Ottawa, Ontario - Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
Yesterday in Ottawa, Natan Obed, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and the Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, co-chaired a meeting of the Inuit Crown Partnership Committee (ICPC). The ICPC brings Inuit and federal leaders together three times a year to make progress on shared priorities and renew the Inuit-Crown relationship based on rights, respect, and cooperation.
At Monday's meeting, Minister Alty highlighted Budget 2025's commitment to support the creation of Inuit Nunangat University, an Inuit-led institution rooted in Inuit language and culture, set to welcome students in 2030. Leaders discussed progress on an ICPC deliverable, a partnership agreement that aligns efforts and leverages resources between Inuit and federal departments to establish the university.
Leaders endorsed new guidance for federal justice officials to facilitate full and effective implementation of the federal government's statutory consultation and cooperation obligations under the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. The Inuit-specific guidance was co-developed by ITK, Inuit Treaty Organizations, and the Department of Justice as an ICPC Legislative Priorities workplan deliverable.
Leaders discussed health and wellness gaps in Inuit Nunangat, including needs related to the Inuit Child First Initiative and the 2017 commitment by Inuit and Canada to eliminate tuberculosis in Inuit Nunangat by 2030. The discussion underscored the need for whole-of-government collaboration to create substantive equity for Inuit - the reason the ICPC was created.
Building a stronger Arctic and bolstering Arctic security and sovereignty were key to the agenda. Leaders discussed plans to build safer, stronger, and more prosperous Inuit communities, including through the new Arctic Infrastructure Fund, which will help build essential transportation links in Inuit Nunangat.
Inuit and the federal government have committed to working with the Major Projects Office through the ICPC. In partnership, Inuit and the federal government will build projects, like the Iqaluit Nukkiksautiit Hydroelectric Project which will replace the Iqaluit's diesel-generated electricity-enhancing energy security, reducing emissions and supporting economic growth that connects and transforms Inuit Nunangat.
Participants at Monday's meeting included:
- Natan Obed, President, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
- Duane Smith, Chair and CEO, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation
- Jeremy Tunraluk, President, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated
- Pita Aatami, President, Makivvik
- Melva Williams, First Minister, Nunatsiavut Government
- Herb Nakimayak, President, Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada
- Gwen Natsiq, President, National Inuit Youth Council
- Laisa Audlaluk-Watsko, Chair, Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada
- Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
- Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
- Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services
- Minister Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada
- Minister LeBlanc, Minister of Internal Trade, President of the King's Privy Council for Canada, Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy
- Minister David McGuinty, Minister of National Defence
