ITK to announce site of Inuit Nunangat University main campus
Eight communities shortlisted in October 2025; announcement expected Wednesday
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami is set to announce the location of the main campus for Inuit Nunangat University at Rideau Hall on Wednesday. Eight communities — Iqaluit, Cambridge Bay, Rankin Inlet and Arviat in Nunavut; Puvirnituq and Kuujjuaq in Nunavik; Inuvik in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region; and Nain in Nunatsiavut — were previously shortlisted as potential hosts. (File photo)
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami is expected to announce Wednesday the location of the main campus for Inuit Nunangat University.
ITK president Natan Obed and the organization’s board of directors plan to be at Rideau Hall in Ottawa for the event with Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, who will deliver remarks, a media advisory from Simon’s office said.
Inuit Nunangat University is an Inuit-led initiative to establish the first university in Canada that would be created, governed and operated by Inuit.
The project has been underway for several years.
In October 2025, ITK shortlisted eight northern communities as potential hosts for the main campus after assessing their readiness and infrastructure.
Those communities were Iqaluit, Cambridge Bay, Rankin Inlet and Arviat in Nunavut; Puvirnituq and Kuujjuaq in Nunavik; Inuvik in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region; and Nain in Nunatsiavut.
Communities not selected may still be considered for one of three Inuit Nunangat University Knowledge Centres using existing facilities.
ITK aims to open the university in 2030, with space for about 100 students and roughly 80 staff.
Plans call for seven faculties, including governance, Inuktut, social work and education.
Obed has previously said the university is intended to reduce barriers to post-secondary education for Inuit by bringing opportunities closer to home and grounding them in Inuit world views.
100 students for 80 staff?
Really?
Well, from I understand, it’s meant to be a university, not just a training institution. So I am assuming that the staff are not all teachers, but rather “staff”, so research/projects/analysis and whatnot would be made. Which would be great, because honestly in academia, and sadly, no one really gives a sh*t about Nunavut. No proper research on cost of living, on communities, on Inuit ways of life, etc. When you don’t have research, you can’t propose policies that are real problem solving solutions.
It should not be in Iqaluit.
There’s already a university in Iqaluit offering the same degree programs as the one proposed by ITK.
There’s also, already, a university in Ottawa, offering the same degree programs as the one proposed by ITK.
Why?
It will probably be in Iqaluit but it probably should be in Rankin Inlet. Iqaluit is less than half Inuit now anyway. Flights from Inuvialuit and Kitikmeot through Yellowknife, Flights from Qikiqtaaluk and Nunavik through Iqaluit. Sorry Nunatsiavut, you’re in for a trek.
ITK president will be the first student in the university and learn Inuktitut.
rude
People are foolish to think this is a university for Inuit. The only way to make this feasible is to attract international students and money. Is the community ready for that?
northern quebec
There are accredited universities all over North America already.
Even trade skools. For free.
There are small universities that work very well in other places, Nuuk, Akureyri Iceland, Faroe Islands, they cater to their people, I don’t understand some of these narrow thinking that a university has to be a in big city and it has to be so big, doesn’t make any sense whatsoever.
This is great thing for Inuit, maybe that is the problem with some people.