OTTAWA — The dream to open an Inuit-led university is one step closer to realization, thanks to a $50 million investment from the Mastercard Foundation, announced by Natan Obed, the president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), the national organization representing Inuit across Canada. This funding is seen as pivotal for advancing academic plans and course development for the Inuit Nunangat University, which aims to be the first of its kind—fully Inuit-owned and governed.
The university, envisioned to promote Inuit cultures and languages, is part of ITK's broader strategy to empower Inuit youth and create educational opportunities rooted within their communities. Obed emphasized the significance of this initiative by stating, "We're the only developed country without a university in the Arctic for quite some time. That’s important for us from both sovereignty and equity standpoints."
ITK’s ambitious plan requires $160 million altogether from public and private resources to establish the main campus and roll out initial degree programs. The organization is seeking another $50 million from the federal government for the next budget as part of their push to break down the barriers many Inuit students face when accessing post-secondary education. Obed stated, "+These barriers need to be addressed to equip Inuit with the skills necessary to support their communities effectively. Right now, many Inuit feel they must leave their homes to pursue higher education, which often leads to cultural dislocation and other significant challenges.”
The Inuit Nunangat University, aiming to open its doors by 2030, plans to be more than just another educational institution. Instead, it seeks to embody and reflect Inuit philosophies and traditions throughout its curriculum and operation. Six specialized faculties are envisaged to cover diverse areas like resourcefulness, sustainability, and Inuit sovereignty. Each faculty will focus on outcomes deemed significant for Inuit society, integrating local ecological knowledge, cultural practices, and languages, particularly emphasizing the retention and revitalization of the Inuit languages.
The faculty of sovereignty, for example, will explore governance, land claims, and self-determination, whereas the faculty of resourcefulness and sustainability will offer programs emphasizing economics, hunting, and environmental stewardship. Through these faculties, ITK intends to navigate the educational processes with the twofold goal of cultural preservation and fostering economic and social resilience.
Part of the initiative to develop this university was built upon earlier planning—starting with preliminary financial support from the Mastercard Foundation, which began with $1.5 million directed toward planning efforts. Jennifer Brennan, the senior director of Canada programs at the Mastercard Foundation, remarked on how significant this project could be, noting, "This university holds the promise to fundamentally transform the education system, guided by the vision and values of Inuit."
While ITK has made strides with the funding announcement, challenges remain. Obed acknowledges the complexity inherent to establishing this new educational institution, especially when it involves soliciting cooperation from existing universities and aligning with provincial and territorial education guidelines. “We have to navigate different educational frameworks and strive for acceptance from established institutions,” he said, referring to the conversations necessary around Indigenous education practices and philosophies.
This push for the university has been long overdue, and Obed pointed out recent tragedies underscoring its necessity. The experience of students moving south for education has resulted, unfortunately, in increased vulnerabilities, including violence and cultural alienation, as seen with the tragic case of Savanna Pikuyak, who moved from Nunavut to Ottawa for college and was later found dead. Obed firmly stated, "It’s unacceptable for Inuit students to feel they must venture south to pursue their dreams at the cost of their safety or culturally appropriate support systems.”
The Inuit Nunangat University is not just about opening doors to higher education; it is also deeply about creating safe, supportive environments where Inuit students can thrive without leaving their heritage behind. With its planned community engagement, the institution will seek input from various Inuit societies to tailor programs ensuring they are culturally relevant and reflective of the unique needs of their populations.
Looking forward, 2025 is set to be a milestone year as ITK will begin consultations across Inuit Nunangat to determine the university's primary location, and set the stage for knowledge centers across all regions. This structure aims to allow all four Inuit regions to have direct access to educational resources, mitigating the need for students to travel to remote campuses.
Obed is hopeful for widespread support, not just from private donations and philanthropic sectors, but also anticipates cooperation from other Indigenous organizations. He firmly believes this university stands to empower hundreds of Inuit youths and unravel decades of systemic barriers limiting their opportunities.
While excitement grows within Inuit communities for what could mark as one of the most significant educational establishments indigenous to the Arctic, many hurdles still lie on the horizon. The enthusiastic response toward the funding news places Inuit Nunangat University as a beacon of hope, potentially reshaping the future of education for Inuit students, letting them achieve higher learning without compromising their cultural identity or community ties.
