QIA and the Government of Canada sign the SINAA agreement today

Press Release

What is SINAA?

SINAA, formerly known as the Qikiqtani Project Finance for Permanence
SINAA is an agreement between QIA and the Government of Canada, in partnership with PEW Charitable Trust to formally protect 795,253 km² of marine and terrestrial environments in the Qikiqtani Region.
SINAA is an Inuit-led conservation partnership over a 10-year period.
SINAA will provide the resources needed to support Inuit-led governance and stewardship, Nauttiqsuqtiit (Inuit Stewards) programs in all Qikiqtani communities, Nauttiqsuqtiit Conservation Centres in at least four communities, and expand the interconnected marine and terrestrial conservation areas that are vital to the health and well-being of Inuit.
- QIA’s Nauttiqsuqtiit program has proven successful and has been expanded from the five Tallurutiup Imanga communities to eleven (11) Qikiqtani Communities.
- The Nauttiqsuqtiit program is now operating in 11 Qikiqtani communities, including the five Tallurutiup Imanga communities of Arctic Bay, Clyde River, Grise Fiord, Pond Inlet, and Resolute Bay, as well as Kimmirut, Pangnirtung, Igloolik, Sanirajak, Qikiqtarjuaq, and Sanikiluaq.
SINAA contributes significantly to Canada’s commitment of protecting 30% of its terrestrial and marine and environments by 2030

What is the Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) model?

PFP secures long-term financing from public and philanthropic sources to support local governance and stewardship structures to permanently protect natural resources and benefit local communities.

What is the significance of the Qikiqtani Region?

Nunavut makes up about 21% of Canada’s land mass with the 1,836,993.78 km²
The Qikiqtani region alone encompassing 10% of Canada’s land mass, with 989.879 km²
Nunavut contains 43% of the coastline in Canada, and the majority of which is in the Qikiqtani Region.
The Qikiqtani region of Nunavut contains more than 1,500 islands and up to 35 polynyas (semipermanent areas of open water surrounded by sea ice).
The Qikiqtani region is one of the most biodiverse regions of the Circumpolar Arctic, containing:
- The world’s largest subpopulation of polar bears
- 75% of the global narwhal population
- Greenland sharks (the world’s longest-lived vertebrate, living up to 500 years)
- Ringed seals
- Bowhead whales
- Cold-water corals which provide habitat for commercially important species like turbot
- The Eastern Hudson Bay population of beluga whales
- Some of the largest colonies of seabirds in the Canadian Arctic
- The endangered Peary Caribou

What is the Value of the SINAA Agreement?

Who will manage the financial resources?

The financial resources dedicated to SINAA will be managed through the Aajuraq Fund.
The Aajuraq Fund is an independent institution registered under the Nunavut Societies Act and is governed by an Inuit-led board composed of two nominees from the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, two philanthropic partners and one independent seat. Two additional seats may be filled by Inuit organizations that are active in the Qikiqtani Region

What is the role of Qikiqtani communities in advancing SINAA?

QIA visited each Qikiqtani community twice in 2023 and 2024 through the Makimajjutissat Engagement Project to seek input from Community Members, Hunters and Trappers Organizations, Hamlet Councils and any other bodies of interest in each community
Community Conservation Plans will be developed through community engagements focusing on conservation concerns, Inuit-led governance, Inuit stewardship, infrastructure support, research and monitoring, fisheries reconciliation, and future economic opportunities.

Qikiqtait and Sarvarjuaq

A working group was created in 2019 for the proposed protection of Qikiqtait and Sarvarjuak and the creation of a Marine Protected Area in Canada
While negotiations took place for SINAA, Qikiqtait and Sarvarjuaq negotiations also took place
Confirmed $20 million towards the construction of a Nauttiquqtiit Centre
$34 million towards supporting Inuit employment, Inuit led governance, community programming and inshore fisheries

Tallurutiup Imanga:

This agreement was formally established in 2019
Protecting 108,000 km²
Through this agreement small craft harbours were to be built
Canada has confirmed its already made commitment for a small craft harbour in Arctic Bay, costing $105.9 million

Qikiqtani Fisheries:

Additional to the SINAA Agreement, $87.59 million was confirmed for licenses, vessels and gear to fish turbot and northern shrimp
This funding will balance representation, stimulate the Qikiqtani economy and create increased employment opportunities for Inuit, and boost revenue for Nunavut-owned enterprises

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