NTI approves $40.8M five-year Inuit health plan

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) has approved a $40.8-million, five-year spending plan for Inuit health and wellness programs in Nunavut, using money from the federal government.

NTI said in an Oct. 21 news release that the funding covers April 1, 2027, to March 31, 2032. It is meant to help close the gap in health outcomes between Inuit and other Canadians.

The organization said the money will support maternal and child health, better access to primary health care, and stronger mental health and wellness services. It will also help pay for regional health priorities and healing gatherings, crisis response teams, improvements to addictions and trauma treatment, midwifery and help for people navigating the health system.

“I am pleased to have been able to work with governments, Inuit organizations and community groups to be able to support initiatives to help address the overwhelming and acute mental health crises facing Inuit in our communities,” NTI President Gloria Uluqsi said in the release.

The plan renews funding for NTI, the Regional Inuit Associations and partner organizations that deliver programs in Inuit communities. NTI said it will continue to support culturally grounded services, including the Umingmak Centre and the Piruqatigiit Resource Centre, as well as the Inunnguiniq parenting program and Makimautiksat Youth Camps run by the Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre.

Since the previous five-year plan was approved in 2022, NTI said, the funding has helped expand an in-territory addictions and trauma treatment system with the Government of Nunavut and Indigenous Services Canada. It has also supported the Nunavut Partnership Table on Health and direct help for families using Non-Insured Health Benefits and Inuit Child First Initiative services.

Nunatsiaq News reported that it has asked NTI for a copy of the full spending plan and had not received one. The release does not say how much each organization will receive.

The health plan was one of several approved by NTI’s board this month. A separate Oct. 19 release from Kugluktuk described funding for Inuktut education and language work and a tuberculosis elimination plan that includes a reserve fund for communities with high rates of the disease.

NTI said it will keep working with partners to get the most from available resources and look at options for funding pressures facing community organizations.

Related coverage: Nunavut premier warns lands bill could delay devolution and Iqaluit weighs $216M capital budget, mostly for water.

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