A significant Indigenous cultural and business conference has been cancelled, and tensions involving Inuit organizations and the NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) appear to be the reason.

The Baffin Regional and Labrador North Chambers of Commerce recently announced the cancellation of the Northern Lights Business and Cultural Showcase, scheduled for February in Montreal.

In a statement, they say the “sociopolitical environment and relationships across the North are changing,” adding there is “no path forward” for the event.

Nunatsiavut President Johannes Lampe says the government stands in unity with other Inuit Treaty Organizations, as well as the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, or ITK, in their decision not to participate in the conference.  ITK, formerly the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, describes itself as the national voice for 70,000 Inuit across Canada.

Lampe, meanwhile, states the inclusion of the NCC, formerly the Metis Nation, presents “significant challenges to (their) principals and the integrity of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement.”

Lampe says Nunatsiavut would welcome the chance to be involved in another conference that “does not include organizations claiming to be Indigenous when they are not recognized or accepted as such.”

Meanwhile, NCC President Todd Russell says while they have not formally been given a reason for the cancellation, they are “extremely disappointed” that it’s due to the apparent threat of a boycott from the ITK, adding it negatively affects all northern peoples.

Russell has invited Lampe and ITK President Natan Obed to come together and find solutions to address all of their people’s priorities.

He says “senseless boycotts and other exclusionary practices harm (them) all,” noting only communication and a willingness to solve problems will help them move forward.

NCC describes itself as the representative governing body for about 6,000 Inuit in southern and central Labrador.