Iqaluit, Nunavut – August 9, 2022 The Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) is pleased to announce that a fundamental commitment made through the Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area (TI NMCA) Inuit Impact Benefit Agreement in sharing Inuit knowledge of the marine environment will be fulfilled this summer.

Four boats departed from Arctic Bay and Pond Inlet on August 6, enroute to Grise Fiord to patrol the waters in between these communities and to delivery a Nauttiqsuqtiit boat for the community of Grise Fiord.

The delivery of this boat will ensure Grise Fiord Nauttiqsuqtiit are able to conduct regular patrols of the TI NMCA to monitor the waters, sea ice conditions and wildlife.  While on patrols, Nauttiqsuqtiit harvest marine animals and resources that are later distributed in their communities, sometimes in exchange with neighboring communities when harvests are abundant or there is lacking in another community.

Niore Iqalukjuak, Nauttiqsuqtiit Supervisor for Arctic Bay will be the team captain with support from Eric Ootoova of Pond Inlet along with eight other Nauttiqsuqtiit staff. This historic event will conclude with a community feast in Grise Fiord.

Nauttiqsuqtiit from the TI IIBA impacted communities of Grise Fiord, Resolute Bay, Arctic Bay, Pond Inlet and Clyde River are an integral piece in ensuring Inuit-led environmental stewardship occurs in the Qikiqtani region. QIA envisions annual patrolling activities in collaboration with multiple Nauttiqsuqtiit communities within the Tallurutiup Imanga Region.

QIA wishes safe passage for the Nauttiqsuqtiit on this major patrol on Tallurutiup Imanga.

For media inquiries, please contact:

William Hopkins
A/Director, Strategic Communications
Qikiqtani Inuit Association
(P) 867.975.8413 or toll-free 1.800.667.2742
whopkins@qia.ca