Circumpolar conference planned for Iqaluit in summer 2026
Hundreds of delegates expected to descend on city for Inuit Circumpolar Council annual general meeting
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. is looking to book hotel spaces to host the 15th annual general meeting of the Inuit Circumpolar Council in summer 2026 in Iqaluit. (File photo)
People in Iqaluit’s retail, hospitality and craft sectors can anticipate a bump in commerce in summer 2026 as Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. hosts the 15th annual general meeting of the Inuit Circumpolar Council.
The eight-member NTI board of directors unanimously agreed Tuesday to accept an invitation to host the more than 200 Inuit delegates who will attend the council’s event, which is planned to run from July 21 to July 26, 2026.
The vote was held during NTI’s first general meeting of 2025 in Iqaluit.
The dates were chosen so hosts could lead delegates and their families on clam-digging excursions as part of the schedule of extracurricular activities, said David Korgak, director of intergovernmental affairs with NTI during the presentation of the resolution.
The circumpolar gathering, which includes performers, media and other guests, will require 400 hotel spaces, said Korgak.
“We should have adequate space for the number of people we’re expecting,” he said.
The board and onlookers applauded after the resolution passed.
Established in 1977, the Inuit Circumpolar Council has grown into an international non-governmental organization representing approximately 180,000 Inuit from Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Russia. It holds consultative status at the United Nations.
All shiny and clean then
omg
The Arctic Gabfest comes to town…
Bet you , going to be , a lot of after hours, all night , show up to the meeting with throbbing headache parting.