Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee and ITK Board of Directors in Inuvik
This week, IRC Chair and CEO Duane Smith held meetings in Inuvik with both the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee and the ITK Board of Directors.
As part of the ICPC meetings, Federal Cabinet Ministers Lametti (Justice Canada) and Miller (Crown-Indigenous Relations) joined Chair Smith and Inuit Leadership across Inuit Nunangat to discuss key initiatives to enhance quality of life in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region and for all Inuvialuit.
Attending virtually were:
- Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs
- Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services
- Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Heritage
- Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport
- Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence
- Mona Fortier, President of Treasury Board
During these three full days of meetings, IRC had the opportunity to showcase a sample of its various Beneficiary programs and key business initiatives with a visit to Reindeer Station (including Health and Wellness staff), the IRC Country Foods Processing Facility (with ICEDO staff providing a country food barbecue), a tour of the ongoing construction of IDC’s brand new 17-unit apartment complex (led by IDC staff), a staff meet-and-greet showcasing all of IRC’s departments and Beneficiary programs, and a drum dance performance by the Inuvik Drummers and Dancers.
These meetings resulted in significant commitments from the federal government in new funding for housing in the ISR, new early learning and childcare programs, and commitments to climate change and environmental monitoring initiatives.
Quyanainni, Quyanaq, Koana to all who helped to make this week a huge success for IRC and Inuvialuit everywhere. A special thanks to ITK leaders and federal ministers for making the trip to the Inuvialuit Settlement Region and getting a glimpse of the incredible landscape and life our region has to offer.
