NTI Annual Report 2015-2016
Press Release
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REPORTS
I am pleased to have the opportunity to update you on my work for the past year. As you are aware, I am in the last year of my four-year mandate as president of NTI. The election will be held December 12, 2016.
I’d like to start my report by discussing the tremendous success NTI had last year with the signing of the Settlement Agreement with the Government of Nunavut (GN) and the Government of Canada. The Agreement was signed to settle the lawsuit NTI launched against the federal government in 2006 for its failure to live up to the promises it made when signing the Nunavut Agreement. This, in itself, is a significant and historical victory for Nunavut Inuit, all Canadians and Indigenous Peoples around the world. However, the terms of the Settlement Agreement hold continued and long-lasting meaning for NTI because Inuit now have the tools we need to move ahead on full implementation of the Nunavut Agreement.
Under the terms of the Settlement Agreement, NTI received $255.5 million in compensation from the Government of Canada. A portion of that compensation, $5.5 million, was sent to Nunavut Trust to recoup legal fees from the lawsuit. The NTI Board of Directors invested $75 million and is currently deciding how to use those funds. The remaining $175 million was used to create the Makigiaqta Inuit Training Corporation to provide training and skills acquisition to Inuit to ensure Inuit are better able to obtain, retain and advance in employment. Makigiaqta was officially launched in January 2016. This is an important accomplishment for Inuit and one that will make substantial progress in increasing Inuit employment in Nunavut in all areas of the workforce, from administrative to professional designations. Education, training and gainful employment are key to creating stronger and healthier families and communities. The corporation will establish a strategic plan in the coming months to guide its activities. An advisory council will also be established to provide advice to the corporation on the effective use of the training fund.
Under the terms of the Settlement Agreement, the Government of Canada also agreed to carry out an extensive new labour force analysis in Nunavut. Creating a government workforce that fully, fairly, and consistently reflects the Inuit population in Nunavut is a key promise included in the Nunavut Agreement. This is a top priority for NTI, and I am pleased that NTI’s Settlement Agreement directly led to this survey. In Nunavut, there needs to be a better understanding of what Inuit are experiencing as government employees so that we can develop more adequate Inuit employment and training plans and remove the barriers that prevent career advancement and more successful employment. The survey was conducted in the spring. All government employees were encouraged to participate in the survey during work hours.
There are several more aspects of the Settlement Agreement that will continue to improve the quality of life for Inuit in the years to come, but it is important to show you that the results of that lawsuit are having immediate beneficial impacts on life in Nunavut.
Prior to signing the Settlement Agreement, I attended the 30th anniversary of Nunavut Sivuniksavut (NS). The NS experience continues to be a transformative one for students. It gives young Inuit a chance to become independent adults and deepens their appreciation of the political leaders who negotiated the Nunavut Agreement and created Nunavut. During the program, the students’ pride in being Inuit increases immeasurably and their determination to strengthen Inuit culture and contribute to Nunavut’s future is profound. Congratulations to all the staff and students of the NS program. I’d also like to take a moment to thank Murray Angus for his significant and impactful contribution to NS. He retired earlier this year. Without him, NS would not have transformed into the remarkable institution it is today.
Download: NTI Annual Report 2015-2016
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