NTI Announces Winners of the 2026 Inuktuuqta! Inuktut Writing Prize
(November 9, 2026 – Iqaluit, Nunavut) Gloria Uluqsi, President of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) and Chair of the Nunavut Tunngavik Foundation, is pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 Inuktuuqta! Inuktut Writing Prize.
Leena Ipeelie has been awarded the $80,000 grand prize, along with one year of support to continue developing their submission into a full-length book.
The additional prize recipients are:
Second Prize ($10,000): Delilah Misheralak
Third Prize ($5,000): Mary Lareau
Fourth Prize ($3,000): Raigili Amqaq
Fifth Prize ($2,000): Dennis Nanoolak
The winners were announced during the Inuktuuqta! Inuktut Writing Prize Gala on Saturday, November 7, at the Aqsarniit Hotel and Conference Centre in Iqaluit.
“Strengthening Inuktut means creating more opportunities for Inuit to use, create and share our language in all aspects of life, including through writing and storytelling,” Uluqsi said. “NTI is proud to support Inuit-led initiatives that help preserve and promote our language. The Inuktuuqta! Inuktut Writing Prize supports Inuit writers today while helping ensure Inuktut remains strong for generations to come.”
The gala featured performances by Nunavut artists Aasiva, Terry Uyarak, Jody, Jacob Okatsiak,
James Ungalaq, Allen Kangok and Daniel Taukie. A highlight of this year’s event was the all-Inuit production team responsible for stage, sound and lighting, with lead technicians from Greenland and trainees from Nunavut. The initiative aims to build technical capacity within the territory, so Inuit teams will have the expertise to produce and manage future events.
The Inuktuuqta! Inuktut Writing Prize recognizes and supports Inuit writers, helping to strengthen Inuktut through literature, storytelling and the sharing of Inuit knowledge and experiences.
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Media Contact:
Annie Thomlinson
Director of Communications
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.
media@tunngavik.com