Herb Nakimayak’s election as ICC Canada President coincides with the opening of the 15th ICC General Assembly, bringing Inuit leaders together in Iqaluit to define shared priorities through 2030

Iqaluit, Nunavut, has become the centre of Inuit circumpolar cooperation as delegates from across Inuit Nunaat gather for the 15th Inuit Circumpolar Council General Assembly. The meeting comes at an important moment for the organization, marked by the election of a new President of ICC Canada and the beginning of four days of discussions that will define ICC priorities until 2030.

Herb Nakimayak Elected President of ICC Canada

Herb Nakimayak has been elected President of the Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada for the 2026–2030 term, following ICC Canada’s Annual General Meeting held in Iqaluit on July 21.

Originally from Paulatuk and now based in Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Nakimayak brings extensive experience in Inuit leadership and international affairs. He first became involved in ICC leadership in 2014 and has served as ICC Canada Vice-President for International Affairs, as a member of the ICC Executive Council and, most recently, as Interim President of ICC Canada.He also represented the constituency of Nunakput in the 18th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories between 2015 and 2019.

As President, Nakimayak will lead ICC Canada and represent Canadian Inuit interests on ICC’s international Executive Council, working alongside representatives from Alaska, Kalaallit Nunaat, also known as Greenland, and Chukotka. The election included two candidates, Herb Nakimayak and Kilikvak Kabloona. ICC Canada also announced that no nominations had been received for the position of Vice-President, International Affairs. A new nomination period and election date for that role will therefore be announced.

Photo: Herb Nakimayak during the ICC Canada Annual General Meeting in Iqaluit. Source: Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada, via Facebook. 

 A Historic General Assembly Begins

One day after the presidential election, the 15th ICC General Assembly officially opened in Iqaluit, bringing together 66 delegates from Canada, Kalaallit Nunaat, Alaska and Chukotka, as well as hundreds of observers, partners and invited guests.

The gathering is particularly significant because it is the first ICC General Assembly hosted in Iqaluit since 1983. Held every four years, the Assembly is ICC’s highest decision-making body and provides a forum for Inuit representatives to exchange information, discuss shared concerns, establish priorities and strengthen cooperation across Inuit Nunaat.

The theme of the Assembly is Inuit Tapiriit Nunarjuarmi. The opening ceremony included the traditional lighting of a qulliq, drum dancing and an invocation by Paneeraq S. Munk, Bishop of Kalaallit Nunaat. ICC Chair Sara Olsvig formally opened the Assembly and welcomed delegates attending the first fully in-person gathering in eight years.

In her opening remarks, Olsvig reflected on the challenges Inuit have faced during the 2022–2026 term and emphasized the continued strength of Inuit unity and cooperation across national borders.

Host greetings were delivered by Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated President Gloria A. Uluqsi and Iqaluit Mayor Solomon Awa. Delegates also received a recorded address from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, together with remarks from Inuit leaders representing the four ICC regions.

The opening plenary included a tribute to longtime Alaskan Inuit leader Jimmy Stotts, recognizing his contribution to ICC and to the advancement of Inuit rights.

 Photo: Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada Annual General Meeting in Iqaluit.

Source: Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada, Facebook.

Setting Priorities for the Next Four Years

During the first day of the Assembly, Sara Olsvig presented the ICC Chair’s Report, reviewing the organization’s activities and achievements over the previous four years. Country reports from ICC’s offices in Canada, Kalaallit Nunaat, Alaska and Chukotka provided further insight into regional developments since the 14th General Assembly in 2022.

Youth delegates from all four regions also addressed the Assembly, highlighting the importance of youth participation and cooperation between generations in the future of Inuit self-determination and circumpolar relations.

The General Assembly will continue until July 25. Delegates will discuss issues of shared importance, establish priorities for the coming term and elect the incoming ICC Chair and Executive Council.

The gathering will conclude with the signing of a Declaration that will guide ICC’s work until 2030. At the end of the Assembly, the ICC Chairship will transition from Kalaallit Nunaat to Canada.

The Assembly is being streamed in English, Kalaallisut, Inuktitut, Inupiaq, Northwest Inupiaq, Central Yup’ik and Russian, reflecting the linguistic and geographic diversity of the Inuit regions represented within ICC.

With new leadership at ICC Canada and a new strategic period beginning for the wider organization, the Iqaluit gathering represents a major moment for Inuit cooperation and collective decision-making across the Circumpolar North.

Sources:

Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada. “Press Release: ICC Canada Announces Results of Presidential Election.” 

Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada. “15th Inuit Circumpolar Council General Assembly Officially Opens in Iqaluit.”