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Arviat, Nunavut chosen as main campus location for Inuit Nunangat University

  • Alessia Passafiume

  • Canadian Press

  • February 11, 2026

President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami Natan Obed looks on as President of Metis National Council Cassidy Caron delivers remarks at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

OTTAWA -- Arviat, Nunavut has been chosen as the main campus location for the planned Inuit Nunangat University.

The school came a step closer to being built today with the announcement of a $85 million investment from Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.

The university will be the first based in the North and the first in Canada operated by and for Inuit and is expected to open in 2030.

It will be tasked with promoting Inuit language retention and revitalization and supporting economic and cultural opportunities in the region.

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Natan Obed says the university will benefit Inuit across their territories and that locations for secondary campuses are being discussed.

Once built, the university will allow Inuit students in Canada to obtain a post-secondary education without having to travel south, Obed says

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 11, 2026.