IQALUIT, Canada –July 25, 2026. The 15th Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) General Assembly concluded in Iqaluit with the election of Aluki Kotierkas the organization's new Chair and the appointment of a new Executive Council for the 2026–2030 term.

Bringing together Inuit leaders and delegates from Alaska, Canada, Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland), and Chukotka, the four-day Assembly was held under the theme "Inuit Tapiriit Nunarjuarmi" (Inuit United Across the World). Alongside the leadership elections, delegates adopted the Iqaluit Declaration, setting shared priorities for the next four years.

Aluki Kotierk elected ICC Chair

A key outcome of the Assembly was the election of a new ICC Chair and Executive Council. The chairmanship officially transitioned from Kalaallit Nunaat to Canada, with Aluki Kotierk elected as the new Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council.

Kotierk currently serves as Chair of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and previously represented Indigenous Peoples' Organizations as co-chair of 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.

Following her election, Kotierk highlighted the importance of Inuit unity and acknowledged the work of outgoing Chair Sara Olsvig.

"I am honoured and feel so grateful to have the opportunity to serve as chair of ICC," Kotierk said. "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 out its work."

A New Executive Council with Strong Female Leadership 

Delegates also elected a new Executive Council representing the four ICC regions. Led by Aluki Kotierk, the new Council has a strong female presence, with women holding most of the leadership positions listed for the 2026–2030 term. 

The Executive Council includes Marie Greene and Nicole Kanayurak Wojciechowski for Alaska; Herb Nakimayakand Natan Obed for Canada; Irina Meshcheriakova and Maria Leita for Chukotka; and Emma Lennert and Nivi Rosing for Kalaallit Nunaat.

Together, the new Chair and Executive Council will guide ICC’s work through 2030 and oversee the implementation of the priorities contained in the Iqaluit Declaration.

The Assembly also marked a historic return to Iqaluit, which last hosted the gathering in 1983. Cultural performances accompanied the formal proceedings, celebrating the shared culture and connections linking Inuit across the circumpolar world.

Reflecting on the past four years

Outgoing Chair Sara Olsvig reflected on the progress achieved during her four-year mandate and described the General Assembly as an important moment for defining the organization's direction.

Using the traditional Inuit metaphor of the norsaq (the harpoon handle) and the tuukkaq (the harpoon tip), she emphasized that ICC receives its mandate directly from Inuit delegates and carries their decisions into international decision-making forums.

Olsvig also reaffirmed that ICC will continue to advocate for Inuit interests at international negotiating tables, stating that the organization belongs to all Inuit and acts according to the direction established by its delegates.

Priorities for the next term

The Assembly marked a historic return to Iqaluit, which last hosted the ICC General Assembly in 1983.

Delegates reaffirmed the Council's commitment to advancing:

• Inuit rights
• Sovereignty and self-determination
• Environmental stewardship
• Inuit language and culture
• Economic development
• International advocacy

Alongside the formal sessions, participants also took part in cultural performances celebrating the shared heritage of Inuit communities across the circumpolar North.

As the Assembly concluded, the newly elected leadership received a four-year mandate to implement the priorities established in the Iqaluit Declaration.

"It is clear that Inuit are united in shaping our future together," Kotierk said. "I look forward to working with the ICC Executive Council to fulfil our mandate and advance the priorities set out in the Iqaluit Declaration." 

Source: ICC,  https://www.inuitcircumpolar.com/news/inuit-tapiriit-nunarjuarmi/