Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty confirmed $50 million in federal funding for Inuit Nunangat University during her visit to Kuujjuaq on Thursday. (Photo courtesy of Indigenous Services Canada)
Federal government confirms $50M for Inuit Nunangat University
Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty mentions funding during Kuujjuaq visit
The federal government will provide $50 million toward the creation of Inuit Nunangat University, Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty confirmed during a visit to Kuujjuaq where she made several funding announcements affecting Inuit Nunangat.
The money is part of the federal budget’s Build Communities Strong Fund to support the development of the first Inuit-led university in Canada, an Indigenous Services Canada news release said.
On Feb. 11, after announcing Arviat as the location for the university’s main campus, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Natan Obed said that when the university was first mentioned in the 2025 federal budget, there was no “explicit dollar figure” attached,.
Total funding needs for the university to become operational by 2030 are estimated between $160 million and $200 million.
As of today, it has $156 million — a $50-million donation from Mastercard Foundation, $52 million from Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., $2 million from Makivvik, the organization representing Inuit in Nunavik, $1 million each from The Rideau Hall Foundation and The McConnell Foundation, and $50 million confirmed from the federal government.
The university is also expected to benefit from $50 million for student housing and $35 million for programming provided through the Nunavut Agreement Implementation Contract, a $1.5-billion, 10-year funding deal signed last March with the federal government.
The pile on of dumb money here is an amazing thing.
200 millions $ for a university that wont even see 100 students. Canada is cooked
They will be lucky to have 1/4 of that…
Money well wasted.
It is the lieberals, what do you expect?
Seems like some people in the comments section dont believe in our educated people or are afraid of what educated Inuit can do. Education is what much of nunavik lacks. Being around family while getting an education takes a load of that seem a lot easier. Infrastructure, jobs, education, etc.. this is a benefit to all Inuit. Dont like it? Move. Whats keeping you in nunavik if you dislike it so much and dont believe in its people? This is a step towards the right direction.
Pretty sure Arviat is in Nunavut dude…