NTI Board of Directors Funds TB Elimination, Hunters Support Program and Calls for long-term Inuit Child First Initiative

(March 21, 2025 – Iqaluit, Nunavut) The Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) Board of Directors met this week and invested in tuberculosis (TB) elimination, called for long-term Inuit Child First Initiative (ICFI) funding, and provided oversight to the renewed Implementation Contract.

TB Elimination Funding

Recognizing the urgent need for action, the Board approved a $4 million contribution to the Government of Nunavut (GN) for TB clinical care. The Board also approved NTI expenditures, including three-months of hampers for each client during their treatment, contributions to communities with outbreaks, and a campaign to address the stigma.

Financial Update

The Board approved NTI’s $29.4 million core-funded budget and a $2 million budget for the Nunavut Hunters Support Program, a 3.7% increase. A new Core Funding Model Policy was adopted, ensuring transparent, predictable and equitable funding for NTI, Regional Inuit Associations (RIAs), and the Inuit Heritage Trust (IHT). To enhance financial oversight, the Finance Committee will meet more frequently and review budget variance reports for NTI, the RIAs and IHT.

Inuit Child First Initiative (ICFI)

Earlier this month, the Government of Canada announced a one-year extension of the ICFI program. While NTI welcomes this news, key details of the one-year extension have yet to be communicated to Inuit, including the funding amount. A long- term funding commitment is essential to protecting the rights of Inuit children in Nunavut and ensuring access to essential government-funded health, social, and educational products, services, and supports.

Implementation Contract Renewal

The Board had its first public briefing on the renewed Implementation Contract and provided important oversight. NTI prioritized ensuring the Implementation Contract was evidence-based, utilizing economic reports and costing models determine its proposals. The Board had a detailed briefing on the pre-employment training strategy.

This landmark agreement secures $1.5 billion in funding over the contract’s term from 2024-2034, including:

• Training for Inuit Employment (Article 23) – $679.7M
• Hunters and Trappers Associations/Regional Wildlife Organizations – $211.9M
• Institutions of Public Governance – $338.9M
• NTI Institutional Capacity Funding – $118.3M
• Nunavut Heritage Centre – $50M
• GN non-article 23 Funding – $107M

A major focus of the contract is increasing Inuit employment in government. With Inuit making up 85% of the population yet holding only 50% of government jobs, this Contract is a vital tool to address this imbalance and create meaningful opportunities for Inuit within the public sector.

Through this renewed contract, Inuit can expect greater employment opportunities, stronger public governance, enhanced wildlife and heritage funding, and reinforced support for NTI and RIAs in implementing the Nunavut Agreement.

The Board originally planned to meet in Arviat, Nunavut, but due to weather conditions, the meeting was held virtually over three days.

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Media Contact:

Ivaluarjuk Merritt

Director of Communications

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.

media@tunngavik.com

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