Advancing Priorities of the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee
News release
June, 27, 2019 — Ottawa, Ontario — Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
Last week, federal ministers and elected Inuit leaders gathered for an Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee (ICPC) meeting to advance priority issues. The Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, Carolyn Bennett, and the President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Natan Obed, co-chaired the ICPC.
The ICPC is transforming the relationship between Inuit and the Crown. It is changing how the federal government and Inuit set priorities, how policies and programs are designed, and how the joint efforts of Inuit and the Crown are evaluated.
During last week's meeting, the ICPC adopted a joint work plan on infrastructure, a new priority area that will explore infrastructure needs within Inuit Nunangat, including broadband. Leaders also worked to improve food security by endorsing an approach for the implementation of the new Harvesters Support Grant.
Leaders adopted policy recommendations on Inuit education, kindergarten to grade twelve, to address the needs of Inuit children with disabilities, support language and culture programming, and the recruitment and retention of Inuit teachers. Leaders also adopted recommendations related to the delivery of Indigenous languages funding to help promote, protect and maintain Inuktut across Inuit Nunangat.
Participants at the Inuit Crown Partnership Committee meeting were:
President Natan Obed,
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
President Aluki Kotierk,
Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated
President Johannes Lampe,
Nunatsiavut Government
Chair and CEO Duane Smith,
Inuvialuit Regional Corporation
President Charlie Watt,
Makivik Corporation
The Hon. Carolyn Bennett,
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
The Hon. Seamus O'Regan,
Minister of Indigenous Services
The Hon. Pablo Rodriguez,
Minister of Canadian Heritage
Observers:
Vice-President Anne Curley,
Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada
President Crystal Martin-Lapenskie, National Inuit Youth Council
Quotes
"We are working in partnership with Inuit to recognize their rights and improve health, education and economic outcomes. The collaboration and cooperation between the Government of Canada, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and Inuit Land Claims Organizations will continue to be fundamental to advancing the journey of reconciliation."
The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
"The Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee is evidence that, when elected Inuit leaders sit with elected federal officials, we can make progress on Inuit priorities in a coordinated way. While the Committee is still relatively new, it marks a systemic evolution in how the federal government engages with Inuit as equal partners and we have already seen unprecedented progress and transparency on matters critical to Inuit health and well-being."
Natan Obed
President, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
Quick facts
-
On February 9, 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami Natan Obed announced the creation of the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee to advance shared priorities.
-
The Inuit Nunangat Declaration was signed by ministers of the Government of Canada and the leadership of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Makivik Corporation, the Nunatsiavut Government, and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated as partners in the creation of prosperity for Inuit which benefits all Canadians.
-
Through Budget 2018, the Government of Canada is investing $400 million over 10 years to support the implementation of the Inuit Nunangat Housing Strategy, including new construction and repairs of housing units in Nunavik, Nunatsiavut, and Inuvialuit. This is in addition to the $240 million over 10 years announced in Budget 2017 to support housing in Nunavut.
Associated links
Contacts
For more information, media may contact:
Matthew Dillon-Leitch
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
819-997-0002
Media Relations
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
819-934-2302
RCAANC.media.CIRNAC@canada.ca
Stay connected
Join the conversation about Indigenous peoples in Canada:
Twitter: GovCan – Indigenous
Facebook: GovCan – Indigenous Peoples
Instagram: @gcIndigenous
You can subscribe to receive our news releases and speeches via RSS feeds. For more information or to subscribe, visit www.cirnac.gc.ca/RSS.