The Innovation and Knowledge Fund is designed to help Northerners take part in, and benefit from, the innovation and knowledge based economy. In each of the territories, up to $350,000 may be awarded each year to help advance economic development through strategic investments in projects.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada delivers the Innovation and Knowledge Fund in Nunavut. Funded projects show evidence of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada’s mandate at work in Nunavut – to work in partnership to help improve the quality of life of Nunavummiut through sustainable economic development, environmental protection and effective resource management.

So far this year (2004-05), Indian and Northern Affairs Canada has invested $343,900 in the following projects in Nunavut:

EkoNorth Construction Research Conference
The project: getting Government of Nunavut and the construction industry together to talk about technology and research related to construction
Investment: $17,325
Partner(s): Government of Nunavut, National Research Council

Turbot Exploratory Fishery Research
The project: an exploratory fishery project to find out size distributions in the OA and OB areas in order to allow Fisheries and Oceans Canada to set catch limits and Nunavut Wildlife Management Board to implement these limits
Investment: $50,000
Partner(s): Government of Nunavut, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Nunavut Wildlife Management Board

Sealing Strategy
The project: to help develop a sealing strategy to address strategic concerns and capitalize on opportunities in the sealing industry
Investment: $25,000
Partner(s): Government of Nunavut

Fishery Strategy
The project: to help the Government of Nunavut with its consultations on the proposed fishery strategy
Investment: $25,000
Partner(s): Government of Nunavut

Benthic Stock Survey
The project: follow up work on the Qikiqtarjuaq clam survey funded by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada in 2003-04; the project will look at size and age distribution, conduct a video show-rate count and carry out lab work
Investment: $16,000
Partner(s): Government of Nunavut

Cambridge Bay Test Fishery
The project: examining fish species and populations around the Cambridge Bay area with the idea of developing new sources and identifying new species
Investment: $20,600
Partner(s): Government of Nunavut

Nunavut Broadband Training Strategy
The project: examining training needs, costs and timing to make sure planned broadband development has trained people in each community to own, operate and successfully run broadband. It will also look at what training communities need to fully take advantage of broadband.
Investment: $40,000
Partner(s): Government of Nunavut, Nunavut Broadband Development Corporation

GIS Needs Assessment
The project: consulting users and generators of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data, examining hardware, software, financing, infrastructure and facilities needed to access geospatial information for government, academia, industry and individuals.
Investment: $25,000
Partner(s): Nunavut Geospatial Working Group which includes the Government of Nunavut, Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Space Agency, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, Regional Inuit Associations, Inuit Heritage Trust

Nanisivik Polaris Socioeconomic Study
The project: analysing the economic and social effects of the two lead zinc mines in the high Arctic from initial discovery to closure and reclamation. The study examines the economic contribution to Nunavut and Canada, and the social effects upon the closest communities and the territory as a whole.
Investment: $20,000
Partner(s): Government of Nunavut, Canada-Nunavut Geoscience Office, University of Alberta

Coloured Gemstone Project
The project: a three phase project examining the geological setting of the Kimmirut sapphire deposit, developing a prospecting course specifically aimed at gemstone prospecting and delivering the course to the communities.
Investment: $35,000
Partner(s): Government of Nunavut, Industry, Hamlet of Kimmirut

Boston Trade Mission
The project: developing business and implementation plans, and coordinating partners for events and activities for the Nunavut Boston Trade Mission in an effort to raise Nunavut’s cultural and economic profile in New England and broaden commercial ties to the world
Investment: $70,000
Partner(s): Government of Nunavut, Government of Canada, Canadian Tourism Commission, Nunavut Tourism, Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.

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