The Kitikmeot Heritage Society and Canada partner to launch the Nunamiutuqaq - Building from the Land project

Cambridge Bay, Nunavut – Crown−Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC)

Today, the Pitquhirnikkut Ilihautiniq / Kitikmeot Heritage Society, the Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities announced the launch of the Nunamiutuqaq - Building from the Land project which will build capacity, awareness, and ownership of clean energy in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, and explore the challenges of developing and supporting long-term, sustainable infrastructure across the Canadian Arctic.

The main focus on Nunamiutuqaq is the construction of a 1,300 square-foot building that will bridge traditional Inuit knowledge and architecture with experimental technologies to create spaces that are culturally informed, scalable, and incorporate the newest advances in renewable energy and sustainable design.

Conceived as a self-contained cultural workspace, the building will facilitate traditional activities, such as meat and hide preparation, tool making, and sewing informed by the experiences and needs of community members and Elders. Nunamiutuqaq will be a welcoming place of belonging where all community members—especially women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people—can gather to explore and learn about their history, traditions, and culture.

This work is the first step towards the Kitikmeot Heritage Society's goal to build Kuugalak, a net-zero targeted cultural campus in Cambridge Bay, that would function as a hub for documenting and mobilizing culture and language research across Nunavut.

Between 2022 and 2024, the Government of Canada will provide $2,088,019 towards this project from Crown−Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada's (CIRNAC) Cultural Spaces in Indigenous Communities Program, the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and CIRNAC's Climate Change Preparedness in the North Program to enable ongoing geotechnical work for this cultural site. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities has also contributed $500,000 to the project through the Green Municipal Fund.

This transformative program will also support Indigenous Peoples in reclaiming their identity as part of their journey towards self-determination, which is a crucial step in advancing reconciliation and building relationships between Indigenous Peoples, governments, and all Canadians.

Quotes

"Hamna Kuugalaaq iglukhaq inikhaliurutauniarami Inuit pitquhigut uqauhigullu hulidjutikhangit havaanut ajuiqhaivikhaat Inuit tamainnut, nutaqqavut, inuuhuktuutivut inuuqatigiivullu ilihaqtaulutik inutuqavut, aturaarvikhangit upluq tamaat."

[English translation]
"The Kuugalaaq building will make a pathway for learning the Inuit culture and language through projects for all people: our children, young people and fellow Inuit. They will have a place where they can gain knowledge from our Elders every day."

– Emily Angulalik, Executive Director, Pitquhirnikkut Ilihautiniq / Kitikmeot Heritage Society

"The Nunamiutuqaq - Building from the Land will be a community hub that is safe and welcoming for women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. As community members gather, learn and share their traditional practices, they will strengthen Inuinnait knowledge for generations to come. I look forward to seeing this promising future unfold."

– The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations

"Our government continues to be a strong partner in supporting Indigenous cultural spaces and climate change adaptation efforts across the North and Arctic. The Nunamiutuqaq - Building from the Land project, helps build knowledge, awareness, community prosperity and resilience, as well as reconciliation with Inuit. I thank all partners for their work in bringing this project forward.

– The Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, and
Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

"I would like to congratulate all those involved in the Nunamiutuqaq - Building from the Land project. This is an important undertaking to support Inuit in their endeavours, including taking action to combat climate change and preserve traditional knowledge. The Government of Canada is pleased to support this vital work."

– The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources

"Communities of all sizes feel the impact of climate change firsthand, and they are showing leadership at a time when it's needed most. With support from the Green Municipal Fund, municipalities are implementing smart climate solutions that are vital to meeting Canada's climate goals. Through this partnership with the federal government and Indigenous Peoples, local governments can build greener and more resilient communities."

– Taneen Rudyk, President, Federation of Canadian Municipalities

Quick facts

• For this project, the Kitikmeot Heritage Society has received $2,088,019 from the Government of Canada for 2022 to 2024 from the following programs:

  • CIRNAC's Cultural Spaces in Indigenous Communities Program in the amount of $1,138,401
  • Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency's Canada Community Revitalization Fund in the amount of $766,018
  • CIRNAC's Climate Change Preparedness in the North Program in the amount of $183,600 to enable ongoing geotechnical work for this cultural site

• The Federation of Canadian Municipalities has also supported $500,000 to the project through the Green Municipal Fund, funded by the Government of Canada.

• Cultural Spaces in Indigenous Communities Program

  • This project, in part funded by the Cultural Spaces in Indigenous Communities Program, is part of the Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLBGTQQIA+ People, the Government of Canada's contribution to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLBGTQQIA+ People National Action Plan.
  • Budget 2021 invested $108.8 million over two years for the Cultural Spaces in Indigenous Communities Program.
  • Investing in cultural spaces is crucial to addressing the root causes of violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLBGTQQIA+ individuals, and to responding to Call for Justice 2.3. The Government of Canada will continue to work with Indigenous partners to create spaces such as Nunamiutuqaq.
  • The Government of Canada continues to work with provinces, territories, Indigenous organizations, families, survivors and communities across the country to make progress on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan.

• Climate Change Preparedness in the North Program

  • The Climate Change Preparedness in the North Program supports projects led by Indigenous and northern communities and governments to increase their capacity to adapt to climate change. This includes support to assess a community's vulnerability to climate change factors, such as changing ice conditions, permafrost degradation, coastal erosion, flooding, and wildfires on the natural environment and infrastructure portfolio.
  • To date, the Climate Change Preparedness in the North Program has invested approximately $53 million in 290 projects across the North.

• Canada Community Revitalization Fund

  • The Canada Community Revitalization Fund aims to help communities across Canada build and improve community infrastructure projects so they can rebound from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. With a national investment of $500 million over two years, the fund supports not-for-profit organizations, municipalities and other community groups, as well as Indigenous communities.

Contacts

This news release is also available in Inuinnaqtun upon request. Please contact us at RCAANC.media.CIRNAC@canada.ca

For more information, media may contact:

Renelle Arsenault
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Marc Miller
Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations
Email: renelle.arsenault@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca

Kyle Allen
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Dan Vandal
Minister of Northern Affairs
Phone: 819-953-1153

CIRNAC Media Relations:
Email: RCAANC.Media.CIRNAC@sac-isc.gc.ca
Phone: 819-934-2302

Brendan Griebel
Pitquhirnikkut Ilihautiniq
Kitikmeot Heritage Society
Email: bgriebel@kitikmeotheritage.ca
Phone: 403-638-1393

Craig Welsh
Communications Advisor, Nunavut
Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Email: craig.welsh@cannor.gc.ca
Phone: 867-975-3722

Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa, ON
Email: nrcan.media.rncan@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
Phone: 343-292-6100

Media Relations
Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Email: media@fcm.ca
Phone: 613-907-6395