NTI Board Approves $40.8 Million Health and Wellness Spending Plan for Nunavut Inuit
October 21, 2026 - Iqaluit, Nunavut – Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) approved health and wellness funding for Nunavut totaling $40.8 million over 5 years from April 1, 2027, to March 31, 2032.
This funding, provided by the Government of Canada, will support communities and the organizations that serve them in developing and delivering Inuit-specific approaches for health and wellness programs aimed at improving health outcomes for Nunavut Inuit.
The investment is intended to help close the gap in health outcomes between Inuit and other Canadians by supporting key priorities such as maternal and child health, improved access to primary health care, and strengthened mental health and wellness services.
The funding will help support regional health priorities and healing gatherings, not-for-profit contributions for health and wellness initiatives, crisis response teams, addictions and trauma treatment system improvements, midwifery, and health system navigation.
The renewed spending plan ensures continuity in funding for NTI, Regional Inuit Associations (RIAs), and partner organizations delivering critical health and wellness programs in Inuit communities.
“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. Everyone is affected. We all have to work together and bring solutions to our communities, not one organization can solve the issues alone, we have to come together to make meaningful impact in our communities” said NTI President Gloria Uluqsi
Since the approval of the previous five-year plan in 2022, funding has contributed to advancements in Nunavut's health and wellness system, including support for the development of an expanded in-territory addictions and trauma treatment system (in partnership with the Government of Nunavut and Indigenous Services Canada), strengthened collaboration through the Nunavut Partnership Table on Health, and direct assistance to Inuit families navigating Non-Insured Health Benefits and Inuit Child First Initiative Services.
Investments through not-for-profit organizations have been foundational in providing programs and services that fill gaps in the current system. The renewed spending plan will continue to support culturally grounded programs and services, such as those offered by the Umingmak Centre and Piruqatigiit Resource Centre. As well, as training programs delivered by Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre, including the Inunnguiniq program and Makimautiksat Youth Camps.
NTI will continue working with partners to maximize the impact of available resources and explore options to address funding challenges affecting community organizations.
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Media Contact
Annie Thomlinson
Director, Communications
Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated
media@tunngavik.com