Minister Leona Aglukkaq Announces Funding to the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation

News Release

Film and Video Archive will help preserve and share Inuit heritage

January 20, 2015 – Iqaluit – Department of Canadian Heritage

The Government of Canada is providing $447,808 in funding to the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) for the construction of the Inuit Film and Video Archive in the Nunavut Media Arts Centre, as well as for the purchase of specialized electronic archival equipment. The funding is provided through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister for the Arctic Council and Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, made this announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

Quick Facts

The Inuit Film and Video Archive will consolidate and preserve the IBC’s extensive collection of historic Inuit film and video and make it accessible on site and through a new web portal.
The collection records the transition from dog teams to digital phones, the division of the territories, the creation of key national Inuit organizations, the concept and signing of Inuit land claims, the creation of Nunavut, and the evolution of a new political and socio-cultural environment.
This new space will meet current archival standards and building codes and provide staff, students, artists, researchers and the general public with a safe, comfortable and modern workspace.

Quotes

“The North and its people have helped shape and define Canada and its place in the world. We are pleased to invest in this initiative because it will help preserve the Inuit story so that it can continue to be shared with all Canadians.”

—The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

“Our Government is proud to support a project that helps promote and protect Inuit language, culture, society and tradition. In addition to helping preserve the IBC’s extensive collection, this project will help make historic film and video shot by Inuit since the 1970s accessible to all Nunavummiut.”

—The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister for the Arctic Council and Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

“We are grateful for the support of the Government of Canada. The Inuit Film and Video Archive will ensure the protection and accessibility of an irreplaceable cultural treasure of significant value to Inuit and to many others the world over.”

—Madeleine d’Argencourt, Chair, Inuit Broadcasting Corporation