March 20, 2026 — Ottawa, ON
The Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami Board of Directors approved an Inuit Nunangat Poverty Reduction Strategy at their meeting in Ottawa this week. The Strategy is a commitment of the ITK Strategic Plan and is rooted in Inuit values and driven by a shared vision to eliminate poverty across the Inuit homeland. It will be prepared for public release in the coming months.
Members also approved guidance to the federal government on the development of a new, evidence-based food security program that meets the needs of Inuit. The Inuit-led Framework calls for Nutrition North Canada to be replaced with a program that is consistent with the Inuit Nunangat Policy and respects Inuit self-determination.
As part of discussions on Arctic security, sovereignty and defence, Members acknowledged ongoing work to ensure that Inuit benefit from increased defence investment, including in dual-use infrastructure. They also highlighted the need to be full participants in shaping Canada’s defence and security architecture in the Arctic, from providing better support to the Canadian Rangers to expanding Canadian Armed Forces presence across Inuit Nunangat.
They discussed ongoing work with the Prime Minister to convene an Inuit-specific First Ministers’ Meeting (IFMM) that proposes to include all of Canada’s Premiers, given that Inuit Nunangat encompasses two provinces and two territories and Inuit live in all jurisdictions across Canada. It would establish a new model for Inuit-federal-provincial-territorial relations that reflects Inuit democracy and the role of Inuit as partners in confederation.
They committed to strengthening the Inuit Crown Partnership Committee through greater focus on strategic priority areas that can drive meaningful investment in Inuit Nunangat. This approach reinforces the importance of ICPC’s work to remain responsive and deliver timely and practical outcomes.
They discussed ongoing work to develop a National Inuit Identity Card managed by Inuit that would help Inuit access services at the federal, provincial/territorial, municipal and international levels.
Finally, the Board welcomed its newest member, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation Chair and CEO, Erwin Elias, who was elected to his new role in January.
