Inuvialuit Final Agreement

In 1984, the Inuvialuit became the first aboriginal Canadians from the Northwest Territories to negotiate a comprehensive land claims settlement with the Government of Canada.  In the Inuvialuit Final Agreement (IFA), Inuvialuit retained 35,000 square miles of land in fee simple, 5,000 square miles of which include mineral, petroleum and natural gas rights.  A variety of other rights and benefits, as well as cash payments on a scheduled basis, were provided to Inuvialuit in the IFA. 

The basic goals of the IFA as expressed by the Inuvialuit and recognized by Canada are to:

• Preserve Inuvialuit cultural identity and values within a changing northern society.
• Enable Inuvialuit to be equal and meaningful participants in the northern and national economy and society.
• Protect and preserve the Arctic wildlife, environment and biological productivity.

Approved by the Canadian Parliament in 1984 through the Western Arctic Claims Settlement Act, the IFA takes precedence over other Acts inconsistent with it.  The IFA is also protected under the Canadian Constitution and cannot be changed by Parliament without the approval of the Inuvialuit. 

About Inuvialuit Regional Corporation

Established in 1984 to manage the settlement outlined in the IFA, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) represents the collective Inuvialuit interests in dealings with governments and the world at large. IRC's goal is to continually improve the economic, social and cultural well-being of the Inuvialuit through implementation of the IFA and by all other available means.

Inuvialuit beneficiaries directly control IRC and its subsidiaries through a democratic process of elected directors from each of the six Community Corporations.

The head office for IRC is located in Inuvik. Over 180 employees, both full-time and casual, work for IRC. Inuvialuit beneficiaries currently make up over 80 per cent of IRC and Inuvialuit Development Corporation (IDC) staff positions, including those at the senior divisional management level.

Both corporations are committed to increasing the per cent of employed beneficiaries throughout all levels of the organization. A broad range of external and internal staff training, internship and advancement opportunities are available to beneficiaries to help reach this goal.

Corporate Structure

Through a democratic process, Inuvialuit beneficiaries directly control Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) and its subsidiaries.

Each Inuvialuit community, including Aklavik, Inuvik, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Tuktoyaktuk and Ulukhaktok, has a Community Corporation with elected directors. The directors of the six community corporations elect the Chair of IRC. This elected member also takes on the responsibility of Chief Executive Officer of IRC.

Learn more about each Community Corporation here: https://www.irc.inuvialuit.com/community-corporations

The organization is structured as shown below:

Mandate, Goals & Philosophy

Mandate

The mandate of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation is to continually improve the economic, social and cultural well-being of the Inuvialuit through the implementation of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement and by all other available means.

Corporate Goals

As the organization within the Inuvialuit Corporate Group (ICG) that received the lands and financial compensation from the IFA settlement, IRC upholds the values and principles of the Corporate Group, which includes:

• The preservation and growth of the financial compensation flowing from the IFA.
• The distribution of accumulated wealth to beneficiaries.
• The representation and advancement of Inuvialuit interests in areas of external relations including federal, territorial, and municipal governments, circumpolar and other aboriginal organizations, private sector and special interest groups.
• The stewardship of Inuvialuit lands.
• The identification and successful implementation of economic, social, cultural, educational, training and employment programs that benefit Inuvialuit.
• The provision of technical and administrative support to community corporations and beneficiaries.
• The promotion of rights and benefits accorded to Inuvialuit under the IFA.

Operating Philosophy

The mandate and corporate goals of IRC can only be met through a strong commitment by all directors, officers, and employees of the Inuvialuit Corporate Group to an operating philosophy of teamwork, dedication, and coordination of both planning and action. The focus of all effort must be the improved well-being of Inuvialuit. This will be the core criterion by which all corporate activities are measured.

Additionally, IRC has two operating divisions and a community Economic Development Organization that contribute to fulfilling its mandate and provide services to beneficiaries:

Subsidiary Organizations

Inuvialuit Land Corporation

In general, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation manages the area that was established under the Inuvialuit Final Agreement (IFA) through its subsidiary Inuvialuit Land Corporation (ILC). The ILC holds title to the Inuvialuit lands that were entrusted to it under the IFA.

The Inuvialuit Settlement Region covers 1,172,749 square kilometres. Within this area, Inuvialuit own approximately 15,000 square kilometres of subsurface lands and approximately 90,000 square kilometres of surface lands.

For more information, visit: https://www.irc.inuvialuit.com/inuvialuit-land-administration

Inuvialuit Investment Corporation

Established through the Inuvialuit Final Agreement (IFA), Inuvialuit Investment Corporation (IIC) received a major portion of the financial compensation flowing from the IFA.

Today, IIC oversees a diversified securities portfolio that includes the Inuvialuit Heritage Fund, as well as funds held on behalf of other IRC subsidiaries, the Inuvialuit Harvesters Assistance Trust and the Community Corporations. The portfolio is managed by several Canadian institutional fund managers.

For more information, visit: https://www.irc.inuvialuit.com/business/inuvialuit-investment-corporation

Inuvialuit Development Corporation

At Inuvialuit Development Corporation (IDC), they are proud to be 100 per cent indigenous owned, their sole shareholder being Inuvialuit Regional Corporation. IDC is strategically positioned to serve industry in and around the Mackenzie Delta - Beaufort Sea region. They know the North, they know their business and they offer a fully integrated package of expertise, skills and resources to support industry ventures in the western Arctic. With decades of experience in the North, their key service companies provide the professional, customized and cost effective solutions.

Inuvialuit Petroleum Corporation

The Inuvialuit Petroleum Corporation (IPC) is a subsidiary of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) and a proud member of the Inuvialuit Corporate Group of Companies. IPC was created in 1985 with the objective of facilitating the engagement of Inuvialuit in the energy and resources sector. IPC's portfolio of marketable securities, resulting from disposal of other producing assets, is intended to support participation in northern oil and gas opportunities.

For more information on Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, please visit http://www.irc.inuvialuit.com/