Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᑕᐱᕇᑦ ᑲᓇᑕᒥ

Map of ITK showing the four constituent regions of Inuit Nunangat: Inuvialuit Nunangat, Nunavut, Nunavik, and Nunatsiavut
Abbreviation	ITK
Formation	1971
Type	Inuit organization
Legal status	active
Purpose	advocate and public voice, educator and network
Headquarters	Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Region served	Canada
Membership	Inuvialuit Nunavut Nunavik Nunatsiavut
Official language	English, Inuktitut
President	Natan Obed

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (which means "Inuit are united in Canada") is a group in Canada. It used to be called the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada. This organization helps over 65,000 Inuit people across Inuit Nunangat and other parts of Canada.

Their main goal is to be a national voice for Inuit. They work to protect and advance the rights and interests of Inuit in Canada.

Inuit leaders started this group in 1971. Since then, it has helped with many important Inuit goals. These include helping to negotiate land claims and sharing Inuit culture through television. They also take legal action when Inuit rights are not respected. The ITK also created programs to make education better for Inuit children.

The ITK works with the government or sometimes against it to reach its goals. Overall, the ITK speaks up for Inuit people in Canada. Their work even helped create Nunavut.

History of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

Inuit community, Pond Inlet. In the past, community decisions were made by everyone together.

Why ITK Was Needed

Before Europeans arrived, Inuit chose leaders based on their survival skills. Often, the oldest male took this role. But important decisions were usually made by the whole group.

As more people became interested in Canada's north, more development happened. This meant more non-Inuit people moved to northern Canada. These newcomers often held important jobs in government and industries. These jobs usually needed a Western education. This gave southern Canadians an advantage over the Inuit.

More southern Canadians moving north also wanted goods from the south. This made traditional Inuit knowledge and survival skills seem less important to the newcomers. This led to unfairness between Inuit and non-Inuit people in the north. This unfairness was both social and economic.

By the 1960s, there was a push to include Inuit in politics and government jobs. Examples include the Government of the Northwest Territories and local councils. The Baffin Regional Council was a strong example, run mostly by Inuit.

But Inuit still worried about not having enough control over their lives. They were also concerned about policies that tried to make them change their culture. There were also growing limits on their traditional lands. In 1969, a plan called the White Paper was suggested. It aimed to end Indigenous status under the Indian Act and make Indigenous peoples fit into Canadian society. Because of these worries, the need for an Inuit political group grew stronger.

The Indian-Eskimo Association (IEA) also shared these concerns. The IEA was a group of southern Canadian teachers, church leaders, and government workers. They supported issues important to First Nations and Inuit. The IEA wanted Indigenous peoples to speak up for their own goals.

With the IEA's help and money, the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada (ITC) was founded. In 1970, the IEA held a meeting in Coppermine (now Kugluktuk). Inuit from across Canada's Arctic met to discuss shared concerns. From this meeting, a message was sent to Prime Minister Trudeau. It asked for recognition of indigenous land rights in the north. This was the first time Inuit had sent such a united message to the Canadian government.

How ITK Started

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, then called the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada (ITC), started in 1971. Seven Inuit community leaders founded it at an IEA meeting in Toronto. These leaders were Noah Qumak, Jacob Oweetaluktuk, Celestino Makpah, Josiah Kadlusiak, Ipeele KìLabuk, Tagak Curley, and Mary Cousins.

They decided to form a national Inuit organization. Their goal was to speak with one voice to the Government of Canada. They wanted to discuss land and resource ownership in Inuit Nunangat. They also wanted to gain more control over their own lives.

Big projects like the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline and the James Bay Project threatened Inuit Nunangat. So, leaders decided to act. Inuit Nunangat includes four regions today: the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (northern Northwest Territories and Yukon), Nunavut, Nunavik (northern Quebec), and Nunatsiavut (northern Labrador).

Inuit culture has stayed strong across Inuit Nunangat. About 60% of the people still speak Inuktut. This is the name for several Inuit languages and dialects. They also get traditional foods by hunting marine mammals and caribou. ITK represents 51 communities and the 65,000 Inuit living in Inuit Nunangat.

The creation of groups like ITK and the Committee for Original Peoples' Entitlement (COPE) led to more Inuit organizations. These include the Northern Quebec Inuit Association (NQIA), founded in 1971. The Labrador Inuit Association (LIA) started in 1973. The Kitikmeot Inuit Association, the Keewatin (now Kivalliq) Inuit Association, and the Baffin Regional (now Qikiqtani) Inuit Association all began in the mid-1970s.

Later in 1971, the first conference was held in Ottawa, Ontario. ITK has had its main office in Ottawa since 1972.

In 2001, the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada changed its name. It became Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. This change happened after the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement-in-Principle was signed. The Government of Canada and the Labrador Inuit Association signed this land claims agreement. It confirmed Inuit ownership of their land. It also helped them become more self-sufficient in their communities.

Tagak Curley: A Founding Leader

Tagak Curley was born in 1944 on Southampton Island, Nunavut. He is an Inuk politician and a strong supporter of Inuit rights. Curley was one of the people who started ITK. He was also its first president.

He grew up living a traditional Inuit lifestyle. He had strong connections to the land and his culture. Before becoming ITK president, he worked on issues like housing in Inuit communities. From 1966 to 1970, he worked for the government department dealing with Indigenous relations. After that, he managed a settlement in Naujaat for a year.

Curley was a successful president for four years. He achieved many things. Most notably, he led the effort to change the term Eskimo to Inuit in all official Canadian documents. He later worked in politics. In 1979, Curley ran in the federal election but did not win.

Protecting Inuit Rights in the Constitution

In 1979, the ITC created the Inuit Committee on National Issues (ICNI). This group was formed to share Inuit views on the Canadian constitution and other important policies. The ICNI was part of a larger group called the Aboriginal Rights Coalition.

In 1981, this coalition successfully convinced leaders to put Section 35 back into the Constitution. This section protects Indigenous and treaty rights in Canada's main law. At a 1983 meeting, it was agreed to hold three more meetings to discuss Indigenous constitutional matters. The ICNI was at these meetings. The ICNI stopped working after these meetings when its funding ended.

The Creation of Nunavut

Map of Nunavut

As early as 1976, the ITC presented its first Inuit land claims proposal. This proposal was not just about land. It also asked for a new territory to be created. This meant settling land claims and creating a new political area at the same time. This first proposal was turned down because it was too complicated.

Another proposal was made in 1977 by the NWT Inuit Land Claims Commission (ILCC). This proposal was stopped due to political disagreements. This led to the ILCC being closed down. In 1979, the Nunavut Land Claims Project (NLCP) continued the land claims process.

At an ITC meeting that same year, members agreed to a plan called Political Development in Nunavut. This was a land claims proposal that combined ideas from earlier plans. In 1982, the Tunngavik Federation of Nunavut (TFN) was formed. Its job was to take over land claims talks from the NLCP.

In 1990, an agreement was reached. This led to the 1993 approval of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. It also led to the Nunavut Act, which created the territory of Nunavut. The TFN was replaced by the Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI). The NTI, along with the Nunavut Implementation Commission, worked to put this new land claim into action. This happened before Nunavut was officially created in 1999.

The Nunavut Land Claims Agreement is the largest and most complete land claims and self-determination agreement in Canadian history.

ITK's Goals

The goals of ITK have changed over time as they have made progress in defending Inuit rights. At first, the group mainly focused on protecting Inuit land. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Inuit negotiated four land claim agreements with the federal government.

• In 1975, the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement was reached.
• In 1984, the Inuvialuit Final Agreement was reached.
• In 1993, the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement was settled.
• Finally, in 2003, the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement was settled.

Land claims are still important to ITK. But they have also started to focus on social issues for Inuit. These include keeping their culture and Inuit languages alive. They also raise awareness about education, healthcare, the environment, climate change, and economic development.

Inuit organizations like the ITK have helped create a partnership with the Government of Canada. This partnership allows them to discuss issues important to Inuit in Canada and around the world.

What ITK Does

Protecting Hunting Rights

In 1979, the ITC tried to stop mining activities at Baker Lake, Northwest Territories. The Baker Lake Hunters and Trappers Association, the ITC, and 112 Inuit living there took the Canadian federal government to court. This case was called Hamlet of Baker Lake v. Minister of Indian Affairs.

The case raised questions about Indigenous rights. Specifically, it was about their right to hunt caribou. The Inuit wanted to stop the mining. They also wanted a declaration that Baker Lake was subject to an Inuit right to hunt and fish. The judge recognized that Aboriginal Title existed in Nunavut.

Inuit Broadcasting

In the late 1970s, the ITC started the Inukshuk Project. This project was named after the Inuksuk. It was the first time Inuit were involved in broadcast television. In April 1974, the government decided that all Canadian communities with at least 500 people would get TV in English or French.

James Arvaluk, who was ITK president at the time, disagreed with this decision. He felt it did not include enough local Inuit voices. So, they started the Inukshuk Project. It was for the Inuit population. It allowed them to talk about important issues and share information in their own language.

From the Inukshuk Project, the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) was created in 1980. The IBC is a TV company based in Nunavut. Most of its programs are in Inuktitut. The IBC has hired some of Nunavut's most famous media people and leaders.

High Arctic Relocation Report

In 1990, the ITC complained to the government about the relocation of Inuit families. In 1953 and 1955, the Canadian Government moved families from Inukjuak in Northern Quebec to the far north. This was part of the High Arctic relocation.

The government department found that the Canadian Government had acted properly. They would not apologize for moving the Inuit. The ITC then asked the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) to investigate.

The ITC asked for three things:

• Recognition of the Inuit's help in Canada's claim to the High Arctic.
• An apology for the difficulties Inuit faced in Grise Fiord and Resolute.
• Money to make up for the wrongs done to them.

The CHRC report suggested that the government should thank the Inuit who were moved. It also recommended an apology for poor planning of the relocation. Finally, it said the government should admit it promised those Inuit who wanted to return to Northern Quebec the chance to do so within three years.

Improving Inuit Education

In 1976, the ITK first proposed land claims to the federal government. Improving education was a key part of this proposal. The National Strategy on Inuit Education was launched in 2006 by Mary Simon, a former ITK President. This plan aimed to improve education for Inuit and make it equal to the rest of Canada. It led to a summit in the Northwest Territories in 2008 about Inuit education.

The strategy's goal is to help Inuit children feel confident in their language, culture, and future chances. Less than 25% of Inuit students who start school actually graduate. The strategy lists three main areas to improve education across Inuit Nunangat:

• Helping children stay in school.
• Providing a bilingual curriculum. This means learning to read and write in the Inuit language and one of Canada's official languages. It also means using learning materials that fit Inuit culture, history, and worldview.
• Increasing the number of education leaders and bilingual teachers in schools and early childhood programs.

Working with the Government

In February 2017, the ITK and the Government of Canada created the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee (ICPC). This committee aims to work on goals that are important to both the Inuit and the Canadian government.

The Prime Minister and the ITK president lead one meeting each year. Other yearly meetings are led by the ITK president and the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations. Other members include federal ministers and leaders from the four regional land claims organizations. Youth, women's, and international Inuit groups also join as observers.

The ICPC focuses on several areas:

• Inuit-Crown land claims.
• Policies for Inuit Nunangat.
• Bringing back, keeping, protecting, and promoting Inuktut (Inuit languages).
• Steps towards reconciliation.
• Education, early learning, and training.
• Health and well-being.
• The environment and climate change.
• Housing and infrastructure.
• Economic development.
• New laws.

To fight climate change, the ITK has a national strategy with five areas: building skills, health and environment, food systems, infrastructure, and energy. The federal government has promised $1 million for this plan. In March 2020, they also focused on creating a plan to address the calls for justice from the National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Canada Goose Project

Canada Goose is a well-known Canadian brand that sells winter clothes. These include jackets, hats, and parkas. Many famous people wear this brand.

In 2019, Canada Goose and ITK agreed to work together. This partnership is called Project Atigi. Twenty Inuit designers create parka designs for this project. These designs are inspired by traditional Inuit clothing and culture. There will be more collections in the future, with Inuit designers chosen by ITK.

How ITK is Governed

ITK is run by a board of directors and a president. The board of directors includes presidents from four regional Inuit land claims organizations: Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, Makivik Corporation, Nunatsiavut Government, and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation. Each director gets one vote. Each organization chooses one director for the board.

A director is removed if they are under 18, declared unable by a court, or declared bankrupt. There are also three non-voting members on the board: the National Inuit Youth Council (NIYC), Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC Canada), and Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada.

The ITK president serves for three years. They can serve more terms if re-elected. The president must get most of the votes from the vice-president, member representatives, and delegates. Each of these people has one vote. To become a candidate for president, an Inuk person must submit a written request. This request must be signed by at least 20 other Inuit. It must be given to the executive director at least 20 days before the meeting.

The ITK board manages and oversees all of ITK's activities. They can borrow money for ITK. They can also issue or sell ITK's debt. They can guarantee someone else's promise on behalf of ITK. They can also use ITK's property as security for any of ITK's promises.

The president's duties include attending meetings of members, the board, and officers. They carry out the board's decisions and directions. They also oversee ITK's daily activities. The president usually lives in Ottawa, unless the board says otherwise.

The vice-president is the current president of the Inuit Circumpolar Council (Canada). The vice-president takes on the president's duties when the president is away. They also support the president.

The secretary/treasurer holds office for one year and is chosen by the board. They work with the president and vice-president. They are in charge of ITK's money and administration. The executive director manages ITK's daily operations.

Current ITK President Natan Obed

Terry Audla was elected President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami on June 6, 2012. Natan Obed took over from him. Obed was elected with 54% of the votes on September 17, 2015, in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. Natan Obed was re-elected for another three-year term in 2018, in Inuvik, Northwest Territories.

Presidents of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami