Iqaluit, Nunavut – July 7, 2020 – The Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) is distributing $100,000 to Hunters and Trappers Organizations (HTOs) in the five Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area communities of Arctic Bay, Clyde River, Grise Fiord, Pond Inlet and Resolute Bay.

The funds are part of the benefits negotiated as part of the Tallurutiup Imanga Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement (IIBA) with the Government of Canada in August 2019.

“I am very pleased to see these tangible benefits, negotiated through the Tallurutiup Imanga IIBA, flow to the communities,” says QIA President P.J. Akeeagok, “our goal with this Agreement was not only to protect our waters but also to provide opportunities for our communities. Hunters and Trappers Organizations are at the heart of Qikiqtani communities, they play a central role in keeping our traditional skills alive, monitoring our environment and feeding our communities.”

The money is intended to assist Hunters and Trappers Organizations strengthen their capacity to respond to an increase in requests related to their duties under the Nunavut Agreement, arising from the establishment of Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area.

Under the Tallurutiup Imanga Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement the five Hunters and Trapper Organizations will receive $250,000 each fiscal year. The $100,000 for each HTO is the allocation for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 fiscal years.

QIA conducted consultations with each of the Hunters and Trappers Organizations in January and February 2020 regarding their needs and plans for these funds. Many of the HTOs are planning to use the money to bolster their office space, procure necessary equipment, conduct research and mount community events.

For more information, please contact:

Sima Sahar Zerehi,

Director of Communications,

Qikiqtani Inuit Association

szerehi@qia.ca

867.975.8413 or

1.800.667.2742