Harper Government will invest a total of $1,184,400 through the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) in two projects that will preserve Inuit culture, increase jobs, build capacity, and diversify Nunavut's economy.
CanNor Funding: $567,400 over two years
This investment will support the ongoing implementation of the Sanaugait and Ukkusiksaqtarvik strategies for growth in Nunavut's arts and crafts sector over the next two years. Planned activities include:
- equipping Nunavut artists with business information about copyright, marketing, and funding programs using modern media that better suits the traditional oral culture;
- ongoing support for a travelling Nunavut Art Bank;
- enhancing the “Authentic Nunavut” brand through targeted advertising;
- continuing to develop the Nunavut artist database;
- evaluating the economic impact of Nunavut's arts and crafts sector and the Sanaugait strategy to help establish a long-term arts policy in the territory; and
- conducting a feasibility study under the Ukkusiksaqtarvik strategy to create a supply chain for carving stone in six communities.
CanNor Funding: $617,000 over two years
This funding will be used to develop local film production skills and marketing strategies, including promoting Nunavut as a film location. Specific initiatives include the following:
- training for residents in the Qikitani, Kivalliq, and Kitikmeot regions to equip them with film production skills to work with local, national, and international production companies who come to Nunavut to film;
- supporting participation at national and international film festivals, trade shows, and industry events to promote Nunavut as a unique and feasible locale for film making and production;
- creating marketing materials targeted at the film and television sector to promote Nunavut as a world-class film production centre with a trained local labour force on-site;
- conducting information sessions to introduce producers and co-production partners to Nunavut to demonstrate how they can successfully film in this region.
These investments are made possible through CanNor's Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) program, which focuses on long-term economic growth, economic diversification and capacity building in all three territories.
SINED is one of several economic development programs within CanNor. CanNor is responsible for coordinating and delivering Canada's economic development across the North, and for related policy development, research and advocacy.