Partnership with the Mastercard Foundation will help fulfill unique vision for Inuit self-determination
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami announced today that its vision for an Inuit-led university in Inuit Nunangat has gained significant momentum through a partnership and historic $50 million investment from the Mastercard Foundation, the largest private donation made to Inuit. This contribution will fund key startup elements of Inuit Nunangat University, a first-of-its-kind institution dedicated to providing world-class, university education in the Inuit homeland.
“Development of Inuit Nunangat University has been driven by our determination to assert leadership over our own higher education and research. A university in our homeland will remove barriers that prevent many Inuit from accessing post‐secondary education and equip them with degrees to support the needs of our communities,” said Natan Obed, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.
“I am thankful to Mastercard Foundation for supporting our work over the past several years and helping us build the framework for Inuit Nunangat University. Their contribution creates a timely opportunity and imperative for others to join this community of support and ensure we welcome students by 2030.”
Building A Community
This transformative investment allows ITK to build key capacity, advancing academic plans and course development, digital connectivity and enhanced community engagement. An ITK costing assessment has determined that $160 million from the public and private sectors is required to open a main campus and develop initial degree programs. ITK is seeking $50 million from the Government of Canada for the construction of the keystone building of the main campus.
“Inuit Nunangat University holds the promise to fundamentally transform the education system guided by the vision and values of Inuit youth,” said Jennifer Brennan, Senior Director, Canada Programs at the Mastercard Foundation. “This is exactly the kind of visionary approach that the Mastercard Foundation is honoured to support – post-secondary education that is culturally-grounded, accessible, and relevant. Inuit Nunangat University will deliver exceptional learning in the Inuit homeland creating new pathways to meaningful livelihoods for Inuit youth in support of healthy and vibrant Inuit communities.”
Inuit Nunangat University would be the first Inuit-governed and Inuit-owned university in Canada’s Arctic. It will span multiple jurisdictions to bridge the vast expanse of Inuit Nunangat, which encompasses 40 percent of Canada’s land area across two territories and two provinces. Efforts are underway to identify optimal sites within Inuit Nunangat to house a main campus and satellite knowledge centres.
Innovative Solutions
The ultimate goal is to empower students through culturally grounded education to give back to their communities through innovative solutions and well-honed critical and creative thinking. Inuit students face enormous barriers to success in universities across Southern Canada. A university in the Inuit homeland would stimulate local economies by creating jobs, training professionals, and developing critical thinkers and leaders in sectors such as healthcare, governance, infrastructure and resource management, business and education.