Press Release
Kuujjuaq, March 4, 2025 – During the Makivvik board meeting last week, a signing ceremony brought together all of Nunavik’s partners committed to transforming youth protection services. Together, Makivvik, Nunavimmi Ilagiit Papatauvinga (NIP), the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services (NRBHSS), the Ungava Tulattavik Health Centre (UTHC) and the Inuulitsivik Health Centre (IHC) reaffirmed their desire to ensure the well-being of Nunavik Inuit children and families through developing culturally adapted services provided by Nunavimmi Ilagiit Papatauvinga.
Nunavimmi Ilagiit Papatauvinga has been established with the mission of developing and delivering comprehensive, culturally relevant services to Inuit children, youth and families in Nunavik or outside the territory, and will assume the primary responsibility for delivering culturally integrated services tailored to the specific needs and values of the Inuit of Nunavik.
This Memorandum of Understanding marks a significant step toward implementing Nunavik Inuit’s right to self-determination in child and family services, including Youth protection services. It affirms the intention of Makivvik to develop a complementary agreement to the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement and an Inuit law, with the full participation of its partners. This will allow for a progressive transition from existing services to Inuit services, through a strengthened partnership between Makivvik and Nunavimmi Ilagiit Papatauvinga.
This approach will allow Nunavik Inuit to gradually develop and take over a range of services for children and their families, moving away from youth protection services that have been imposed on Nunavik Inuit without regard to our ways of caring for and protecting our children.
Among the signatories were Pita Aatami, president of Makivvik; Minnie Grey, president of Nunavimmiut Ilagiit Papatauvinga (NIP); Victoria Tukkiapik, chairperson of the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services; Claude Gadbois, chairperson of the Ungava Tulattavik Health Centre (UTHC); and Jeannie Aragutak, chairperson of the Inuulitsivik Health Centre (IHC).
-30-
Quotes :
Pita Aatami, President of Makivvik: “I’m proud that we share the same vision for our children. We must take back what has been taken from us: the ability to care for our children without fear that our children will be taken from their communities and lose their culture and language. Through this MOU, we are working together to support the development of Nunavimmi Ilagiit Papatauvinga and give them the resources to provide youth and family friendly services.”
Victoria Tukkiapik, NRBHSS Chairperson: “With this agreement, we are taking back the responsibility for our own children, ensuring they grow up connected to their families, communities, and Inuit identity. For too long, external systems have dictated what is best for our youth. Today, we begin the process of reclaiming our role as decision makers for the future of our families.”
Jeannie Aragutak, IHC Chairperson: “We are proud to stand alongside our partners in this historic step toward Inuit-led youth and family services. This MOU reflects our shared commitment to ensuring the safety, well-being, and future of our children and families, rooted in Inuit values and culture.”
Claude Gadbois, UTHC Chairperson: “We are honored that we as Nunavimmiut stand united in our commitment to the future of our children. With this partnership with Nunavimmi Ilagiit Papatauvinga, we are fully dedicated to strengthening programs that serve our youth and families, ensuring they have the tools and support they need for a thriving future, while safeguarding their culture and language.”
Minnie Grey, President of NIP: “This signing of this MOU is the result of many years of work to address the issue of Youth Protection Services in Nunavik. Now we can move forward as a united Nunavik to offer an Integrated Child and Family Services, by Inuit for Inuit. With the strength of our independently elected Board, the wisdom of our Elders, and the resilience of our communities, we are ensuring that Nunavimmiut families receive support in a way that reflects our culture, values, and traditions. Nunavimmi Ilagiit Papatauvinga is more than a service—it is a movement toward a future where our children grow up embraced by their language, their identity, and their community.”