Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami celebrates historic investment in Inuit Nunangat University

Ottawa, November 27, 2024 – Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami announced today that its vision for an Inuit-led university in Inuit Nunangat has gained significant momentum through a partnership and historic $50 million investment from the Mastercard Foundation, the largest private donation made to Inuit. This contribution will fund key startup elements of Inuit Nunangat University, a first-of-its-kind institution dedicated to providing world-class, university education in the Inuit homeland.

“Development of Inuit Nunangat University has been driven by our determination to assert leadership over our own higher education and research. A university in our homeland will remove barriers that prevent many Inuit from accessing post‐secondary education and equip them with degrees to support the needs of our communities,” said Natan Obed, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.

“I am thankful to Mastercard Foundation for supporting our work over the past several years and helping us build the framework for Inuit Nunangat University. Their contribution creates a timely opportunity and imperative for others to join this community of support and ensure we welcome students by 2030.”

BUILDING A COMMUNITY

This transformative investment allows ITK to build key capacity, advancing academic plans and course development, digital connectivity and enhanced community engagement. An ITK costing assessment has determined that $160 million from the public and private sectors is required to open a main campus and develop initial degree programs. ITK is seeking $50 million from the Government of Canada for the construction of the keystone building of the main campus.

“Inuit Nunangat University holds the promise to fundamentally transform the education system guided by the vision and values of Inuit,” said Jennifer Brennan, Senior Director, Canada Programs at the Mastercard Foundation. “This is exactly the kind of visionary approach that the Mastercard Foundation is honoured to support – post-secondary education that is culturally-grounded, accessible, and relevant. Inuit Nunangat University will deliver exceptional learning in the Inuit homeland creating new pathways to meaningful livelihoods for Inuit youth in support of healthy and vibrant Inuit communities.”

Inuit Nunangat University would be the first Inuit-governed and Inuit-owned university in Canada’s Arctic. It will span multiple jurisdictions to bridge the vast expanse of Inuit Nunangat, which encompasses 40 percent of Canada’s land area across two territories and two provinces. Efforts are underway to identify optimal sites within Inuit Nunangat to house a main campus and satellite knowledge centres.

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

The ultimate goal is to empower students through culturally grounded education to give back to their communities through innovative solutions and well-honed critical and creative thinking. Inuit students face enormous barriers to success in universities across Southern Canada. A university in the Inuit homeland would stimulate local economies by creating jobs, training professionals, and developing critical thinkers and leaders in sectors such as healthcare, governance, infrastructure and resource management, business and education.

About Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami is the national representational organization for Inuit in Canada, the majority of whom live in Inuit Nunangat, the Inuit homeland, encompassing 51 communities across the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (Northwest Territories) Nunavut, Nunavik (Northern Quebec) and Nunatsiavut (Northern Labrador). Inuit Nunangat makes up roughly 40 percent of Canada’s land area and 72 percent of its coastline.

About the Mastercard Foundation

The Mastercard Foundation is a registered Canadian charity and one of the largest foundations in the world. It works with visionary organizations to advance education and financial inclusion to enable young people in Africa and Indigenous youth in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. Established in 2006 through the generosity of Mastercard when it became a public company, the Foundation is an independent organization separate from the company, with offices in Toronto, Kigali, Accra, Nairobi, Kampala, Lagos, Dakar, and Addis Ababa. Its policies, operations, and program decisions are determined by the Foundation’s Board of Directors and leadership.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
Email: media@itk.ca
Phone: 613-292-4482

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