Iqaluit recovery centre to get Inuit-focused governance body
Construction on Aqqusariaq centre nears completion
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. says an Inuit-led governing body for Aqqusariaq Recovery Centre will ensure in-territory treatment remains sensitive to Inuit culture and language. Seen here is the centre, under construction in Iqaluit earlier this year. (File photo)
Updated on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. ET
The organization representing Inuit beneficiaries in Nunavut have voted to create a not-for-profit governing body that will oversee and guide operations at Aqqusariaq Recovery Centre in Iqaluit.
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. board members voted on the issue during their quarterly meeting held in Kinngait Aug. 27 and 28.
Work started on the $87-million centre in August 2023. It is expected to be completed in December this year.
The not-for-profit, also called Aqqusariaq, will be an arm’s-length governance structure designed to “ensure inclusive representation” at the recovery centre.
“The purpose of a non-profit entity to govern Aqqusariaq ensures that the vision of in-territory treatment remains Inuit-led in culture and language and will support communities across Nunavut,” NTI said in a written statement that communications director Ivaluarjuk Merritt provided to Nunatsiaq News.
The Government of Nunavut consulted with NTI in 2024 on how to govern the recovery centre. In turn, NTI went to community representatives to ask for recommendations, according to a report on Aqqusariaq governance consultations released in February.
Feedback included that the governance board have qualified regional representation.
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. “conducted research and analysis … and brought forward the recommendation from its board of directors to the Government of Nunavut that the governance of Aqqusariaq be an independent not-for-profit entity.”
The not-for-profit model allows for democratic decision-making with direct Inuit control, as well as oversight through an independent board of directors composed of Inuit and other experts, Merritt said.
Note: This article has been updated from it’s originally published version to attribute a quotation to a written statement from Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., that was provided to Nunatsiaq News by its communications director.
Seriously, why didn’t you go and get a more recent photo? The teaser of the article is that completion is almost done, but no one at Nunatsiaq could be bothered to drive there and take a photo?
Dude, Nunatsiaq is based in Ottawa.
This is how it looks like today minus the snow
Should , see ours , its ” humongous ”
it’s not the size that matters, it how it’s performs haha
I would hope that the governance for an organization with a mental health mandate in Nunavut would be Inuit-led or largely so. The last statement noting that the non-profit board would be democratic does not seem quite correct; non profit oganizations are not by nature democratic and Boards in Nunavut are usually made of appointees; they can be very good and effective and have a clear governance structure but referring to them as democratic suggests there will be open elections for the members..
Wonder how many Jesus friends will end up calling the shots.
Great question, I hope their idea of addictions counseling isn’t reading the bible …
Their ” solution ” to every problem is found in the bible.
That’s not how I took it.
Inuit government typically works on consensus, which in my opinion at least, is very slow. I took democratic to mean majority rules, rather than consensus.
wait what now? The governance will mostly be likely made of people that are expert in Inuit governance and elders. So election is not necessary.
The cost is crazy and hope this time people do not just use it to come down to Iqaluit for Vacation from smaller communities. like years ago when there was a treatment place in Apex it was a joke Government spent millions for nothing.
The place was closed so fast and this will not be any different especially with beer and wine store and pot store close by. It should have been built for elders instead especially for those elders that have dementia and stuck in Ottawa with no family members visiting them, or treated bad at the Embassy
The treatment place is too close to town where all the hard drugs is destroying so many good people. It should have been built pass Apex like Tar Inlet so it is not easy access, especially with high tides.
Hope the staff will have elders from the communities with different dialects so clients will feel more comfortable, plus have 75% Inuit staff to run the place. I know that is not possible however it can be done, because there are so many Inuit with education now more then ever. Do not hire none Inuit from the south that have no clue about Inuit.
I’m sure you are aware that a Recovery Centre requires staff who are properly educated in the needed medical fields. Addiction counselors, addiction science, therapeutic communication, cultural competency, and so on. I agree that having elders hired at the centre is a must, but I can guarantee you that most of the staff will be contracted or hired from southern pools. This will only change (like many other GN positions) once Nunavut has created a workforce that is qualified enouth. I truly hope that the gap will be much narrower in 5 years
I’ve heard that the building completion will be in March 2026, not December. short time anyway to get the not for profit and staff up and running
How about cancer treatment in Iqaluit. Half or more of the population die from cancer and have to travel for treatment for months and months at a time. We are so far behind the times it’s ridiculous!