Inuit Tapiriit Nunarjuarmi

“Inuit Are United, Shaping the Future Together”

As 15th ICC General Assembly Concludes

July 25, 2026— Iqaluit, Canada— Inuit Circumpolar Council’s 15^th General Assembly concluded today in Iqaluit, Nunavut. Inuit celebrated their shared culture and welcomed their Inuit relatives from Alaska, Canada, Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland), and Chukotka. During those four days of discussions, delegates received reports from each ICC office, heard from Inuit experts, debated policy priorities, and adopted the Iqaluit Declaration, addressing issues and set priorities of shared importance to Inuit. The Assembly’s theme, Inuit Tapiriit Nunarjuarmi, (Inuit United Across the World), was central to the event’s proceedings.

Delegates elected a new ICC Chair and Executive Council that will lead the organization through the next term 2026-2030. The Chair officially transitioned from Kalaallit Nunaat to Canada, with Aluki Kotierk elected as Chair of Inuit Circumpolar Council. Aluki is the current Chair of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the former co-chair representing Indigenous People’s Organizations on the Global Task Force for the International Decade of Indigenous Languages 2022-2032. She also served as President of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated from 2016 to 2024. Throughout her career, she has been a strong advocate for Inuit rights at both the national and international levels.

“I am honoured and feel so grateful to have the opportunity to serve as chair of ICC,” said Incoming Chair Aluki Kotierk. “The expressed commitment, repeatedly, to continue to work in unity across Inuit Nunaat for the future is uplifting. Sara Olsvig’s leadership has strengthened the organization’s standing and enhanced its ability to carry our its work.”

Outgoing Chair Sara Olsvig reflected on the progress made on issues affecting Inuit and the work accomplished over the past four years, expressing gratitude to delegates for the opportunity to serve as Chair of the organization.

“It has been a powerful and effective General Assembly. ICC’s delegates are the norsaq, the harpoon handle – for all Inuit. With it, we, through their decisions and the declaration they produce, give ICC precise direction for the next term. ICC then, is their tuukkaq, the harpoon tip, that gets stuck under the skin of the animal. The delegates give us the direction, and send ICC out into the world, where we stick to the decision-making tables. ICC continues to insist on staying at the decision-making table of international negotiations, in rooms where we are not always welcome, because it is what our People have directed us to do. ICC belongs to all Inuit. We are their norsaq. I am grateful that we leave this General Assembly with such a clear mandate for the incoming leadership.”

This year’s Assembly marked a historic return to Iqaluit, which last hosted the gathering in 1983. The Assembly reaffirmed ICC’s commitment to advancing Inuit rights, sovereignty, self-determination, environmental stewardship, language and culture, economic development, and international advocacy. In addition to formal proceedings, there were cultural performances, celebrating Inuit shared culture.

As the Assembly concludes, ICC begins a new term with a four-year mandate focused addressing issues and implementing the priorities contained in the Iqaluit Declaration.

“I am leaving this General Assembly excited to begin the work ahead. It is clear that Inuit are united in shaping our future together. I look forward to working with the ICC Executive Council to fulfil our mandate and advance the priorities set out in the Iqaluit Declaration,” said Incoming Chair Aluki Kotierk.

Following the conclusion of the General Assembly the ICC Executive Council met the members from respective countries, and international Chair. The Executive Council is composed of the following members:

Chair: Aluki Kotierk
Alaska: President Marie Greene and Vice-President Nicole Kanayurak Wojciechowski,
Canada: President Herb Nakimayak and Vice-President and Vice-President Natan Obed.

Chukotka: President Irina Meshcheriakova and Vice-President Maria Leita.

Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland): President Emma Lennert and Vice-President Nivi Rosing.

The ICC Executive Council extends its sincere gratitude to Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated President Gloria Uluqsi and her staff for their warm welcome, dedication, and hard work. The General Assembly would not have been possible without their support.

The Executive Council also thanks the City of Iqaluit for graciously hosting this important event in their community.

Finally, heartfelt appreciation is extended to our sponsors for their valued support and contributions to the success of the General Assembly. A special mention to the Government of Canada and the Government of Nunavut for their ongoing support of our organization.

The next ICC General Assembly will be held in Nome, Alaska in 2030.

ICC is an international Indigenous Peoples’ Organization, founded in 1977 to strengthen unity among Inuit of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Chukotka. ICC promotes Inuit rights and interests at the international level, develops and encourages long term policies that safeguard the Arctic environment, and seeks full and effective participation and meaningful engagement in the political, economic, and social development of the Arctic region.

ICC holds Consultative Status II at the United Nations Economic and Social Council, is a co-founder and Permanent Participant at the Arctic Council, an Observer at the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and holds Provisional Consultative Status at the International Maritime Organization alongside other advisory and consultative roles across numerous international fora.