QIA President, P.J. Akeeagok and QC President and CEO Harry Flaherty and three members of QIA’s Executive, cutting a sealskin ribbon with an ulu to commemorate the signing of the Inuit Owned Land Lease in Iqaluit.

Iqaluit, Nunavut – November 27, 2017 – The Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) and the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation (QC) signed a lease earlier this month to develop a parcel of Inuit Owned Land (IOL) in Iqaluit. This development will represent the first privately led land development in the City of Iqaluit.

The Inuit Owned Land located along Federal Road, is being developed as the gateway into Nunavut’s capital, from the airport. This parcel of land is also designated as the potential future home of the Nunavut Heritage Centre.

“Signing this land lease is an important step towards the realization of our plans to build a Nunavut Heritage Centre to showcase our Inuit art and historical artifacts,” says QIA President, P.J. Akeeagok.

“Working with the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, we are doing our part to make the development of this parcel of land for economic, social and cultural projects a reality.”

Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association have each pledged $5 million to realize the creation of a Nunavut Heritage Center this fall.

This parcel of lands will be the site of QC’s new hotel and conference centre as well as other office and retail spaces. The plans for the development include accommodation and delivery of social programs such as an Inuktitut Daycare and Elders’ Facility. QC also has plans for incorporating various innovative renewable energy integration such as solar panels in this development.

“This Inuit Owned Land development will showcase how innovative development can assist in growing our city strategically in ways that foster culture, community, social infrastructure and economic opportunities,” says QC CEO and President Harry Flaherty.

Quick facts about the Inuit Owned Land on Federal road:

• Lot Size: +- 16.2 Ha or 40 Acres
• Project outlines have been submitted to Natural Resources Canada in response to a solicitation for clean energy demonstration projects.
  • Demonstrate advanced building efficiency, renewable energy integration, smart-grid distribution and battery storage.
• A collaboration opportunity with the City of Iqaluit:
  • Development of an adjacent Municipal sub-division
  • Access to investments supporting critical infrastructure such as water and sanitary services benefiting the Federal Road development area

For more information, please contact:

Sima Sahar Zerehi,

Director of Communications,

Qikiqtani Inuit Association

szerehi@qia.ca

(867) 975.8413

1.800.667.2742