTI and RIA efforts from the program.
Uqausirngaq Policy
Progress continues on implementation of the Uqausirngaq Strategic Framework, which aims to guide NTI and RIAs in supporting Nunavut Inuit to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen Inuktut. The board approved a policy to create and implement the Uqausirngaq Grants and Contributions Program, which will allocate $13.78 Million to support self-determined Inuktut language initiatives in Nunavut until 2028. In the interim, NTI allocated $1 Million to an invitational RFP to support organizations that previously relied on the Canadian Heritage Indigenous Languages Component funding.
In addition, the board approved a two-year spending plan for NTIs allocation of the Indigenous Languages Component funding, with the goal of supporting language nests Inuktut emersion in early childhood education, an Inuit curriculum project, Inuit educational leadership initiative, and to conduct assessment around the Inuktut media and language data.
NTI will continue to work under the Uqausirngaq Framework and with the Inuktut Steering Committee to refine and finalize the Uqausirngaq Strategic Action Plan, under the board’s guidance.
Emergency Fund
The NTI Board approved $1 Million for the establishment of a Nunavut Inuit Emergency Response Fund, to be able to respond rapidly and effectively to disaster relief in the territory. This includes the purchase and storage of emergency supplies, such as generators, camping stoves, sleeping bags and other critical items.
Inungnik Makipalliatittiniq
The NTI board approved its 4-year strategic priorities Inungnik Makipalliatittiniq (2025-2029). The board worked tirelessly over the last year to develop the eight priority areas, including:
1. Constructive and Creative Partnerships with Governments – Building pathways to meaningful collaboration while asserting Inuit leadership and control.
2. Nourishing Inuit with Dignity – Combating food insecurity with innovative, Inuit-led solutions.
3. Meaningful Work – Empowering Inuit through employment that is fulfilling and reflects our potential.
4. Skilled Inuit Ready to Work – Delivering education and training programs that prepare Inuit to lead in every sector.
5. Thriving Inuit Communities – Addressing the housing and infrastructure crises to build vibrant, self-sustaining communities.
6. Inuktut for All Time – Ensuring that Inuktut thrives as the cornerstone of Inuit identity.
7. Community Health, Happiness, and Wellbeing – Creating conditions where Inuit can live with self-respect, free from systemic inequities.
8. Embracing a Culture of Excellence – Inspiring each other to aim higher and achieve more.
NTI President, Jeremy Tunraluk will release Inungnik Makipalliatittiniq (2025-2029) in full in February 2025.
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Media Contact:
Ivaluarjuk Merritt
Director of Communications
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.