Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami issued a statement following its two-day policy conference, “Nilliajut: Asserting Inuit rights in Arctic security,” calling on the federal government to partner directly with Inuit on Arctic sovereignty, defence and security. The organization said Inuit Nunangat makes up 40 per cent of Canada’s landmass, most of its coastline and all of its … Read more
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) launched the Inuit Nunangat Poverty Reduction Strategy, an Inuit-led roadmap that calls for measures to reduce poverty, improve economic participation and address the high cost of living across Inuit Nunangat. The strategy recommends an income-tested refundable tax credit for low-income residents, reforms to Nutrition North Canada and a permanent replacement for … Read more
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) says Budget 2025 offers cautious optimism but raises serious concerns about gaps in funding for Inuit health and children’s services. “We are disturbed by the lack of renewed funding to eliminate tuberculosis in Inuit Nunangat,” said ITK President Natan Obed, noting that rates of TB in Inuit regions remain more than … Read more
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) welcomes Canada’s renewed intentions to strengthen and protect Inuit Nunangat, our Arctic homeland, in the face of international interests and threats. To ensure Inuit perspectives are primary in this national work, ITK released a position paper, An Inuit Vision for Arctic Sovereignty, Security and Defence, which highlights the costly mistakes of the past, … Read more
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami announced that its vision for an Inuit-led university in Inuit Nunangat has gained significant momentum through a partnership and a historic $50-million investment from the Mastercard Foundation, the largest private donation made to Inuit. This contribution will fund key startup elements of Inuit Nunangat University, a first-of-its-kind institution dedicated to providing world-class university … Read more
The Supreme Court of Canada’s decision today on Indigenous self-determination represents a major victory for Inuit and the well-being of our children, youth, and families. The Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families, which came into effect in 2020, provides a legal framework to ensure cultural continuity for Inuit children and … Read more
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Natan Obed issued a statement: “This letter is intended to draw attention to efforts by the NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) to engage federal leaders, academic institutions, and Canadians in an attempt to advance its illegitimate claims to Inuit rights and status. NCC seeks to secure the lands and rights of legitimate Indigenous peoples … Read more
ITK president Natan Obed and Métis National Council president Cassidy Caron issued a statement: “Both ITK and MNC believe in the need for intergovernmental fora,” reads the statement. “However, the invitation of various organizations to said meetings, such as the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples and Native Women’s Association of Canada, which claim to represent Inuit and Métis … Read more
Budget 2023 pledges $16.2 million over three years for “interventions to reduce rates of tuberculosis in Inuit communities.” “This modest investment in Inuit health priorities does not fulfill our joint commitment with the Government of Canada to eliminate tuberculosis in Inuit Nunangat by 2030,” said Natan Obed, President of ITK. “But we remain optimistic that … Read more
A report co-developed by ITK, Inuit partners and the federal government has found that the well-being of students in Inuit Nunangat would benefit from a coordinated school food program. Understanding the Costs of an Inuit Nunangat School Food Program makes a case for the delivery of a cost-effective, accessible, and Inuit-specific meal program to be implemented in … Read more
