SINAA / Qikiqtani Region of Nunavut

On this page

• Proposed new areas
• Long term protection of existing areas
• Enhanced Inuit governance, management and stewardship for existing areas
• Related links

Sinaa is an Inuit word meaning “the floe edge where the land fast ice meets the open water.”

SINAA / Qikiqtani Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) is led by the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA). The initiative is a large-scale conservation project in the Qikiqtani Region of Nunavut, one of the most biodiverse areas in the Arctic and home to a wide array of species including polar bears, narwhals, and migratory birds. This region's ecological health is deeply intertwined with Inuit culture, economy, and well-being, creating a deep connection that sustains biodiversity and livelihoods and that helps support both wildlife and important natural processes like climate regulation and carbon storage.

The SINAA Agreement advances Inuit-led conservation and self-determination by supporting Inuit stewardship and governance for an expanded network of protected and conserved areas within the region. The Qikiqtani Inuit will manage these areas in collaboration with the Government of Canada.

Key elements of the SINAA Agreement include:

• establishing an Inuit-led regional conservation governance model
• expanding the Inuit stewardship program (Nauttiqsuqtiit)
• building Nauttiqsuqtiit Conservation Centres to support Qikiqtani Inuit conservation work
• advancing establishment and management of protected and conserved areas

The SINAA Agreement aims to:

• advance protection of up to an additional 3.68% of oceans in Canada, and 0.04% of lands
• enhance Inuit governance, and the management and stewardship of existing protected and conserved areas

The Government of Canada has transferred $200 million to the Aajuraq Conservation Fund Society. This independent, Canadian-led fund is jointly governed by an Inuit and donor appointed board to manage, invest and disburse the funds. Philanthropic donors have also pledged $70 million.

By generating interest on the initial investment from the Government of Canada and philanthropic donors, these funds will bring more investments into the region over the next 15 years:

• providing support for Inuit-led conservation
• advancing new protected and conserved areas
• creating jobs for Inuit in a conservation-based economy built on new stewardship, monitoring, and associated social, economic and cultural investments

Proposed new areas

• Marine Protected Areas by Minister's order under the Oceans Act
  • Sarvarjuaq (1.28%)
  • Qikiqtait (0.74%)
• National Marine Conservation Areas under the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act
  • Cumberland and Merchants Bay (1.05%)
  • Amittuq (0.61%)
• Terrestrial protected and conserved areas
  • Qikiqtait Nunangit Inuit Protected and Conserved Area (0.02%)
  • Expansion of the Qausuittuq National Park (0.02%)

Long term protection of existing areas

• Long term protection of the Tuvaijuittuq Marine Protected Area (5.55%) as a Marine Protected Area under the Oceans Act and a National Marine Conservation Area under the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act

Enhanced Inuit governance, management and stewardship for existing areas

• Tuvaijuittuq Marine Protected Area
• Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area
• Marine refuges:
  • Disko Fan marine refuge
  • Hatton Basin marine refuge
  • Davis Strait marine refuge

Related links

• Sarvarjuaq Marine Protected Area
• Qikiqtait Marine Protected Area
• Tuvaijuittuq Marine Protected Area
• Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area