NTI Welcomes Government of Canada’s Announcement to Extend the Inuit Child First Initiative

Press Release

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) President Jeremy Tunraluk welcomes the announcement today by the Government of Canada to extend Inuit Child First Initiative (ICFI) for one year.

ICFI is an interim agreement by the Government of Canada to establish an initiative like Jordan’s Principle, but for Inuit. It was created to achieve substantive equality for Inuit children by ensuring children have access to the essential government funded health, social and educational products, services and supports they need, when they need them.

“I want to thank Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for extending this critical initiative for Inuit children. In Nunavut, Inuit Child First Initiative has been filling critical gaps across education, health and social systems. It has significant impacts on the wellness of Inuit children and families,” says NTI President Tunraluk. “A longer-term commitment to ICFI is necessary to protect the rights of Inuit children in Nunavut and to achieve substantive equality through providing them access to the essential government funded services and supports they need.”

Since the beginning of ICFI, NTI has been working in partnership with Inuit Regions, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) and the Government of Canada to establish a long-term Inuit equivalent to Jordan’s Principle based on a shared responsibility model. This model will ensure that ICFI delivery in Nunavut is led by Nunavut Inuit and takes a holistic approach to addressing social and economic inequities that impact children.

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Media Contact:
Ivaluarjuk Merritt
Director of Communications
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.
media@tunngavik.com

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