Makivik Corporation

Makivik Corporation (Inuktitut: Makivvik Kuapuriisat – ᒪᑭᕝᕕᒃ ᑯᐊᐳᕇᓴᑦ, French: Société Makivik) is the legal representative of Quebec's Inuit, established in 1978 under the terms of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, the agreement that established the institutions of Nunavik. As such, it is the heir of the Northern Quebec Inuit Association (Inuktitut: Kupaik Tarrangani Inuit Katujjiqatigiingit - ᑯᐸᐃᒃ ᑕᕐᕋᖓᓂ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᑲᑐᔾᔨᖃᑎᒌᖏᑦ), which signed the agreement with the governments of Quebec and Canada.

Its principal responsibility is the administration of Inuit lands and the over CA$120 million in compensation funds it has received under the terms of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement of 1975 and the more recent offshore Nunavik Inuit Land Claims Agreement that came into effect in 2008. It has a mandate to use those funds to promote the economic and social development of Inuit society in Nunavik. Makivik Corporation is also empowered to negotiate new agreements with governments on behalf of the Quebec Inuit and to represent them on bodies like the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Inuit Circumpolar Council.

The corporation is run by a five-member executive committee including a president, and a 16-member board of directors. Members of both bodies are elected by the Inuit of Nunavik. The executive committee and board of directors together appoint a board of governors to act as an elders' council. Makivik's president is Charlie Watt. It is headquartered in Kuujjuaq, Quebec, and has offices in Inukjuak, Quebec, Montreal, Quebec, Quebec City, Quebec, and Ottawa, Ontario. It has roughly 100 employees.

Makivik has donated some CA$60 million to non-profit and cultural institutions in Nunavik, including funding the construction of recreation facilities in each of Nunavik's communities. However, the bulk of its financial activities have been in the form of investments, both in Canadian and international markets and in economic activities directly relevant to Nunavik.

On April 11, 2014, Makivik Corporation and Norterra, owners of Canadian North, announced that they were in negotiations to merge the two airlines.[1][2] According to a website set up the same day, the new airline would be owned equally between the two companies and "a merger would create a stronger, more sustainable business, provide better service to customers and lead to new economic development opportunities across the North. We believe the two companies would complement each other’s strengths."[3] In October 2014, it was announced the merger would not go through.[4]

It has a number of wholly owned subsidiaries and joint ventures active in Nunavik:

Subsidiaries
  • Air Inuit - A regional airline serving Nunavik.
  • Canadian North - A Canadian domestic airline serving the Arctic.
  • Nunavik Geomatics - A consulting company specializing in the geomatics industry.
  • Halutik Enterprises - A fuel and heavy equipment firm operating out of Kuujjuaq.

Joint ventures

Makivik's joint ventures are primarily firms co-owned with other Inuit development funds.

  • Pan Arctic Inuit Logistics - PAIL operates and services military and air traffic radars in Arctic Canada.
  • Unaaq Fisheries - A shrimp trawling firm. Unaaq is the Inuktitut word for harpoon.
  • Nunavut Eastern Arctic Shipping - A sea shipping firm servicing Arctic Canada.
  • Natsiq Investment Corporation - An investment fund to harvest seals and to develop international markets for seal products. Natsiq is the Inuktitut word for seal.
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See also

Compare

References
  1. Canadian North, First Air plan 'merger of equals'
  2. Arctic airlines First Air and Canadian North talk merger
  3. Canada’s Northern Airlines Enter Merger Discussions
  4. Airlines announce First Air-Canadian North merger is dead

Further reading
  • Janda, R. 2006. "Why Does Form Matter? The Hybrid Governance Structure of Makivik Corporation". Vermont Law Review. 30, no. 3: 785-822.
  • Kwan, Michael K. H. Establishment of the Trace Metal Analytical Facilities in Makivik Research Centre A Progress Report. Kuujjuaq, Que: Makivik Research Centre, Renewable Resources Development Dept., Makivik Corp, 1997.
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