Iqaluit, Nunavut - Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
Today, the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, and Natan Obed, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, announced a new Cabinet Directive on the Implementation of the Inuit Nunangat Policy.
Inuit are distinct rights-holding Indigenous Peoples with their own history and culture, and their homeland, Inuit Nunangat, is a distinct geographic, cultural, and political region. In an effort to address some of the disproportionate social and economic challenges experienced by Inuit, the Government of Canada co-developed the Inuit Nunangat Policy with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and Inuit Treaty Organizations through the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee.
Applying an Inuit Nunangat approach means that federal programs and policies that are intended to benefit Inuit are developed in a way that reflects Inuit priorities and are accessible to all regions of Inuit Nunangat. This approach has already informed important work like the renewal of the Northern Isolated Community Initiatives Fund (NICI), announced earlier this week. The Policy has guided the expansion of the fund to encompass all of Inuit Nunangat in addition to the territories, supporting initiatives that improve community food resiliency and diversify economic growth.
The Cabinet Directive announced today builds on the work that's already underway by setting out a clear path forward for implementing the Inuit Nunangat Policy across the federal government. It ensures the consistent application of the Policy across departments and agencies by defining roles, responsibilities, and accountability mechanisms to track progress and measure results.
As a next step, Inuit partners will also co-develop a guidance document to accompany the Policy and Cabinet Directive that will further support federal departments and agencies in implementing the Inuit Nunangat Policy when they create or update policies, programs and services.
Through this Policy and Cabinet Directive, the Government of Canada remains committed to upholding Inuit self-determination by recognizing and supporting Inuit leadership in determining their own futures and strengthening communities across Inuit Nunangat.
