• Inuvialuit harvesters assistance program (IHAP) application form

  • IHAP policies and procedures manual

 Photo used with permission: Animal Lucas

Important Dates

January 1 – IHAP opens

January 31 – IHAP closes

Feb 1 to 15 – Community application review

Feb 28 – Appeals and out of ISR applications close

Mar 1 to 15 – IHAP appeal committee meeting

April 1 – Cheque distribution

For more information contact the IHAP manager at 867.777.7045  email shendrick@inuvialuit.com.

About IHAP

  1. Renewable resource harvesting has and continues to be the cornerstone of Inuvialuit culture and society.
  2. Financially supporting Inuvialuit harvesters will strengthen their ability to continue traditional activities.
  3. Harvesting is a form of economic activity. It contributes to community wellbeing by creating financial worth.
  4. With the collapse of the fur trapping industry many Inuvialuit harvesting households have been faced with the increasing dependence on social assistance and other forms of government support.
  5. Educating and training younger Inuvialuit in the traditions of subsistence harvesting, preparation of skins and sewing skills will ensure that Inuvialuit culture will be preserved.
  6. Inuvialuit have the responsibility to manage wildlife and the environment in a sustainable manner.

Eligibility

  • Enrolled beneficiary under the IFA
  • A member in good standing with the community corporation (if living in an Inuvialuit community)
  • Free of indebtedness to the Inuvialuit Corporate Group
  • Preference will be given to Inuvialuit subsistence harvesters engaged in harvesting activities and showing demonstrated need for program support to continue or start harvesting
  • Preference will also be given to those harvesting applicants that regularly involve youth in their traditional harvesting activities

History of IHAP

In 1996, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC), following extensive consultation with Inuvialuit Game Council (IGC), entered into a $4.4 million agreement with Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) to develop and deliver a Harvesters Assistance Program for Inuvialuit. All funds were placed into an Inuvialuit Harvesters Assistance Trust Fund.   

Following the signing of this agreement a joint IRC/IGC working group was formed and the details of an Inuvialuit Harvesters Assistance Program (IHAP) were developed. Community corporations and hunters and trappers committees were consulted and the program received final approval by the IRC board on April 29, 1998.