National Inuit Leader Mary Simon reacted to the termination of the National Aboriginal Health Organization. Simon said that Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami encouraged a restructuring of the organization to better reflect a distinction based approach sought by Inuit. Simon added that the loss of the Inuit Tuttarvingat Centre creates a serious void in Inuit health research … Read more
The Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami expressed its disappointment that the 2012 federal budget does not invest any new public funds in three priority areas identified by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami in pre-budget consultations: Inuit education; Inuit mental wellness; and, Inuit housing. President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami Mary Simon recognized that First Nations on reserve will be receiving … Read more
National Inuit leader and president of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami Mary Simon said as World Tuberculosis (TB) Day approaches, the rate of TB among Inuit continues to grow and vigilant action in all Inuit regions of Canada is required to stop the upward trend. The latest figures released by the Public Health Agency of Canada paint … Read more
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, together with the Stop TB Partnership and Members of Parliament from all major parties, introduced a global campaign on Parliament Hill to call for an end to tuberculosis. The goals of Stop TB (Taima TB in the Inuit language) are faster treatment; a quick, cheap, low-tech diagnostic test; an effective vaccine; and, … Read more
National Inuit Leader Mary Simon sent a message of condolence to the people in Iqaluit who lost their homes on Feb. 26, 2012, as a 22-unit row housing unit burned to the ground. Simon said that the two-story housing units, locally known as “White Row”, were home to about 300 people. Simon added that most … Read more
National Inuit Leader Mary Simon called on the government to assist the community of Hopedale, NL, with equipment, expertise and funding to solve the water crisis in the community. Simon said there’s a need for the national government to assist in this critical situation, to provide immediate relief, and to assist in providing a long-term … Read more
National Inuit Leader and president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami Mary Simon issued a statement on the passing of two Northerners. Arctic scholar Robert Williamson died Feb. 12, 2012, and retired Anglican Bishop John R. Sperry died Feb. 11, 2012 at the age of 87. Both men received the Order of Canada. Simon said that Inuit … Read more
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Canada’s national Inuit organization, said the government’s decision to list the polar bear as “special concern” on the Federal Species at Risk Act creates special new responsibilities to Inuit. Polar bears have been given the “special concern” designation for the past 20 years. Over this period of time, however, Inuit have observed … Read more
Inuit regional and national representative organizations attended the meeting of the Range States for the Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears in Iqaluit, Nunavut, October 24-26, 2011. The Agreement was signed in 1973 between Canada, U.S., Greenland, Norway, and Russia. The Iqaluit meeting is a continuation of biennial meetings of the Range States since … Read more
National Inuit Leader Mary Simon categorically denounces the inclusion of a racist Aboriginal slur in an animated video on the website of a Member of Parliament. The comment “Slow down young man, you’re talking Eskimo” can be heard in an animated video supporting discussion on the Canadian Wheat Board. Simon said the comment is offensive … Read more
