The Inuit Circumpolar Council stands in solidarity with all Black and racialized people and denounces the racist and discriminatory actions that have triggered the social revolt calling for an end to police brutality, systemic racism, and discrimination in the United States and throughout societies across the globe. Inuit have been the subjects of racist actions and … Read more
Following last week’s meeting of the Inuit Circumpolar Council’s Circumpolar Inuit Health Committee, the ICC continues to express strong concerns about the potential elevated health risks and exposure faced by our rural and remote Inuit communities. “Social distancing is a foreign concept and our past experiences with such an advisory were triggered by devastating illnesses such as … Read more
ICC’s Circumpolar Inuit Health Steering Committee, composed of representatives from the four countries met last week via teleconference and discussed the COVID-19 pandemic. The committee notes that high rates of overcrowding and insufficient housing have already proven worrisome with the elevated respiratory conditions faced by many in our communities. The gaps in accessible medical services are … Read more
The Inuit Circumpolar Council expresses concern about how our rural, remote communities are potentially at much higher risk and exposure to such epidemics like coronavirus due to the chronic lack of basic infrastructure, including lack of sewer and running water. The spread of the coronavirus highlights the urgent need to remedy the profound infrastructure deficit … Read more
Inuit leaders and youth are heading to Spain to attend the UN COP25 Climate Change conference, designed to take the next crucial steps in the UN climate change process. “Climate change doesn’t care about political boundaries and climate change doesn’t care about ideology,” said ICC Canada Vice-President Lisa Koperqualuk. “Climate change is a global emergency. We have … Read more
ICC Canada President Monica Ell-Kanayuk is looking forward to engaging with members of the new federal cabinet on priority international Arctic issues. “We will be at the COP25 Climate Change meeting next month in Madrid, Spain, and so we look forward to meeting with the new Environment and Climate Change Minister Jonathan Wilkinson (North Vancouver, … Read more
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released its Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere, which points to drastic consequences to Arctic regions as a result of unstoppable changes to oceans and ice coverage. “This report proves what Inuit have been saying for decades,” said ICC Canada President Monica Ell-Kanayuk. “Warming oceans and air mean reduced ice … Read more
On June 19, Makivik Corporation and the Inuvialuit Corporate Group announced that they gained all regulatory approvals to merge First Air and Canadian North. This reflects not only better air services across the Arctic, but Inuit owned and controlled air service throughout Canada’s North. The ICC congratulates Makivik President Charlie Watt, Sr. and Duane Smith, Chair and CEO of … Read more
Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada commends the government of Canada for defending our sovereignty in the Canadian Arctic by filing a 2,100-page submission to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea defining our “Extended” Continental Shelf Boundary. “I’m pleased Canada has done this work, based on science and through the collaboration of many government … Read more
Inuit have reaffirmed Canada’s sovereignty over the Northwest Passage after comments by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that Canada’s claim over the passage was “illegitimate.” “The Northwest Passage is part of Inuit Nunangat, our Arctic homeland,” said Monica Ell-Kanayuk, President of ICC Canada, who attended the Arctic Council Ministerial meeting in Finland where Pompeo spoke. “Mr. … Read more
