NTI and GN Establish Nunavut Inuit Training Corporation

NEWS RELEASE 

NTI and GN Establish Nunavut Inuit Training Corporation 

(October 22, 2015 –Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) President Cathy Towtongie and Nunavut Premier Peter Taptuna today announced the establishment of the Nunavut Inuit Training Corporation. The leaders made the announcement following Premier Taptuna’s presentation at NTI’s annual general meeting in Iqaluit. 

The training corporation, which was officially incorporated Oct. 9, 2015, will be partly funded through money awarded to NTI in the Settlement Agreement signed earlier this year. NTI signed the Settlement Agreement with the Government of Nunavut (GN) and the Government of Canada to resolve the lawsuit NTI launched against the Government of Canada in 2006 for failure to implement elements of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (NLCA). The agreement resolved the lawsuit and allows NTI to move ahead on key implementation issues. 

In accordance with the terms of the agreement, the Government of Canada paid NTI $255.5 million in compensation. NTI committed to spend $175 million of that compensation to create the Nunavut Inuit Training Corporation, which will provide Inuit with training opportunities to enter the government workforce, and to obtain higher level positions in that workforce. 

“Through the creation of the Nunavut Inuit Training Corporation, NTI made a huge commitment toward implementation of NLCA Article 23, which calls for Inuit to be employed by government at a representational level. This means Inuit should hold at least 85 per cent of government positions. The new corporation will provide NTI with the means to prepare Inuit to achieve this target,” said Towtongie. 

"The GN is committed to improving Inuit employment and helping Inuit gain the skills they need to obtain meaningful employment in the territory and across the country," said Nunavut Premier Taptuna. "This settlement, and the new funds it brings with it, marks a new start for the implementation of the NLCA. Minister Quassa and I look forward to working on the Nunavut Inuit Training Corporation to ensure all Inuit share in the benefits of Nunavut's vast economic potential." NTI News Release Page 2 

The Nunavut Inuit Training Corporation’s Board of Directors includes President Towtongie, NTI Vice-President James Eetoolook, Kitikmeot Inuit Association President Stanley Anablak, Kivalliq Inuit Association President David Ningeongan, Qikiqtani Inuit Association PJ Akeeagok, Premier Taptuna and Education Minister Paul Quassa. 

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For further information: 

Kerry McCluskey 
Director of Communications 
Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated 
Tel: (867) 975-4914
Toll-free: 1-888-646-0006 
kmccluskey@tunngavik.com 
www.tunngavik.com 

Catriona Macleod 
Director of Communication 
Government of Nunavut 
Tel: (867) 975-6049 
cmacleod@gov.nu.ca