The general assembly of delegates to the Inuit Circumpolar Council began on Wednesday. Participants from Greenland performed at the opening. The chairman of the organization will no longer be from Greenland.
Inuit Circumpolar Council, The ICC’s general assembly was opened on Wednesday. The General Assembly takes place in Iqaluit. It is the organization’s 15th general meeting.
66 Inuit delegates have gathered for the general assembly this year, writes ICC. They come from Canada, Greenland, Alaska and Chukotka. Several hundred observers and special invitees also participate.
The ICC’s chairman, Sara Olsvig, said, among other things, this at the opening:
– I am happy that I can open our 15th general meeting, and I am grateful to the hosts. It has been almost eight years since we last met face to face. Our general meetings are absolutely crucial for bringing Inuit together and paving the way for the next leaders.
– Now that the election period 2022 to 2026 is coming to an end, in the past four years we have been through many challenges which could have hindered unity and the will for cooperation among Inuit throughout Inuit Nunaat. Still, both the ICC and the Inuit have shown their strength. We want to maintain our unity, further develop our network and our work and realize what ICC was created for, says Sara Olsvig.
At the opening, there was a feature from Greenland. Tukummeq Qaavigaq lit the grease lamp. HH Suersaq Poulsen played the qilaat and Bishop Paneeraq S. Munk said a prayer.
Areas of action must be debated
The theme of the general assembly is Inuit Tapiriit Nunarjuarmi. The participants must discuss goals that must apply until the next general meeting, i.e. until 2030.
– In a changing world and in a time that is difficult to compare with others, the ICC sends a message to gather. Inuit cooperative organization seems more important than ever, and our attitudes to what we as Inuit value have not changed, but we are developing our methods further. In this way, we use our right to participation and take part in decision-making on a global level, as us: Inuit, says Sara Olsvig.
The day also featured a presentation from young people from the four regions of Inuit Nunaat. The importance of young people taking the lead in shaping greater self-determination for Inuit in the future and cooperation in the Arctic was made clear, writes ICC.
The general assembly continues until Saturday. A chairman of the organization and members of the main board must also be elected.
– Finally, a declaration must be signed, which will form the basis for the work in the coming years. When the general meeting has ended, the presidency of the ICC will be handed over from Greenland to Canada, the ICC writes.
