Canada spends $1.5 billion to boost Arctic sovereignty and empower Inuit communities

Sonal Gupta,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Canada is strengthening its Arctic sovereignty and helping to empower Inuit communities with a $1.5-billion contract in the North.

The investment covers a wide range of priorities, including skills training, employment, cultural preservation and institutional capacity development. It will roll out over a decade until 2034 and be accompanied by an additional $77.6 million in annual funding to support Nunavut communities.

“This is a historic moment,” said Gary Anandasangaree, minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs. “It’s a joint vision for Nunavut – where we work together on issues important to Inuit.”

The contract falls under the Nunavut Agreement, a land claims and self-governance agreement signed in 1993 that created the territory of Nunavut in Canada. The new contract was signed on Saturday by Anandasangaree, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. President Jeremy Tunraluk and Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok.

A significant portion of the funding will support Pilimmaksaivik (Federal Centre of Excellence for Inuit Employment) in Nunavut designed to address the underrepresentation of Inuit in federal government positions, a long-standing issue in the region.

“HTOs (Hunters and Trappers Organizations) have been underfunded for such a long time, this will improve in capacity, in terms of how they run things,” said Tunraluk, whose organization represents Inuit under the Nunavut Agreement. The new contract almost triples funding for HTOs and regional wildlife organizations in Nunavut.

“It’s not just about spending dollars,” said Pacome Lloyd, director of implementation at Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.

“We’re all in this together to make sure we’re benefiting Inuit and along the way, these agreements are in place to make sure we have a better relationship with Canada,” said Jeremy Tunraluk, president of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.

“It’s about ensuring that the programs and opportunities created through this contract actually result in meeting the obligations of the agreement. We want to make sure that Inuit are properly represented in the workforce and that there are real opportunities for Inuit to build meaningful careers.”

Preservation of Inuit heritage and culture is key to the agreement. The establishment of cultural programs at the Nunavut Inuit Heritage Centre will support the reclamation and safeguarding of Inuit artifacts.

“I’m an artist myself, and have a really keen interest in these artifacts,” Tunraluk said. “To have that connection, to be part of that connection to make sure that artifacts are coming back home is something I’m really proud of.”

Holding the signed Implementation Contract. Standing left to right: President of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated Jeremy Tunraluk, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami Natan Obed, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Gary Anandasangaree, and Premier P.J. Akeeagok of Nunavut.

The contract is part of the ongoing reconciliation process between the federal government and Indigenous Peoples, especially the Inuit of Nunavut.

It will ensure all parties are accountable, including the federal and Nunavut governments. “We’re all in this together to make sure we’re benefiting Inuit and along the way, these agreements are in place to make sure we have a better relationship with Canada,” said Tunraluk.

“We’ve had our rocky moments in the past, but the previous governments have done a lot of work to bridge the gap between us and the federal government,”

Nunavut Agreement negotiations began in the 1970s as the Inuit sought more control over their lives. The Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act and the Nunavut Act enacted in 1993, established Nunavut and resolved Inuit land claims. The Inuit gained ownership of 350,000 square kilometres, a portion of resource royalties, and a role in managing wildlife and the environment.

On April 1, 1999, Nunavut officially became Canada’s newest territory, representing the nation’s largest Aboriginal land claim settlement.

While the agreement established self-government, there were still huge gaps in infrastructure, housing and economic opportunities because of under-development, geographical isolation and lack of resources. The new implementation contract builds on the foundation of the original agreement.

“We want to make sure all programs actually lead to change that’s been long outstanding,” Lloyd added.  “A huge portion of the work over the next 10 years will be creating opportunities for Inuit to be better represented in all levels of government.”

The signing comes as Canada deals with U.S. tariff tensions and U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Canada should become the 51st state.

To help safeguard Canada’s Arctic sovereignty, the federal government recently announced plans to build military support hubs in Iqaluit, Yellowknife and Inuvik. These hubs will improve local infrastructure, communications, water and power systems. The government is investing $2.67 billion over 20 years in this project with the possibility of more hubs in future.

“With all the interests the world has in the Arctic right now,” said Tunraluk. “it’s very important we have good connection with the federal government and this implementation contract will definitely help us.”

Sonal Gupta,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Canada’s National Observer