Press Release Department: Non-Governmental - Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President Natan Obed joined Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated President Aluki Kotierk; Makivik Corporation President Charlie Watt; Nunatsiavut Government President Johannes Lampe; Inuvialuit Regional Corporation Chair and CEO Duane Smith and Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada President Monica Ell-Kanayuk in a joint statement honouring the launch of the International Year of Indigenous Languages at the United Nations General Assembly: “The International … Read more

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President Natan Obed said the following about the new and shuffled appointments within the federal government’s cabinet: “We expect to continue our positive and productive work with Minister Jane Philpott in her new position as President of the Treasury Board Secretariat. At Indigenous Services Canada, we hope to build on the progressive … Read more

ITK President Natan Obed issued the following statement in response to changes to Nutrition North Canada: “Approximately 70 per cent of households in Nunavut are food insecure (Inuit Health Survey, 2007-08). There are similar rates across Inuit Nunangat. All but one of the 51 Inuit communities are eligible for subsidies under Nutrition North Canada. Approximately $4 … Read more

Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett (Toronto-St. Paul’s, Ont.), Minister of Intergovernmental and Northern Affairs and Internal Trade Dominic LeBlanc (Beauséjour, N.B.) and President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Natan Obed, and Inuit leaders, gathered November 29 for the sixth meeting of the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee. They endorsed a new draft Inuit Nunangat Housing Strategy, agreed to proceed with a bilateral … Read more

The ITK Board of Directors approved the Inuit Tuberculosis Elimination Framework which will be officially released on December 10, providing national guidance on priority actions needed to eliminate TB among Inuit in Inuit Nunangat. The Board also discussed the upcoming joint announcement on Indigenous child and family services and associated next steps with the federal government and national … Read more

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami announced that there are three candidates for the organization’s presidential election: Peter Ittinuar, Natan Obed, and Peter Williamson. The election will take place on August 16, 2018, in Inuvik, Inuvialuit Settlement Region, following ITK’s annual general meeting, which begins on August 15. The full release is available online. Call 613-238-8181.

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami have released a position paper on implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. The paper outlines Inuit expectations regarding the federal government’s commitment to implementing the UNDRIP. ITK President Natan Obed stated “It has been more than a year since the Prime Minister promised to renew Canada’s relationship with Indigenous peoples, including specific … Read more

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President Natan Obed and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) agreed to a permanent, Inuit-specific process to ensure that Inuit and the Government of Canada develop, implement, and evaluate shared Inuit priorities for the betterment of Canada, Inuit Nunangat, and all Canadian Inuit.  “This new structure will be the focal point for a renewed Inuit … Read more

Inuit are calling on Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers drafting Canada’s Climate Strategy to consider Inuit policy recommendations in full and in parallel with the policy options developed by four federal-provincial-territorial working groups reporting to First Ministers this fall. “The Arctic is our homeland, and we must do all we can to protect it from climate … Read more

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami released the National Inuit Suicide Prevention Strategy on July 27, which sets out a series of actions and interventions to address the high number of deaths by suicide among Inuit. To support implementation of the Strategy, Health Canada announced $9 million for Inuit-specific approaches to improving mental wellness. “Suicide among Inuit is a symptom … Read more