December 6, 2024
OTTAWA – Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami’s Board of Directors approved a series of 14 recommendations to guide the strategic planning and development of Inuit Nunangat University during Board meetings Nov. 28 and 29 in Ottawa. As part of those recommendations, Board members endorsed a Charter and Academic Framework for the University; a process for selecting a community to host the main campus, as well as steps to create a University Trust. Inuit Nunangat University aims to welcome its first cohort of students in 2030.
Earlier, Board members allocated Budget 2024 Indigenous Housing and Community Infrastructure funding in the amount of $370 million, subject to Treasury Board approval. Directors also approved the allocation of $19.6 million to Inuit regions for the rollout of the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program, to support the installation of energy efficiency retrofits for lower income households.
Directors approved the allocation of $36 million in Budget 2024 funding to the Inuit Nunangat School Food Program, money that will help establish an Inuit-specific meal program to be implemented in the 75 schools across the Inuit homeland.
Board members also moved to allocate $11 million in National Inuit Suicide Prevention Strategy funding to support mental wellness in the four Inuit regions.
During last week’s meeting, Directors highlighted recent tuberculosis outbreaks in Inuit Nunangat communities and the need for continued federal budget support to meet the joint commitment to eliminate TB from Inuit communities by 2030. ITK has identified the need for $131.6 million to fund its ongoing work to meet that commitment.
ITK’s November Board meeting was the last one for Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated President Aluki Kotierk. Directors thanked Kotierk for her significant contributions to advancement of Inuit rights and language.
