Qikiqtani Inuit Association has launched the Sinaa Agreement with a $270-million investment

Nunavut Moves Ahead With $270-Million Investment

By GovPrepare News Desk – November 24, 2025

Standfirst: The Qikiqtani Inuit Association has launched the Sinaa Agreement with a historic $270-million investment, marking a major milestone in establishing a conservation economy in Nunavut that safeguards large swaths of Arctic ecosystems while supporting Inuit livelihoods.

Key Highlights

• The Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) announced the implementation of the Sinaa Agreement to protect 989,000 square kilometres of land and marine areas.
• The agreement is supported by a $270-million federal and territorial investment to support conservation, governance, and local economies.
• Nearly 30% of the entire Qikiqtani region and protected zones will be Inuit-led and legally recognized under Canadian law.
• The agreement aligns with Canada’s Indigenous-led conservation goals and the 30×30 international biodiversity target.
• The new conservation economy model aims to generate employment, training, and governance opportunities for Inuit communities in Nunavut.
• This is one of the largest and most comprehensive Inuit conservation initiatives in Canadian history.

Background and Context

The Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA), representing Inuit in the eastern Canadian Arctic spanning Baffin Island and adjacent communities, has long advocated for Indigenous stewardship over land and water use decisions in Nunavut. Since the establishment of the Nunavut government in 1999, Indigenous rights holders have sought mechanisms to both protect traditional lands and promote economic sovereignty.

Canada has committed to advancing Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) under the Pathway to Canada Target 1, which aligns with the UN Convention on Biological Diversity’s goal to conserve 30% of global lands and waters by 2030 (30×30). The Sinaa Agreement could become a cornerstone model within that framework.

According to Statistics Canada, Inuit communities in Nunavut face some of the highest unemployment and poverty rates in Canada. Conservation-based economies have emerged as a transformative approach to combining resource stewardship with economic empowerment in remote and Indigenous territories.

The New Development

On November 21, 2025, the Qikiqtani Inuit Association officially launched the implementation stage of the Sinaa (Edge) Agreement, first signed in 2019 between QIA and the Government of Canada. This agreement lays the foundation for a conservation economy in Nunavut’s Qikiqtani region through Inuit-led initiatives supported by significant governmental investment.

The $270-million investment – jointly funded by federal and territorial partners – will support:

• Creation and co-management of protected areas and marine conservation zones
• Establishment of Inuit Guardians programs to monitor and manage land use
• Training and employment initiatives related to conservation enforcement and cultural preservation
• Infrastructure support and development in communities participating in conservation activities

The implementation protects around 989,000 square kilometres of critical Arctic ecosystems, including the High Arctic Basin, Lancaster Sound (Tallurutiup Imanga), and Pikialasorsuaq (North Water Polynya), one of the most ecologically productive marine areas in the Arctic Ocean.

The initiative formalizes Inuit governance structures over protected areas and aligns these with federal laws and policies, embedding economic, environmental, and cultural benefits into long-term management frameworks.

Expert and Industry Reaction

Conservation experts and Indigenous rights advocates have praised the agreement as a landmark example of reconciliation through environmental policy. Valérie Courtois, Director of the Indigenous Leadership Initiative, described the Sinaa framework as “a globally significant, rights-based conservation achievement” that centers ecological integrity on Indigenous knowledge.

According to Dr. James Ford, Research Chair in Climate Change Adaptation at the University of Leeds and a specialist in Northern Indigenous ecosystems, “The Sinaa Agreement illustrates a model where economic development does not have to mean resource extraction. Conservation-based economies offer a real path forward in the Arctic.”

Federal Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault reaffirmed the government’s support, noting that this investment aligns with Canada’s biodiversity goals and commitment to Indigenous-led conservation initiatives.

Alignment with Global or National Standards

The Sinaa Agreement supports several national strategies and international frameworks, reinforcing Canada’s environmental and Indigenous reconciliation agendas. Key points of alignment include:

• UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): The agreement supports the 30×30 biodiversity conservation target.
• Canada’s Pathway to Target 1: Contributes toward the national goal of conserving 25% of lands and waters by 2025 and 30% by 2030.
• Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #92: Encourages government and corporate sectors to adopt Indigenous knowledge and leadership in sustainable development.
• Canada’s Climate Adaptation Strategy: Supports climate resilience in Arctic ecosystems and Inuit communities vulnerable to climate impacts.

The agreement also reflects principles from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on inclusive green growth and sustainable use of natural assets.

Impact on Stakeholders

The implementation of a conservation economy through the Sinaa Agreement is expected to yield wide-ranging impacts across Nunavut communities, government agencies, and NGOs. Immediate benefits include job creation in Guardian programs, increased funding for local infrastructure, and expanded community consultation and governance roles.

For Inuit communities, the agreement enhances cultural revitalization through land-based practices and formal recognition of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (Inuit traditional knowledge). Longer-term, the strategy aims to reduce economic dependence on extractive industries and improve social outcomes through sustainable, Inuit-led development models.

For federal and territorial governments, the project demonstrates successful Indigenous co-governance and fulfills reconciliation and biodiversity conservation objectives. Public sector agencies involved in natural resources, environment, and Indigenous affairs will play active roles in implementation, monitoring, and funding disbursement.

Official Guidance

• Qikiqtani Inuit Association
• Environment and Climate Change Canada
• Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
• Protected Planet (UNEP-WCMC)

Conclusion

The Sinaa Agreement positions Nunavut’s Qikiqtani region as a global leader in conservation-led economic development. With a $270-million investment and the protection of nearly a million square kilometres of ecologically sensitive land and waters, this initiative is both a climate solution and social equity strategy rooted in Indigenous governance. Future progress will rely on coordinated implementation, intergovernmental support, and continuous engagement with Inuit communities.

GovPrepare will continue to monitor updates from the QIA and Canadian government departments as the Sinaa Agreement enters its implementation phase, offering insight into long-term impacts on conservation, Indigenous rights, and economic development in the circumpolar Arctic.

Excerpt (Meta Description): Nunavut’s Qikiqtani Inuit Association launches $270-million conservation economy agreement to protect nearly one million sq. km of Arctic land and waters.

Tags: Nunavut conservation, Qikiqtani Inuit, Sinaa Agreement, Indigenous Protected Areas, Arctic economy, Canada biodiversity, Inuit leadership, environmental policy, IPCAs, 30×30 target, conservation investment, land use planning