The Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) is ending its general assembly with a new Canadian chair. 

Aluki Kotierk was acclaimed into the seat Saturday, taking the position over from Greenland chair Sara Oslvig who led the organization for the last four years.

Kotierk’s first speech as new head was about unity. 

“Maybe if we help each other more, through relationships, through love. If we lift each other more, if we support each other more, oh my goodness, I believe Inuit would do so much better.” she said. 

Kotierk, originally from Igloolik, is the chair of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and has served as the president of the Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. for two terms. She’s also held senior positions with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) and Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada. 

Natan Obed, the president of ITK, welcomed the news, and said the ICC chairship transferring to Canada comes at a strategic moment in time.

“We have a new Arctic ambassador. We are set up very well to work with Canadian government at the international level and also across the Arctic, in co-operation and with force,” he said. 

New declaration

The assembly brought together Inuit from Greenland, Chukotka, Russia, Alaska, and Canada. It’s the first time a gathering like that had been held in Iqaluit since 1983.

Inuit came together to discuss their rights, their language and to share knowledge. The council also approved a new declaration to set the priorities for ICC through the next term.

It focuses on protecting Inuit’s hunting and fishing rights, calls for government investment into Inuit-led research and calls to help emphasize peace and security.

It also pushes back against Inuit identity fraud and rejecting claims from “outside interests” for Inuit Nunaat.

During the assembly ICC also elected their new executive council.

Coming together

For the first time in nearly a decade, all member nations, were able to attend the gathering in person. Obed, president of ITK, said that was meaningful for Inuit.

“What we’ve heard from the beginning of the assembly to now is how grateful Inuit from every country are to come together share our concerns, to celebrate our culture,” he said.

Gulnara Rodionova is a youth delegate from Russia who came to the assembly.

“The atmosphere in Iqaluit is heartwarming,” she said. “We were greeted at the airport by other Inuit, they were singing to us.” 

She said she’s glad the Russian delegation could be included.

Olsvig, the previous chair of ICC, left on a message of hope on the last day of the assembly.

“We are a people that have lived, not just survived in the Arctic with our own knowledge, our own perseverance, and our own way of life,” she said. 

The next assembly is set to take place in Alaska in 2030.