Inuit demand better partnership from Canada or will seek international allies

Canada's national Inuit organization is urging the federal government to foster a more collaborative relationship, emphasizing the need to uphold Inuit rights to self-determination and governance. Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) concluded a two-day Arctic sovereignty conference in Ottawa with a strong statement rejecting what they term "outdated, colonial approaches to Arctic policy."

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We call on the federal government to partner with Inuit in advancing a more ambitious vision for its Arctic territory by prioritizing improved coordination with Inuit rights holders in decision-making, and the investments in the infrastructure and services needed to create prosperity and bring the entirety of Inuit Nunangat into the rest of the country.

ITK called on Ottawa to partner with Inuit in developing a more ambitious vision for its Arctic territory. This includes prioritizing better coordination with Inuit rights holders in decision-making processes and investing in the necessary infrastructure and services to promote prosperity across Inuit Nunangat, the Inuit homeland. The organization stressed that achieving these objectives requires genuine partnership with the four Inuit Treaty Organizations representing all Inuit.

In response, a spokesperson for Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty affirmed the government's commitment to advancing Inuit self-determination, calling Inuit "essential partners" in building a strong and prosperous Arctic. The spokesperson highlighted that meaningful engagement with Inuit rights holders is fundamental to shared goals like Arctic sovereignty, security, economic development, and community well-being.

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Inuit are essential partners in building a strong, secure, and prosperous Arctic. Meaningful engagement with Inuit rights holders is fundamental to achieving shared objectives, including Arctic sovereignty, security, economic development, and community well-being.

However, ITK president Natan Obed expressed concerns about the current federal approach. While acknowledging a positive relationship, he noted a significant shift in how Ottawa involves Inuit in decisions affecting their territories. Obed cited the government's decision not to engage in "deep consultation" with Inuit before announcing defense investments and the planned Northern Operational Support Hub network as examples. "We were informed and asked if we could come celebrate with the Government of Canada when they announced them," Obed stated, emphasizing that Inuit were not integral to these crucial conversations despite the projects being in their homeland.

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We were informed and asked if we could come celebrate with the Government of Canada when they announced them. We are not an essential part of those conversations, even though they are in our homeland.

Obed concluded by stating that while Canada remains the preferred partner, Inuit will explore other avenues if their partnership is not respected. "If the partnership with Canada is not on the table, if we are not going to be respected partners, then should we not be looking for other partners as well to uphold our interests," he remarked. He clarified this was a practical consideration, not a threat.

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If the partnership with Canada is not on the table, if we are not going to be respected partners, then should we not be looking for other partners as well to uphold our interests.