Support, Compensation & Funding Programs

Inuit Success Assurance Team

In 2019 Baffinland introduced the Inuit Success Assurance team. This team is dedicated to working with all Inuit employees; to have discussions on their employment and on advancement opportunities. They help employees map out a path to new roles and help facilitate conversations with operations management to achieve these plans where possible. The team offers communications in both English and Inuktitut, and support discussions about training opportunities, career paths, and Inuit mobility.

Unfortunately, most members of the Inuit Success Assurance Team were impacted by travel restrictions as a result of COVID-19, however two members of the team living in Southern Canada were not impacted by travel restrictions and have continued to complete rotations at site, working to support various departments and business initiatives. To contact the Inuit Success Team, email inuitsuccessteam@baffinland.com

Q-STEP Takes Training Online

Earlier this year the in-person training of 11 Inuit participants from Pond Inlet was interrupted by COVID-19 and the travel restrictions within Nunavut, requiring a new solution to continue delivering the Q-STEP program. Through our partnerships, we were able to not only resume training through video conferencing, but Q-STEP provided 10 laptops and internet data sticks to community members so they could reliably participate in online training and complete the course. The Pond Inlet graduates started their first ever distance learning course through Q-STEP on August 5th and were able to successfully complete the program.

After having success with the online distance format in Pond Inlet, the 10 computers were shipped to another community to continue this online training. By working within the COVID-19 travel restrictions and gathering limits in the various communities, we have been able to implement both virtual and in-community Work Ready programs for 2021 and we now have over 70,000 hours of community training planned for 2021 within the Q-STEP program.

Qikiqtani Skills and Training for Employment Partnership, Q-STEP, is an Inuit employment and training project launched by Baffinland, in partnership with the QIA, the Government of Canada, the Government of Nunavut and Kakivak Association in 2017. The primary goal of Q-STEP is to increase Inuit employment in the Qikiqtani Region in industries such as mining.

To access Q-STEP programs, you must register online with QIA’s labour pool database, Tuttarvik. Tuttarvik is a central resource to assist employers in recruiting Qikiqtani Inuit for employment or training opportunities.

For information on how to register with Tuttarvik, please contact QIA at Tuttarvik@QIA.ca or register online at www.tuttarvik.qia.ca.

Regional Harvesters Enabling Program

In connection to the ICA, a new program, the Regional Harvesters Enabling Program, will be created. This program guarantees that $750,000 annually is shared amongst Hunters and Trappers Organizations in the communities impacted by the Project in recognition that hunting practices in communities will change as a result of the proposed Rail Expansion Development proposal. This program will be in place for the life of the Project.

In addition, the existing Pond Inlet Harvesters Enabling program will continue to operate and be expanded upon construction of the Steensby Project. Program expansion will benefit the communities of Igloolik, Sanirajak, Kimmirut, and Kinngait. This program will provide 300 liters of fuel to each Inuk over the age of 12, up to a maximum total of $400,000 (2018 dollars), residing in these communities. For more information on the Harvesters Enabling programs, contact your Baffinland Community Liaison Officer.

Sanirajak hunters participate in 2020 bowhead whale hunt Wildlife Compensation Fund

Timonie Pikuyak, Sanirajak

Wildlife Compensation Fund

Inuit hunters and harvesters impacted by the Mary River Project can apply for compensation for loss or damage relating to wildlife as a result, directly or indirectly, of development activity related to the Project. The Wildlife Compensation Fund helps cover individual expenses relating to damage, loss or certain unforeseen costs that may have been caused by the Project. Under the ICA, the Wildlife Compensation Fund will be replenished for the life of the Project when it is used and, to help manage access to the Wildlife Compensation Fund on an individual level, QIA will hire a full-time coordinator to oversee the claims and activities. This new position will make sure the fund is more accessible when harvesters need it. Baffinland will fund this position. The Mary River Wildlife Compensation Fund is administered by the QIA. To learn more or to access the application, visit the

Business Capacity Start-Up Fund

The Business Capacity Start-Up Fund provides funding to Inuit who wish to start or grow their business. Baffinland contributes $275,000 annually, plus an amount for contributions made after 2018 to adjust for inflation, to support the Business Capacity and Start-Up Fund.