(March 17, 2021 – Baker lake, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) urges all eligible Elders who have not submitted an application to apply for the Uqqujjait Innarnut – Elders Support Program. NTI launched the program in October of 2020 during the NTI Annual General Meeting in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. Under this program, all eligible Nunavut Inuit born between January 1, 1949 and December 31, 1955 are eligible to receive a minimum monthly support of $120.
The Uqqujjait Innarnut-Elders Support Program is an extension of the existing Nunavut Elders Benefit Program.
To date, 530 Elders have successfully applied to the program and are receiving monthly payments. Similar to the current Elders Pension program, recipients of the Uqqujjait Innarnut program will not need to pay income tax on the payments they receive.
NTI urges eligible Inuit who have not submitted applications to do so. Application forms are available from the NTI website and from your local Community Liaison Officers.
The Uqqujjait Innarnut funds comes from NTI’s portion of the mineral resource revenues. The Resource Revenue Policy, approved by the NTI Board in 2011, outlines the shared use of a portion of the economic benefits derived from mineral resource development in the Nunavut Settlement Area. Resource revenue is allocated half to an operating fund and half to an endowment fund. The operating fund is allocated annually between NTI and each of the Regional Inuit Associations.
.For further information:
Malaya Mikijuk
Director of Communications Trainee
Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated
Tel: (867) 975-4900/Toll-free: 1-888-646-0006
About Uqqujjait Innarnut-Elders Support Program
Eligibility requirements for the Uqqujjait Innarnut – Elders Support Program:
- You are an Inuk enrolled in the Nunavut Agreement; and
- Born between January 1st, 1949 and December 31st, 1955.
Completed applications are reviewed by NTI. Approved applicants receive a monthly direct deposit or cheque on the first of each month.
To give every eligible Elder a chance to apply, the application period will be open for one full year after the launch date. It is important to note that payments will not be retroactive to the launch date but will only commence after your application has been reviewed and approved.
Monthly Payments
| For Elders Born Between | Previous Monthly Payments | New Monthly Payments |
| January 1, 1949 to December 31, 1955 | 0 | $120 |
| January 1, 1948 to December 31, 1948 | $90 | $120 |
| January 1, 1947 to December 31, 1947 | $105 | $120 |
| January 1, 1946 to December 31, 1946 | $120 | $120 |
| January 1, 1945 to December 31, 1945 | $135 | $135 |
| January 1, 1944 to December 31, 1944 | $150 | $150 |
Why Uqqujjait Innarnut was chosen
Uqqujjait Innarnut was chosen because it is a word describing the act of giving to others in honor and respect. In this case, NTI is giving more elders the opportunity to be
eligible for this extended program.
