Arctic Inspiration Prize


The Arctic Inspiration Prize is a $1 million CAD annual Canadian prize awarded to up to five diverse teams who have made a substantial, demonstrated and distinguished contribution to the gathering of Arctic knowledge and who have provided a concrete plan and commitment to implement their knowledge into real world application for the benefit of the Canadian Arctic and its Peoples. The Arctic Inspiration Prize defines the Canadian Arctic as the region including the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Nunavut, Nunavik and Nunatsiavut.

About the Prize

The Arctic Inspiration Prize, also known as the Nobel Prize of the North, accepts nominations that address causes rather than symptoms of one or more of the following priority areas in the Canadian Arctic: Education, Human Health, Socio-Cultural Issues, Environment and Economy. The Prize recognizes and encourages teamwork and collaboration among diverse groups and organizations, from North and South. Prizes, with associated awards totaling $1 million CAD, are presented annually to distinguished teams on a competitive basis. The awards are to be used towards the proposed knowledge implementation plan; they are not personal cash prizes. The Prize is not intended as a "lifetime achievement" award or to give appreciation for one great accomplishment. It does not recognize individual achievements but encourages team efforts in transforming Arctic knowledge into tangible outcomes.
The Arctic Inspiration Prize is managed on a voluntary basis by the ArcticNet Network of Centres of Excellence of Canada. The Arctic Inspiration Prize was launched at the International Polar Year conference held in Montreal in April 2012.

Selection Committee

The Arctic Inspiration Prize Selection Committee is made up of individuals known for their commitment to the Canadian Arctic and its Peoples. Members of the Selection Committee include:
Current Members
Past Members
p* Peter Harrison
Candidates must be nominated by third party Arctic Inspiration Prize Ambassadors who are knowledgeable about the team's activities. Ambassadors include various groups, organizations, companies and governmental agencies and whose engaged participation ensures that groups from diverse Northern communities can be nominated. Ambassadors voluntarily invest their time seeking out, encouraging, and mentoring eligible teams and putting together their nominations. AIP Ambassadors make sure that information about the Prize is available at the grass roots level across diverse communities, actively seek out teams and projects, and encourage/help/mentor/nominate teams.
Ambassadors
The first Arctic Inspiration Prize ceremony was held in Vancouver, BC, Canada, on 13 December 2012. Four teams shared the $1 million award: The Arctic Food Network, the Nunavut Literacy Council, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and the Thaidene Nene Initiative.
Team members: Lucassie Arragutainaq, Bert Dean, Alan Everard, James Ford, Morgan Ip, Jack Kabvitok, Lola Sheppard, Mason White
Team members: Cayla Chenier, Kim Crockatt, Graeme Dargo, George Dunkerley, Sue Folinsbee, Brendan Griebel, Adriana Kusugak, Pujjuut Kusugak, Quluaq Pilakapsi, Shelley Tulloch, Gloria Uluqsi, Anna Ziegler
Team members: Attoat Akittirq, Norman Attangala, Lou Angalik, Jose Angutingnungniq, Alice Ayalik, Joe Karetak, Rodah Karetak, Elisapee Kidlapik, Bernadette Otuk, Shirley Tagalik, Donald Uluadluak
Team members: Deneen Allen, Stephen Ellis, Dora Enzoe, Gloria Enzoe, Mike Filipowitsch, Larry Innes, Erica Janes, Steven Nitah, Mike Palmer, Francois Paulette, Council of the Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation, Thaidene Nene Negotiations Advisory Committee

2013 Laureates

The second Arctic Inspiration Prize ceremony was held in Halifax, NS, Canada, on 11 December 2013. Three teams shared the $1 million award: Ikaarvik: From Barriers to Bridges, The National Strategy on Inuit Education – National Parent Mobilization Initiative, and SakKijânginnatuk Nunalik: Healthy homes in thriving Nunatsiavut communities.
Team members: Shelly Elverum, Vincent L'Hérault, Eric Solomon, Bill Williams, Hamlet of Gjoa Haven, Hamlet of Kugluktuk, Hamlet of Pangnirtung, Hamlet of Pond Inlet, Municipality of Cambridge Bay, Assiniboine Park Zoo, Aquarium du Québec, Ecomuseum Zoo, Vancouver Aquarium, Toronto Zoo.
Team members: Peter Geikie, Kevin Kablutsiak, Heather Ochalski, Mary Simon.
Team members: Tony Andersen, Dorothy Angnatok, Trevor Bell, Christina Goldhar, Isabella Pain, Carla Pamak, Dan Pottle, Tom Sheldon, Darryl Shiwak, Katie Winters.

2014 Laureates

The third Arctic Inspiration Prize ceremony was held in Ottawa, ON, Canada, on December 10, 2014. The ceremony was held at the Shaw Center in conjunction with the Arctic Change conference. The $1 million prize was awarded to one team: FOXY
Team members: Jane Dragon, Jeremy Emerson, Gwen Healey, Veronica Johnny, Carmen Logie, Candice Lys, Kayley Mackay, Nancy MacNeill, Graeme Peters, Teresa Watson, Makenzie Zouboules.

2015 Laureates

The fourth Arctic Inspiration Prize ceremony was held in Ottawa, ON, Canada, on January 27, 2016. The ceremony was held in conjunction with Northern Lights 2016. An additional $0.5 million was granted out during the ceremony for a total $1.5 million reward split by three groups: Better Hearing in Education for Northern Youth, Qaggiq: Nurturing the Arctic Performing Arts, and Tri-Territorial Recreation Training Project.
Team members: Christy Douwsma, Mary Etuangat, Barbara Holmes, Kim Hurley, Tracy MacMillan, Ben McCarl, Lynne McCurdy, Pam Millett, Heather Moffett, Sandra Roberts, Ningeola Tiglik, David Webber
Team members: Tiffany Ayalik, Martha Burns, Geneviève Cimon, Beatrice Deer, Ellen Hamilton, Natasha Harwood, Sarah Olayok Jancke, Zacharius Kunuk, Kathleen Ivaluarjuk Merritt, Alisa Palmer, Aaju Peter, Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory
Team members: Dawn Currie, Brenda Herchmer, Anne Morgan, Geoff Ray, Caroline Sparks

Award Ceremony

The Arctic Inspiration Prize Awards Ceremony is held annually in conjunction with the ArcticNet Annual Scientific Meeting in early December. Laureates are awarded a Diploma of recognition as well as an original work of art from a Canadian Arctic artist alongside the Prize. The Awards Ceremony also features musical performances by Northern artists.