Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, through its Community Economic Development Organization, has been awarded a $500,000 prize by the Arctic Inspiration Prize Charitable Trust.
Mr. Speaker, the project is a joint venture between the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the Gwich'in Tribal Council and fully supported by the Aurora Research Institute. Mr. Speaker, the concept is to develop an innovative process to support Northern Indigenous artists and crafters in the Western Arctic. The team will engage with artisans in each community and create an association of Indigenous artists and crafters across the region to work at developing sustainable business ventures; improving their art skills; ensuring authentic, high-quality products; and building confidence as sustainable business owners.
Mr. Speaker, the project will commence immediately and provide the business supports required to:
- establish a sustainable association of working artists and crafters who will support each other and the arts/crafts sector by building a critical mass in each community;
- remove barriers to venture creation by hiring two business managers for the association to manage the books, provide business services and counselling, promote the artists, create an online presence for sales, and develop markets.
Mr. Speaker, the project will also address long-standing challenges traditionally faced by Northern Indigenous artists, including but not limited to:
- encouraging meaningful investment in artists/crafters;
- addressing policies that hinder venture creation, tweaking them to be more encouraging and supportive;
- building and maintaining the reputation for high-quality, authentic Northern Indigenous art; and
- developing young artists to ensure that the continuity of traditional knowledge in the art and culture.
Mr. Speaker, the project team is a strong and collaborative partnership between the IRC, the GTC, and ARI that have the skills, expertise, resource, and passion required to move it from concept to successful completion and to inspire local artists, crafters, and the community members to embrace the vision and make the project their own. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate "Traditional techniques tweaked to inspire and galvanize Indigenous Northern artists" on their win at the Arctic Inspiration Prize 2019. Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.