The assembled group at the meeting developed and signed a joint Declaration document printed here.
Preamble
This Declaration is made in the course of the All-Organizations meeting of Nunavik Inuit organizations held in Saint-Laurent, Quebec, from April 14 to 16, 2026.
During this meeting, Nunavik organizations engaged in in-depth discussions on numerous critical issues, including police services, ban-ishment, self-determination, health, substance use, youth protection, education, housing, municipal services, infrastructure needs in multi-ple sectors, language and culture, youth, elders, Sanarrutik, as well as other key regional priorities.
Participants in this meeting, who work daily on the front lines within Nunavik communities, shared their observations, expressed their concerns, and put forward concrete recommendations aimed at improving the living conditions and overall wellbeing of Nunavik Inuit.
The organizations reaffirm their strong commitment to work together, in a spirit of collaboration, unity, and mutual respect, to address the multiple social challenges facing Nunavik. The organizations also acknowledge that Nunavik is currently facing a major crisis related to substance use and the alarming rise in violent crime, a situation that threatens the safety, health, and future of Inuit and their communities.
Finally, the organizations reiterate the fundamental importance of Inuit self-determination and of regaining control over their own affairs, with an immediate priority placed on child and family services under Inuit governance and the leadership of Makivvik.
Therefore, it is hereby declared as follows:
Unity and collective action
Nunavik Inuit organizations commit to acting in a united and coordinated manner in order to effectively address the social, health, and security challenges affecting Nunavik.
Establishment of a multi-sectoral committee
The organizations agree to appoint each a representative to a multi-sectoral committee to be established under the leadership of Makivvik, with the mandate to ensure coordination, oversight, and the implementation of concerted actions to address the social challenges facing Nunavik.
Comprehensive approach to substance use
The organizations support the adoption of a comprehensive and integrated approach to addressing substance use, including prevention, treatment, community support, and firm measures to counter drug trafficking and the illegal bootlegging of alcohol trade that severely harm communities, including banishment of individuals involved in such activities. Under the leadership of Makivvik, legal tools on banishment shall be developed in collaboration with the landholding corporations, the northern villages and the Kativik Regional Government.
Child and family services under Inuit governance
The organizations support the Development Plan presented by Nunavingmi Ilagiit Papatauvinga as well as the repatriation of child and family services under Inuit governance, through a Complementary Agreement to the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement and the adoption of an Inuit law passed by Makivvik, in order to ensure culturally relevant services that respect Inuit values and are focused on the wellbeing of children, families, and communities.
Makivvik shall, through negotiations with the Government of Quebec, define priorities and services required in youth protection and family services in collaboration with Nunavingmi Ilagiit Papatauvinga which will then be mandated to deliver services to Inuit in that matter.
Infrastructure needs in the health sector
The organizations recognize that infrastructure needs are huge in multiple sectors and in all communities. In particular, the health sector infrastructures are aging and don’t meet the needs of the region anymore. The construction of new super hospitals in Kuujjuaq and Puvirnituq is identified as a priority in order to stop the erosion of health services available in Nunavik.
Infrastructure needs in the municipal sector
The organizations recognize that Northern Villages (NVs) have important needs in terms of infrastructure to deliver essential municipal services for the wellbeing of their population. Participants support their efforts, made in close collaboration with the Kativik Regional Government (KRG), in identifying their priorities and securing the resources needed in all NVs to close the infrastructure gap.
More specifically, the organizations support the NVs and KRG in obtaining the required resources to undertake and complete feasibil-ity studies with regards to the implementation of aqueduct system in the Nunavik communities.
Ongoing dialogue and commitments
The organizations commit to continuing the dialogue, advancing the work initiated during this meeting, and jointly defining additional priorities and concrete actions in the best interests of Nunavik and its communities.
Adoption
This Declaration was unanimously adopted by the participating organizations on April 16, 2026.
Organizations represented at the meeting included:
Anguvigaq
Atanniuvik
Avataq Elders Committee
Inuulitsivik
Katavik Ilisarniliriniq
Kativik Regional Government
Makivvik Executive and BOD
Nunalituqait Ikajuqatigiittut Inuit Association Nunavingmi Ilagiit Papatauvinga
Nunavik Housing Bureau
Nunaliit
Nunavik Mayors
Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services Nunavik Police Service
Suilaaqivik – Nunavik Youth Houses Association Qajaq
Qarjuit
Saturviit
Saaqijuq
Taqramiut Nipingat Incorporated
Ungava Tulattavik Health Center
