The Government of Canada is working with Northern Indigenous partners to strengthen food security and ensure Nutrition North Canada (NNC) better meets their needs.
Today, the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs and Minister responsible for CanNor, announced the appointment of Aluki Kotierk as the Minister's Special Representative (MSR) to conduct an external review of NNC. While welcoming Ms. Kotierk, Minister Anandasangaree announced that up to $20 million has been set aside to meet the increasing food security challenges facing children and families under the Nutrition North Canada (NNC) program.
Aluki Kotierk, an Inuk leader from Iqaluit, Nunavut has dedicated her career to integrating Inuit culture and language into public programs and services - ensuring they resonate with and benefit Inuit communities. Originally from Igloolik, Ms. Kotierk has held several senior positions within the Government of Nunavut and was most recently the former president of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated. She is also a standing member of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
As the Minister's Special Representative, Ms. Kotierk is independent of the public service and will report directly to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs. The MSR's mandate is to meet with national and regional Indigenous organizations, retailers, transportation providers and stakeholders, including relevant federal government organizations to evaluate NNC's effectiveness, and to make recommendations on how to improve the program. A final report is expected to be delivered in 2026.
As a result of considerable program uptake, the funding that has been set aside is key to help maintain current subsidy rates which lower the price of food in the North. This funding will assist in continuing to deliver the program in supporting northern food security, sustaining constructive relationships with Indigenous partners, and advancing self-determined, community-focused food security initiatives.
