NTI approves distribution of $29.5M to extend Nutrition North programs
President Jeremy Tunraluk chairs first regular board meeting since taking office
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.’s board held its first meeting of 2025 at the Aqsarniit Hotel and Conference Centre in Iqaluit, on Tuesday. (Photo by Daron Letts)
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. voted to split up $29.5 million in food security funding among the territory’s regional Inuit organizations during its first board meeting of 2025, which was also the first meeting under new president Jeremy Tunraluk.
The funds come from $101 million the 2024-25 federal budget gave to Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the national Inuit organization.
Nunavut’s portion of the fund is to be used to extend two Nutrition North Canada programs — the Harvesters Support Grant and the Community Food Programs Fund — with funding over three years, NTI’s CEO Kilikvak Kabloona explained to the board.
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. president Jeremy Tunraluk prepares to chair his first board of directors meeting at the Aqsarniit Hotel and Conference Centre in Iqaluit, on Tuesday. (Photo by Daron Letts)
The Harvesters Support Grant supports hunting, harvesting, and food sharing; the Community Food Programs Fund supports culturally appropriate, community-led food security activities.
The money is to be distributed through regional Inuit associations this spring.
NTI and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association will each receive 30 per cent of the funding, or $8.8 million each. The Kivalliq Inuit Association will get 22 per cent or $6.6 million, and the Kitikmeot Inuit Association’s share will be 18 per cent or $5 million.
“These programs are to be aligned with the Inuit Nunangat Food Security Strategy,” Kabloona said as she presented the terms to the NTI board Tuesday at the Aqsarniit Hotel and Conference Centre in Iqaluit.
A meeting among regional Inuit organizations will be scheduled in the spring to further discuss the strategy, she added.
Spending strategies are to be drafted by the Inuit associations by March 31 in order to access the funding as soon as it is available, Kabloona said.
What does NTI plan to do with the 8 mil?
Buy lottsa snowmachine for ther buddys what else is new ??
Contact NTI, they won’t respond here, go to local Inuit Association representative. They will not respond on here.
$$$$
our hto should have country food program but nothing has happened yet. they are not transparent to the community.
NTI has hundreds of millions in new federal funding for the last few years, we do not get updates on all these fundings.
I hope the new President will be more transparent and will have better communication and consultation will happen with all these new funding, who is deciding what to do with these new funding? Just one staff member? Rubber stamp by the board? Who knows?
I agree with Robert, I’d like to know what NTI is doing with that share.
A must see, The Fifth Estate season 49 episode 11
Who’s minding the store.
It’s land claims (modern treaty) obligation, not tax payer funding.
Ohhh, so since it’s because of an agreement, the money just appears from thin air?
best way to find out as a keyboard warrior is to ask on how and NTI will respond, don’t contact local RIA representative or NTI directly!
Problem is, NTI never respond, many of us reach out no one responds, there is no transparency at NTI now.