The community of Arviat is hosting an information session and feast on April 23, 2026, to celebrate being selected as the home of the new Inuit Nunangat University. Residents are invited to gather at Mark Kalluak Hall to learn more about the institution, which was officially announced as coming to the hamlet by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami on February 11, 2026.
Arviat was chosen for the campus after a rigorous selection process that evaluated 51 different communities. Officials selected the hamlet based on its high levels of Inuktitut fluency, available Inuit-owned land, existing infrastructure capacity, and strong community support. With a population of approximately 3,000, Arviat stands out as one of the largest communities in Nunavut and holds one of the highest proportions of youth in Canada.
The university is expected to open in 2030 and will have space for about 100 students, as well as 80 faculty and staff members. To support this, plans include on-site housing for up to 75 percent of those on campus. The project has received significant financial backing, including a $50 million pledge from Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated for construction, and a historic $50 million investment from the Mastercard Foundation.
This project is designed to be an Inuit-led institution where Inuktitut will be taught, allowing students to study and train within their own territory. Community leaders, including Mayor Joe Savikataaq Jr., have highlighted the importance of this opportunity to share local traditions and prepare local residents for new career paths.
