Press Release Department: Non-Governmental - Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

National Inuit Leader Natan Obed welcomed a commitment to a sustainable, low-carbon future announced by the leaders of Canada, the United States and Mexico on June 29 and in particular, the leaders’ commitment to collaborating with Indigenous communities and leaders to incorporate traditional knowledge in decision making. “President Obama’s reference this evening to partnering to give Arctic peoples the opportunity … Read more

Natan Obed, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the national representative organization for Canada’s 60,000 Inuit, and Olayuk Akesuk, executive committee member of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA), the regional organization representing more than 14,000 Inuit in Nunavut’s Qikiqtani (Baffin) region, welcomed an announcement of the transfer of offshore rights in the waters of Baffin Bay … Read more

Natan Obed, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the national representational organization for Inuit in Canada, welcomed the statement of good will by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett (Toronto-St. Paul’s, Ont.) at the 15th United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, that Canada will be a full supporter of the U.N. Declaration on the … Read more

Natan Obed, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, called Budget 2016 a promising first step toward renewing the relationship between Inuit and the Crown. He noted the Budget’s allocations for affordable housing, the increase in the Northern Residents Deduction, and the doubling of the pool of money, over current levels, available to Aboriginal Representational Organizations. “The $170 … Read more

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President Natan Obed and the ITK Board hosted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) at their head office to discuss Inuit challenges and opportunities at the national level. Other ministers present included Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett (Toronto-St. Paul’s, Ont.), Fisheries, Oceans Minister Hunter Tootoo (Nunavut), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of … Read more

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the national organization representing Canada’s 60,000 Inuit will host Kajusivugut, a three-day forum on labour market growth and economic development trends in Inuit Nunangat, the Inuit homeland in Canada. The event is open to the public and takes place from January 27-29, during the 2016 Northern Lights Business and Cultural Showcase at … Read more

In response to the government’s announcement of a process leading to an Inquiry into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president, Natan Obed made the following statement from the COP21 Summit in Paris, France: “In keeping with the commitment to implement all of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action, we … Read more

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President Natan Obed has been invited by Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna (Ottawa-Centre, Ont.) to attend the COP 21 meetings in Paris as part of Canada’s Official Delegation. “It is an honour to be asked by the Minister to participate in the Paris Climate Conference to represent the views of … Read more

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Natan Obed attended the swearing-in of Canada’s new Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) and the government’s new cabinet ministers at Rideau Hall. Obed had the opportunity to congratulate members of the new cabinet with whom he and ITK will continue to build relationships to advance matters important to Inuit. “I would like to offer my congratulations … Read more

National Inuit Leader Natan Obed, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, congratulated Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau and the four Members of Parliament for Inuit Nunangat, the Inuit homeland in Canada: Michael McLeod (Northwest Territories), Hunter Tootoo (Nunavut), Yvonne Jones (Labrador) and Romeo Saganash (Abitibi-Baie-James-Nunavik-Eeyou). “Inuit look forward to working with the new government in the spirit … Read more