At its July 14–16 board meeting in Rankin Inlet, KIA approved annual Sapuulutaq allocations for all seven Kivalliq communities. The largest combined allocations are Rankin Inlet at $3,844,737 and Arviat at $3,733,631; Whale Cove has the smallest combined allocation at $1,821,796. KIA attributes the funding stream to mining royalties and investment returns. ᓇᑭᓐᖔᖅᓯᒪᓂᖏᑦ↗

This is a substantial new regional pool for locally proposed work. KIA’s published Community Initiatives Fund guidelines list eligible areas including Inuit employment and business development, culture, wellness, shared infrastructure and services, and environmental stewardship. The guidelines describe an annual community application process rather than automatic project funding. ᓇᑭᓐᖔᖅᓯᒪᓂᖏᑦ↗

KIA says communities may apply for the funding and directs applicants to its Sapuulutaq fund pages and local Community Liaison Officers. The board release says the allocations will continue in future years, but it does not set out a project-application deadline, identify approved projects, or publish a community-by-community spending plan. KIA’s next board meeting is scheduled for September 1–3 in Arviat.

Community Initiatives Fund allocations total $17,148,137; Education Fund allocations total $1,901,519. Combined community totals: Arviat $3,733,631; Baker Lake $3,100,847; Chesterfield Inlet $1,867,232; Coral Harbour $2,385,712; Naujaat $2,295,701; Rankin Inlet $3,844,737; Whale Cove $1,821,796. The guidelines say 90% of allocable Sapuulutaq investment income goes to the Community Initiatives Fund and 10% to the Education Fund, with annual distributions based on investment income. ᓇᑭᓐᖔᖅᓯᒪᓂᖏᑦ↗