Inuit Leaders Call for Stronger Federal Partnership While Restating Preference for Canada

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami concluded a two-day Arctic sovereignty conference in Ottawa on Friday with a call for the federal government to treat Inuit as essential partners in decisions affecting their homeland. ITK president Natan Obed said the current relationship with Ottawa is positive yet noted a "very large shift" in how the government involves Inuit on matters in their own territory.

He cited the federal decision to announce defence investments and the Northern Operational Support Hub network of logistics centres for the Canadian Armed Forces without deep consultation.

"We were informed and asked if we could come celebrate with the Government of Canada when they announced them," Obed told The Canadian Press. " Obed stated that Canada is the preferred partner and that Inuit have no interest in forging other paths. He added, however, that if the partnership is no longer feasible or if Inuit are not respected, they will look elsewhere.

"If the partnership with Canada is not on the table, if we are not going to be respected partners, then should we not be looking for other partners as well to uphold our interests," he said. U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war, including renewed engagement with India and China.

He noted that Arctic security, defence and sovereignty remain top priorities for the Carney government and that the region holds strategic national assets for resource extraction. Obed also pointed to Canada's renewed relationship with China while observing that Inuit have been discouraged from working with Chinese interests on natural resource extraction or subsurface considerations within parts of Inuit Nunangat.

He said large-scale projects fund treaty implementation, social programs and employment for Inuit.