(June 1, 2020 – Iqaluit, Nunavut) Inuit leadership allocate $2.5 million of the Indigenous Community Support Fund for Nunavut Inuit living outside of the Nunavut Settlement Area towards food security and shelter in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
“Coronavirus is hardest on those people with weakened immune systems. We want to support the most vulnerable Nunavut Inuit, living outside of Nunavut, to help meet their most basic needs,” said Aluki Kotierk, President of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI).
Country food will be harvested in Nunavut, providing an important economic activity in the territory. Distribution in Ottawa, Yellowknife, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Montreal has been arranged with organizations serving Nunavut Inuit. Funding in the amount of $505,000 has been allocated for the harvesting, shipping and distribution.
“Country food is nutritionally high quality food and is often the preferred food for Inuit. Given the stress of Coronavirus, Inuit outside of the Nunavut Settlement Area have also shared with us that country food is important for mental health,” said James Eetoolook, Vice-President of NTI.
An additional one million dollars has been allocated for food security to be delivered by urban organizations serving Nunavut Inuit to purchase food for distribution or personal protective equipment for staff. Of this, $576,000 has been allocated to organizations in Ottawa, Yellowknife, Winnipeg and Edmonton and funding has begun to flow. Proposals for the balance of $424,000 will be accepted until June 12, 2020.
Similarly, a million dollars has been allocated to shelters in urban centres to adapt to health protocols, support physical distancing and purchase personal protective equipment for staff or clients. Of this, $576,000 has been allocated to urban Inuit organizations in Ottawa, Yellowknife, Winnipeg and Edmonton. Proposals for the balance of $424,000 will be accepted until June 12, 2020.
According to the NTI enrollment list, there are 5,014 Inuit residing outside of Nunavut, with highest numbers in Ottawa, Yellowknife, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Montreal, respectively.
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For further information:
Malaya Mikijuk
Director of Communications Trainee
Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated
COVID-19 Applications, Support and Information
Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated
Covid-19@tunngavik.com
(867) 975-4919
Backgrounder
On March 25, the Government of Canada’s $82 billion emergency coronavirus support package received Royal Assent. It included a $305 million Indigenous Community Support Fund (ICSF) for Indigenous peoples to address urgent community needs.
Nationally, the Inuit allocation of the ICSF is $45 million.
On March 25, the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) Board agreed that this $45 million would be divided among the four Canadian Inuit regions: Nunavut, Nunavik, Nunatsiavut and the Inuvialuit settlement region, in accordance with a previously agreed ITK funding formula. Nunavut’s allocation is 52% or $22.5 million.
On March 25, the NTI Board divided Nunavut’s portion of the Indigenous Community Support Fund (ICSF), as follows:
Urban Inuit $2,505,000
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. $6,012,000
Qikiqtani Inuit Association $6,132,544
Kivalliq Inuit Association $4,341,223
Kitikmeot Inuit Association $3,554,233
Nunavut Inuit seeking support for food security programs or country food may contact:
Tunngasuvingat Inuit or Inuuqatigiit in Ottawa and area;
Manitoba Inuit Association or Tunngasugit Winnipeg in Manitoba;
Yellowknifemiut Inuit in Yellowknife;
Southern Quebec Inuit Association in Montreal; and
Edmontonmiut Inuit Group in Edmonton.
