July 24, 2025 — Inuvik, Northwest Territories
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami welcomes the appointment of Canada’s new Arctic Ambassador, Virginia Mearns, as announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney at the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee table in Inuvik, Northwest Territories.
The role of Arctic Ambassador is a key component of the government’s Arctic Foreign Policy, launched in December 2024. ITK looks forward to working with Ambassador Mearns to contribute to important discussions around Arctic security and sovereignty, economic development, reconciliation and other Inuit priorities.
“Virginia’s knowledge and experience make her an ideal choice,” said Natan Obed, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and Acting President of Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada. “As Arctic Ambassador, she is well-placed to help other nation states understand the way in which Canada asserts its sovereignty, its relationship with Inuit and other Indigenous Peoples who live in the Arctic.”
Mearns, who is an Inuk from Nunavut, was most recently Senior Director of Inuit Relations at Qikiqtani Inuit Association. She has also held executive roles with Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and the Government of Nunavut.
ITK, along with Inuit Treaty Organizations and Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada, played an important role in the co-development of the Arctic Foreign Policy. Inuit leadership looks forward to working closely with the Government of Canada to fully implement the policy.
Canada’s Arctic sovereignty is founded on Inuit land use and occupancy. The Arctic is central to Canada’s national identity, prosperity and security. Inuit Nunangat forms the vast majority of what Canada defines as Arctic, spanning 40 per cent of Canada’s land mass and the entirety of its Arctic coastline.
