QIA President, P.J. Akeeagok, participated in the presentations of awards at the 2020 Arctic Inspiration Prize in Ottawa last night.

Eight innovative teams from across Canada’s North were awarded a share of over $2.6 million for their ground-breaking projects to improve the quality of life in their communities. QIA is very proud of the participants who are based in the Qikiqtani Region.

One Million dollar Winner

Northern Compass, a program to create culturally relevant pathways from high school through post-secondary education and on to fulfilling careers for youth in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, received the top prize of $1 million.

Other winners

In addition to the $1 million prize, four prizes were awarded in the AIP category that awards up to $500,000 to each laureate team, and three prizes were awarded in the Youth category, worth up to $100,000 each.

ᑲᒪᔩᑦ Kamajiit Program

The ᑲᒪᔩᑦ Kamajiit program will address the root causes of high school drop-out rates and suicide in three communities in Nunavut through programming youth can access before and after school every day. With their prize of $450,000, the Kamajiit program will offer access to healthy food, hygiene products, showers and laundry facilities, as well as hands-on creative activities grounded in Inuit culture and language. The art therapy-style sessions will teach self-expression, exploration and pride through creative activities. Youth will also have access to mentors and local job opportunities. Team Leader: Susan Aglukark, Writer, Developer, and Founder, Arctic Rose Foundation.

The Nunavut Law Program:

The Nunavut Law Program (NLP) was awarded $140,000 to provide a Nunavut-based legal education to Nunavummiut. The NLP will provide graduates with professional learning opportunities and a strong foundation in Inuit traditional law through participation in a circumpolar exchange with the University of Lapland, participation in mooting, student support and bursaries, traditional law and cultural activities. Students of the NLP program will graduate with a Juris Doctor degree, and will be equipped with the unique knowledge and skills needed to practice law in Nunavut. Team Leaders: Stephen Mansell, Director; Aaju Peter, Cultural Advisor and Lecturer.

Baffin Youth Outdoor Education:

With their $100,000 prize, the Baffin Youth Outdoor Education (BYOE) Project will foster personal growth, skills development and social and cultural awareness by teaching youth traditional activities and adventures on the land. The initial phase will focus on dog sledding. Team Leader: Brittany Masson, BYOE Ambassador.

Trades of Tradition:

By providing community members with the opportunity to develop the traditional skills of hunting, sewing, drum-making and drumming, Trades of Tradition will use their $100,000 prize to preserve traditional knowledge, build connections between youth and elders, strengthen the cultural identities of participants, and address the root causes of prevalent social issues in their communities, including substance abuse and suicide. Team Leaders: Nathan Maniapik, Panniqtuuq Hunting Program Coordinator; Sal Paungrat, Qamani’tuaq Hunting Program Coordinator.

Congratulations to everyone who was involved!

About the Arctic Inspiration Prize

As the largest annual prize in Canada with a focus on the Arctic, the Arctic Inspiration Prize (AIP) encourages, enables and celebrates the inspiring achievements of the people of the North. The AIP recognizes diverse teams and enables their innovative projects in the fields of education, sustainable housing, health, performing arts, traditional knowledge, language, and science. Each year, the AIP awards up to $3 million: one $1 million prize, up to four prizes of up to $500,000 each, and up to seven youth prizes of up to $100,000 each.