Devolution partners launch employment and training initiative in partnership with Royal Roads University

July 23, 2025

Empowering Inuit leadership in Nunavut Devolution with customized on-the-job training certificate program.

Building a representative and skilled workforce to manage and steward lands, waters, and resources is a cornerstone of the Nunavut Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement. The Government of Canada (GoC), Government of Nunavut (GN), and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI), today announced the launch of a unique on-the-job training certificate program, developed in collaboration with Royal Roads University (RRU) to provide training for Nunavut Inuit interested in Devolution-related employment.

The Namminiqsurniq Professional Project Administrator Program (NPPA) for Devolution provides 12 Nunavut Inuit with full-time, indeterminate employment, which includes paid training, and housing benefits with the Government of Canada. While preparing for future indeterminate roles within the Government of Nunavut upon transfer on April 1, 2027, positions will be held in the Nunavut Regional Office (NRO) at Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC).

Participants in this program will spend seven months as full-time learners followed by nine months as employees undergoing on-the-job training in the NRO, building the required knowledge and skills for positions responsible for the management and stewardship of lands, waters, and resources in Nunavut.

This program is an essential component of the Transitional Human Resources Development Strategy for Devolution (the Strategy). With this training, the GoC is providing the stability of indeterminate employment, including full salary and benefits, as well as an immersive, inclusive learning experience delivered in Nunavut by an accredited university.

These positions will be seamlessly transferred to the GN as part of the Devolution agreement, ensuring the GN is equipped with an experienced and representative workforce to begin managing these new responsibilities immediately upon official transfer on April 1, 2027.

Inuit have been stewards of their lands, waters and resources since time immemorial, and this program is designed to supplement lived and professional experience and knowledge with technical skills and practical understandings related to the administrative responsibilities for lands, waters and resource management in Nunavut. Eligibility for this program is a high school diploma (or equivalent) and one year of relevant work experience, or equivalencies.

Inuit enrolled under the Nunavut Agreement across Canada can apply. A combination of education and work experience will be considered. Applications are now open.

Learners in this program will also become part of the Inunnguqsaivik Learning Community, a learning support initiative developed as part of the Strategy to provide learners with access to a suite of academic and personal supports to ensure they have the resources they need for success. Inunnguqsaivik is currently supporting nearly 150 Nunavut Inuit on their learning journeys toward devolution-related careers.

Devolution reflects and supports the priorities of Nunavut, providing decision-making authority on lands, waters, and resources, and opening the door to associated economic benefits to the territory. By supporting unique and practical training initiatives that are responsive to the realities and needs of Nunavut Inuit learners, all parties are working towards the development of a representative workforce, a smooth transition of responsibilities, and a strong vision for a self-reliant Nunavut.

Quotes

“Investing in Inuit-led training is another essential step to support Nunavut Devolution and the transfer of responsibilities, creating a strong public service that will support Inuit to make their own decisions and lead their own communities. Through this program, we are helping to build the skilled workforce needed to manage lands and resources in Nunavut, by Nunavummiut, for Nunavummiut.”

The Honourable Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs

“The Government of Nunavut is working to ensure we are prepared to take on responsibilities for managing natural resources through devolution. A key part of this effort is supporting programs that provide Inuit with targeted training and employment opportunities, helping to build a representative public service and ensuring Inuit play a central role in decisions about the management of Nunavut’s natural resources. This initiative is an important step in preparing Inuit for devolving positions and reflects the strong partnership between the Government of Nunavut, the Government of Canada, and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.”

Premier P.J. Akeeagok, Government of Nunavut

“I encourage Nunavut Inuit to apply to this exciting program. It will provide training on the job for work in land, water and resource management. Inuit in these jobs will contribute to making policies and decisions about land, water and resources align Inuit priorities and way of life. Further, I am very encouraged with the Government of Canada and Royal Roads University’s partnership and creative solution to train Inuit towards a representative workforce.”

President Jeremy Tunraluk, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.

“Royal Roads University is honoured to be a partner in the Namminiqsurniq Certificate Program aimed at supporting Nunavut’s historic journey toward self-determination through the Devolution Agreement. Designed in collaboration with Inuit, this training and employment opportunity blends Inuit values, knowledge, and leadership with public administration training to help build an empowered and representative public service for the important responsibility of managing Nunavut’s natural resources.”

President and Vice-Chancellor Philip Steenkamp, Royal Roads University

Background on Devolution in Nunavut

In August 2019, an Agreement in Principle (AIP) was signed by the three parties, establishing a pathway for the devolution of responsibilities associated with the stewardship and management of Nunavut public lands, waters, and resources in Nunavut from the federal government to the GN.

The agreement led to the development of the Transitional Human Resources Development Strategy for Devolution. Its main objective is to maximize Inuit employment at all levels within the complement of positions that will be created in the GN as a result of devolution, while monitoring the GN’s human resource capacity to discharge the responsibilities it receives from the GoC. The Inunnguqsaivik Learning Community was created to help achieve the goals and objectives of this strategy, by providing learners who are interested in a career in land and resource management with the personal and academic supports needed to be successful in learning journeys in relevant fields.

Individuals who are interested in a career in land stewardship and resource management can email inunnguqsaivik@gov.nu.ca. For more information, including an online intake form and the Inunnguqsaivik Academic Navigator resource, can be found on the Inunnguqsaivik Learning Community webpage.

The Transitional Human Resources Development Strategy for Devolution can be found on the Government of Nunavut website.

Background on Royal Roads University

Situated on the traditional Lands of the Lekwungen-speaking Peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations and at one of Canada’s most beautiful National Historic Sites – Vancouver Island’s Hatley Park – RRU has a long history of excellence.

As Canada’s university for changemakers, RRU delivers a transformative experience to students across the country and around the world. Delivering applied learning through a cohort model – both on-campus and online – ensures our students have a resource of like-minded peers to collaborate with and learn from. Even after graduation, these groups continue to support each other – it’s a learning model that is truly life changing, offering not only a professional transformation, but a personal one as well.

Our graduate, undergraduate and certificate programs uniquely position RRU alumni to lead us through the world’s most complex challenges – climate emergencies, political unrest, rapidly advancing technologies. Through learned resiliency, adaptability and leadership, our alumni take lessons from the classroom and apply them to the real world, transforming industries, economies, and communities.

Contact

Government of Nunavut
Casey Lessard
Director of Communications
CLessard2@gov.nu.ca
867-223-0422

Government of Canada
CIRNAC Media Relations
RCAANC.Media.CIRNAC@sac-isc.gc.ca
819-934-2302

Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated
Ivaluarjuk Merritt
Director, Communications
IMerritt@tunngavik.com

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