Prime Minister Mark Carney, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President Natan Obed, federal ministers, and Inuit leaders from the four Inuit treaty regions met in Inuvik, Northwest Territories, for a session of the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee (ICPC). This meeting, part of the ongoing collaboration under the 2017 Inuit Nunangat Declaration, focused on advancing shared priorities including infrastructure development, Arctic sovereignty, and implementation of the Building Canada Act.
Leaders emphasized the importance of respecting Inuit Modern Treaties and ensuring all major projects in Inuit Nunangat are developed in full partnership with Inuit communities. Discussions also included Canada’s Arctic Foreign Policy and efforts to strengthen security and economic prosperity in the region.
Prime Minister Carney announced the appointment of Virginia Mearns as Canada’s new Arctic Ambassador. Mearns, an experienced Inuit leader from Nunavut, will focus on reinforcing Arctic sovereignty, advancing Indigenous partnerships, and representing Canada’s Arctic interests internationally.
Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration, equity, and shared prosperity through the ICPC. The federal government pledged to ensure Inuit voices are central to decision-making and development in Inuit Nunangat, which spans 40% of Canada’s land mass. The meeting marked a continued effort to strengthen Inuit-Crown relations and support Inuit self-determination.
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