Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada

08/09/2026

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is observed each August 9th. This year’s theme is “Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being.” Inuit Circumpolar Council affirms the right of Inuit women to comprehensive care by Inuit midwives, the right to give birth in their own communities, and to receive support from Inuit health care providers.

Indigenous Knowledge systems have sustained the wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples for generations. The Inuit Circumpolar Council celebrates and honours the knowledge and care that Inuit women as mothers, aunties, grandmothers, and midwives provide in caring for babies, mothers, and homes. We honour Inuit birth workers that are doing this work in Inuit communities, providing critical infant and maternal care. We recognize the role of Inuit midwives in protecting Inuit knowledge, language, culture and self-determination through birth and family care.

Inuit Circumpolar Council hosted the first Inuit Women’s Summit in Sisimiut, Kalaallit Nunaat in October 2025. On the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, Inuit Circumpolar Council reiterates the following call included in the Inuit Women’s Summit Declaration as follows:

Call on all Inuit and non-Inuit to create safe spaces and to protect Inuit women leaders at all levels and in all forms, including supporting Inuit women legal professionals, behavioral health specialists, educators, midwives, advocates, and the many other professions that Inuit women occupy, to be heard and respected as they battle every day for our collective rights.

Inuit Women’s Summit Declaration: https://www.inuitcircumpolar.com/declaration/inuit-womens-summit-declaration/
2026 Iqaluit Declaration: https://www.inuitcircumpolar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026-07-25-ICC-GA-Declaration-FINAL.pdf

Inuit Arnartaasa Ataatsimeersuarnerannit Nalunaarut Sisimiut, Kalaallt Nunaat – 29 October 2025 Downloads A3 print to duplex (8 pages) print on both sides of paper) KAL edition A3 PDF in spread KAL edition A3 print to duplex (8 pages) print on both sides of paper UK edition A3 PDF in spread UK edi...

07/31/2026

Learn more about ICC Canada’s work over the past year. Our 2025-2026 Annual Report is now available online in English and Inuktitut!

Explore our work, key milestones, and what’s next as we continue advancing Inuit priorities.

Available here: https://www.inuitcircumpolar.com/project/2025-2026-annual-report/

07/30/2026

Applications are now open for the OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Programme 2027!

Deadline to apply: 6 September 2026 (23:59 Geneva time)

The OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Programme offers a unique opportunity to strengthen knowledge of the international human rights system through four weeks of training in Geneva.

The Programme brings together Indigenous representatives from around the world to:

-Strengthen capacity on the United Nations human rights system and the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
-Exchange experiences with Indigenous representatives from other regions.
-Strengthen advocacy skills and practical knowledge.
-Build lasting connections and become part of a global alumni network.
-Application deadline: 6 September 2026 (23:59 Geneva time)
Before applying, please make sure you meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the call.

-Apply here: https://survey.ohchr.org/429282?lang=en
Please help us spread the word by sharing this opportunity with your Indigenous communities and networks so it reaches potential candidates who could benefit from the Programme.

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07/29/2026

Thank you to all the ICC delegates and Iqaluit community members who stopped by the Archives booth at the 15th General Assembly and helped us identify people in our photo collection! We loved hearing your stories, helping find family members and friends, and finally putting names to faces.

We welcome everyone to visit the ICC Archives in Ottawa or explore our photos online on the ICC Archives web portal - and let us know what you discover! https://iccc-archives.andornot.net/list?q=&p=1&ps=20&sort=title_sort%20asc&src_facet=Archival%20Descriptions&onlineMediaType_facet=Image

07/27/2026

The 15th Inuit Circumpolar Council General Assembly came to a close this weekend, and most delegates have now returned home after a week of meaningful discussions, insightful presentations, and incredible cultural performances.

We extend our sincerest gratitude to our host Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated. The General Assembly would not have been possible without the leadership of President Gloria Uluqsi and the dedication and hard work of her staff. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the volunteers who generously gave their time throughout the week, and to the whole city of Iqaluit for their warm welcome.

We thank the Government of Canada and the Government of Nunavut for their ongoing support of our organization.

We are also deeply grateful to our other sponsors for their generous contributions, which helped make the 15th Inuit Circumpolar Council General Assembly a success. Your partnership and commitment are sincerely appreciated.

Our sponsors: Air Greenland, Nunatsiavut Government, Ocean Conservancy, Oceans North, Canadian North, Makivvik, NANA, Arctic Stabilization Initiative, North Slope Borough, Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, Atuqtuarvik Corporation, Bering Straits Native Corporation, Inuit Nunaat Fund, Inupiat Community of the Arctic Slope, Kawerak, Inc., Arctic Co-operatives Limited, ArcticNet, Arctic Ventures, and ConocoPhillips Alaska.

07/27/2026

Session 6: Inuit Language and Intergenerational Knowledge

The final plenary panel of the 15th ICC General Assembly was on Inuit Language and Intergenerational Knowledge. Speakers Leena Evic, Terri Walker, Gulnara Rodionova, and Elna Thomsen Heilmann highlighted the importance of creating Inuktut content for future generations, Inuit language education, and knowledge preservation initiatives across Inuit Nunaat.

07/27/2026

Session 5: Inuit Identity, Physical, Spiritual, and Mental Health and Wellbeing

On saturday we heard from Anna Wangenheim, the Kalaallit Nunaat Minister for Health and Persons with Disabilities, Vivian Korthuis, CEO of the Association of Village Council Presidents, and Aloupa Kulula. The presenters spoke about health in body, soul, and spirit, Arctic typhoons, and traditional medicine.

07/27/2026

Canadian North Airlines was the official airline of ICC's General Assembly last week!

To celebrate, we raffled off round-trip tickets during the community feast. Thank you, Canadian North Airlines, for your generous support and for helping make our event such a success!

07/26/2026

Congratulations to Aluki Kotierk, who was elected Chair of Inuit Circumpolar Council today on the final day of the ICC's 15th General Assembly!

“I am leaving this General Assembly excited to begin the work ahead. It is clear that Inuit are united in shaping our future together. I look forward to working with the ICC Executive Council to fulfill our mandate and advance the priorities set out in the Iqaluit Declaration,” ICC Chair Aluki Kotierk.

07/26/2026

Inuit Tapiriit Nunarjuarmi “Inuit Are United, Shaping the Future Together” As 15th ICC General Assembly Concludes

Read the full press release here: https://www.inuitcircumpolar.com/news/inuit-tapiriit-nunarjuarmi/