About Us
Our History
The Uquutaq Society was founded in November 2009 when it took over the operation of the Salvation Army’s men’s shelter in Iqaluit. The converted four-bedroom house continued to serve a vital service as the only operating homeless shelter in Nunavut at the time, providing homeless men with shelter and helping clients access employment, wellness and cultural services through partner organizations.
Historically, the men’s shelter has operated at over-capacity continuously because of the longstanding housing crisis across Nunavut. The four-bedroom house was nearing the end of its life cycle in the 2010s. After consultations with the City of Iqaluit in 2016, construction on two new buildings began. In 2020, Uquutaq expanded its operations with a 56-bed dual complex in Iqaluit.
This expansion allowed Uquutaq to increase services, but the society is still only beginning to address the significant and longstanding housing and associated wellness needs left in the wake of colonial efforts that swept across Nunavut in the mid 1900s. To learn more about the conditions that created the housing needs, you can read the Qikiqtani Truth Commission’s report here.
Our Goals
- Expand homelessness services to the most vulnerable citizens of Iqaluit.
- Fill in gaps on the housing continuum providing more options for Iqalummiut.
- Develop transition and support services to help Iqalummiut in maintaining safe and secure permanent housing.
Our Plan
The services Uquutaq and its partner organizations provide are crucial to the wellbeing of many Inuit, and crucial in helping to address the ongoing effects of colonization. Only a fraction of those in need are currently being reached.
Uquutaq Society is in the process of applying for charitable status with the federal government. A capital campaign to support further development will be initiated when that has been attained. We continue to take advantage of opportunities under the federal government’s National Housing Strategy and other funders to expand housing and homelessness services. Please see the Our Projects page for current projects and programs in development.
Our Values
We provide culturally-sensitive, safe, healthy and dignified housing solutions and supports for homeless people in Iqaluit, Nunavut.
Our Team
