Inuit Tapariit Kanatami released their “Position Paper on Arctic Policy Framework”. “The Inuit Nunangat chapter is intended to articulate Inuit priorities for the distinct political, geographic, and cultural region of Inuit Nunangat. The inclusion of an Inuit Nunangat chapter in the document is the most efficient means for ensuring that Inuit priorities are clearly defined and reflected in the APF and, more importantly, guide future investments and activity in our homeland”. The Position Paper identifies the following strategic objectives:
Eliminate the infrastructure deficit in Inuit Nunangat
- Infrastructure and economic self-reliance
Strategic Objective: Eliminate the infrastructure deficit in Inuit Nunangat
- Family violence shelters and transitional housing
- Addictions treatment centres
- Social and transitional housing
6.2 Marine and air infrastructure
Strategic objective: Marine and air infrastructure investments should reflect the essential role marine and air services have for Inuit Nunangat residents
6.3 Telecommunications
Strategic objective: Invest in fibre optic connectivity for all Inuit Nunangat communities
6.4 Renewable energy and climate
Strategic objective: Reduce community diesel reliance by 50 percent by 2030
6.5 Mental health and suicide prevention
Strategic objective: Significantly reduce Inuit Nunangat suicide rate
6.6 Achieving Inuit Self-determination in Research
Strategic objective: Advance Inuit self-determination in research by developing and implementing an Inuit Nunangat research policy
7.0 Conclusion and Recommendations
Each component of the APF must be viewed as interrelated and interdependent. The core objectives of the APF will not be realized unless each of the components of the APF are carefully coordinated. This means that for the APF to be meaningful for Inuit, the Arctic Policy Statement, the shared Arctic Leadership Framework and the Arctic Financing Strategy each need to reflect meaningful and substantial Inuit input.
2. The APF should recognize Inuit Nunangat as a distinct geographic, cultural, and political region and address Inuit priorities through the application of an Inuit Nunangat policy. This can be accomplished by including Inuit as partners in determining how federal policies, programs, and investments are developed and implemented in our homeland, as committed in the Inuit Nunangat Declaration on Inuit-Crown Partnership.
3. The APF should include an Inuit Nunangat chapter to recognize and ensure that the privileged position of Inuit and Inuit priorities as affirmed in the Inuit Nunangat Declaration on Inuit- Crown Partnership are fully reflected in the document and guide the framework’s actions and investments. This can only be achieved through sustained, fulsome and transparent engagement between the Crown and Inuit.
4. The department of Northern Affairs should build on successful partnerships between Inuit and other federal departments by applying a partnership approach to the co-development of the APF with Inuit. This can be achieved by including ITK, and the Inuit regions as they chose in all meetings pertaining to the development of the APF, sharing draft documents with Inuit for input and refraining from approving or publicly releasing the APF without discussion with, and approval from, Inuit leaders, as committed in the Inuit Nunangat Declaration on Inuit Crown Partnership.
Sept. 20, 2019: ITK delivers chapter of “Arctic and Northern Policy Framework”. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its accompanying 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) should be considered as a framework for new investments in Inuit- identified priorities, and based on acceptance of Inuit Nunangat as a policy, geographic and social space. Based on identified Inuit needs, one need only look at the first six 2030 Sustainable Development Goals to identify the most pressing needs for Inuit in Canada: poverty, hunger, infrastructure, health and wellness, education, gender and housing, including clean water.
Inuit Nunangat priorities for action and investment
1. Infrastructure and economic self-reliance
Overall objective: Eliminate the infrastructure deficit in Inuit Nunangat
A. Marine and air infrastructure
B. Telecommunications
C. Renewable energy and climate
D. Mental health and suicide prevention
2. Inuit self-determination in research
Strategic objective: Advance Inuit self-determination in research by developing and implementing a national Inuit Nunangat research policy
3. Education
Strategic objective: Close the gap in educational outcomes between Inuit and non-Inuit
4. Wildlife and Food Security
Strategic objective: Inuit will be able to exercise harvesting and wildlife management rights into the foreseeable future.