The Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami Annual General Meeting took place by videoconference this week, with participants from all regions of Inuit Nunangat. The videoconference tested the bandwidth limitations of many representatives, spread across multiple time zones from Inuvik and Ulukhaktok in the west to Nain and Postville in the east.
The Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Emergency Response Plan includes $305 million for a distinctions-based Indigenous Community Support Fund, which includes $45 million to address immediate needs for products and services in Inuit communities.
The inaugural issue in the quarterly research briefing series focuses on potentially unique risks and impacts of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) and the coronavirus pandemic on Inuit living in Inuit Nunangat, the Inuit homeland.
If Inuit children experience unmet needs related to COVID-19, families can submit a request to the Inuit Child First Initiative to seek additional support.
Under a new partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami is the proud recipient of a $1 million contribution from the Foundation’s COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Program. The funds will be used to address critical needs of Inuit students across Canada.
There are several economic supports available to individuals, families, children and businesses. Some are specific to the COVID-19 pandemic response period. Others are longstanding programs available to Inuit that now also address COVID-19 related concerns.
Una tusaratsauliangusimajuq Natan Obed−mut, Angijuqqaangat Inuit Tapiriit Kanatamikkut, pijjutiqaqsuni Puvallunnaqtuq Nuvajjuarnaq−19
ᐅᓇ ᑐᓴᕋᑦᓴᐅᓕᐊᖑᓯᒪᔪᖅ ᓇᑖᓐ ᐆᕙᑦ−ᒧᑦ, ᐊᖏᔪᖅᑳᖓᑦ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᑕᐱᕇᑦ ᑲᓇᑕᒥᒃᑯᑦ, ᐱᔾᔪᑎᖃᖅᓱᓂ ᐳᕙᓪᓗᓐᓇᖅᑐᖅ ᓄᕙᔾᔪᐊᕐᓇᖅ−19
The following is a message from Natan Obed, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, related to COVID-19
During this unprecedented time, ITK would like to recognize organizations working to support Inuit living outside Inuit Nunangat for their continued efforts to ensure the safety, security and well-being of Inuit. ITK is committed to ensuring that COVID-19 response measures include all Inuit in Canada, including those living outside of the four land claims regions.
ITK is calling for air transportation to be designated an essential service in Inuit Nunangat for the duration of the COVID-19 response. In winter and spring, airline travel routes are lifelines, the equivalent to roads and railways in southern Canada. They are the sole entry points for food, medicine and other essential supplies in all but two of 51 Inuit communities, and a critical means of travel for patients requiring advanced medical treatment.
The Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Emergency Response Plan includes $305 million for a distinctions-based Indigenous Community Support Fund, which includes $45 million to address immediate needs for products and services in Inuit communities.
Here are some best practices to keep you, your family and your community safe from COVID-19.
