IQALUIT, NU – The Inuit TV Network announced its upcoming launch Thursday on Nunavut Day.
“It is our collective aspiration to strengthen Inuktut in all aspects of life for Nunavut Inuit,” said Aluki Kotierk, president of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, which is investing over $2.4 million in the channel, in the press release. “I am especially thankful to Inuit TV for their vision to bring Inuit culture and language into our homes and ensure Inuit have access to information in the majority language of the territory.”
Currently, there is a lack of Inuktut programming on Nunavut television to balance the daily influence of western culture and language, says the press release. As an independent broadcaster, Inuit TV will help to counter that influence by educating, entertaining and engaging Inuit in Inuktut.
“The board of Inuit TV would like to thank the many volunteers and partners across Nunavut that have supported us over the years, and provided their valued expertise in language, education and broadcasting to bring this important dream into reality,” said Alethea Arnaquq-Baril, president of Inuit TV Network.
In its first year, Inuit TV will do occasional special broadcasts, and ramp up to a regular schedule of programming in 2021. News reports Thursday said the company has applied to the CRTC for a broadcasting licence and that a TV channel is the best way to go because of the lack of computers and affordable internet in the far north.
“Inuit TV’s mission is to be an independent Inuit television broadcasting service that informs, educates, entertains and engages Nunavummiut. Inuit TV will promote, preserve and enhance Inuktut while reflecting Inuit identity and culture,” reads the release.
While radio offers some Inuktut language content and information (APTN and CBC airs some, too), Inuit TV plans to provide more and better audio and visual information to reach all ages and learning needs. It will also provide skilled jobs and training.
“NTI will provide $2,469,578 over three years to cover overhead and programming. The source of funds is NTI’s portion of resource revenue. The Resource Revenue Policy, approved by the NTI Board in November 2011, outlines the shared and sustainable use of a portion of the economic benefits derived from mineral resource development in the Nunavut Settlement Area. Resource revenue is allocated half to an operating fund and half to an endowment fund. The operating fund is allocated annually between NTI and each of the Regional Inuit Associations,” reads the release.
