Arviat Will Be Home to Canada's First Inuit University

Arviat, a town in Nunavut, has been chosen as the main location for Canada's first university that will be run by Inuit people. This new school, called Inuit Nunangat University, will help Inuit students study closer to their homes in the North.
By Newsroom | Education, Canada |

The establishment of Canada's first Inuit-governed and Inuit-owned university marks a significant development in the country's Arctic landscape. Arviat, a community in Nunavut, has been chosen as the primary location for this new institution, named Inuit Nunangat University. This decision follows a comprehensive selection process by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), the national organization representing Inuit in Canada. The university aims to provide post-secondary education closer to home for students across Inuit Nunangat, the traditional homeland of Inuit in Canada.

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Project Genesis and Development

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami has been working for years on the concept of Inuit Nunangat University. The goal is to create an educational center that acknowledges and supports Inuit culture and traditions, while also offering academic opportunities previously unavailable within the region.

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  • The university is intended to be the first of its kind in Canada's Arctic, focusing on Inuit governance and ownership.

  • A key driver for the project is to allow Inuit students from the four northern regions of Inuit Nunangat to pursue higher education without needing to relocate to southern Canada.

  • The choice of Arviat is seen as an important step in asserting jurisdiction within the Canadian Arctic.

Community Selection Process

The path to selecting Arviat involved several stages, starting with a broad assessment of potential host communities.

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  • In October 2025, ITK announced it had shortlisted eight northern communities. These included Arviat, Cambridge Bay, Inuvik, Rankin Inlet, Iqaluit, Puvirnituq, Kuujjuaq, and Nain.

  • The initial review focused on the readiness and infrastructure of these communities.

  • A third-party reviewer then assessed survey responses from these communities.

  • Following this, ITK planned to select four to six communities to submit detailed proposals.

Arviat's Suitability and Community Readiness

Arviat's selection as the main campus site is attributed to its preparedness and infrastructure.

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  • Leaders in Arviat, including Mayor Joe Savikataaq Jr., expressed their readiness to host the facility.

  • Concerns regarding essential resources, such as water capacity, were addressed, with local officials indicating that the infrastructure can support the demand.

  • The community's cultural context, with a strong presence of the Inuktitut language, is seen as a fitting environment for the university.

Broader Implications for Inuit Nunangat

The creation of Inuit Nunangat University and the selection of its main campus have far-reaching implications for the entire Inuit homeland.

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  • The university is expected to become an "important centre of activity" for the institution.

  • Hosting the university is viewed as a potential benefit not only for Arviat but also for the wider Kivalliq region.

  • The project aims to reinforce Inuit identity and self-determination in the Canadian North.

Diverse Perspectives on Higher Education

The concept of Inuit Nunangat University has been welcomed by various individuals and communities within Inuit Nunangat.

  • Students, such as Tracy Denniston from Nain, Labrador, have expressed their enthusiasm for an educational option that aligns with their cultural background. Denniston noted that she wished such an institution had been available when she pursued her undergraduate studies.

  • The university's establishment is seen as a positive step toward accessible higher education for Inuit youth and adults alike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Inuit Nunangat University?
It is Canada's first university that will be owned and run by Inuit people. It aims to offer education in the Arctic.
Q: Where will the main campus be?
The main campus will be in Arviat, a community in Nunavut.
Q: Why was Arviat chosen?
Arviat was chosen because it is ready to host the university and has good infrastructure. The community also has a strong Inuit culture.
Q: Who is building this university?
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), a group that speaks for Inuit in Canada, is leading the project.
Q: What is the goal of this university?
The goal is to give Inuit students a place to study higher education closer to home and to support Inuit culture.