Ilisaqsivik

What Ilisaqsivik does

Ilisaqsivik Society is an Inuit-led registered charity founded in 2000 and headquartered in Clyde River (Kangiqtugaapingmiut), Nunavut. The organization operates three integrated pillars: the Health and Wellness Centre, which delivers community programs and counselling services in Inuktitut using Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and Inuuqatigiittiarniq as a healing framework; the Ittaq Heritage and Research Centre (founded 2005), which handles research, multimedia, land programming, environmental monitoring, and the Clyde River Knowledge Atlas; and Tukumaaq Inc. (incorporated 2008), a wholly-owned for-profit social enterprise subsidiary operating the Naujaaraaluit (8-room) and Sigjaq (6-room) hotels. It serves Inuit communities primarily across Nunavut, with the Mobile Trauma Crisis Response Team covering the Baffin Region under contract with the Government of Nunavut's Department of Health.

The organization's flagship program is Our Life's Journey (founded 2012), the only Inuktitut-language counsellor training program in Nunavut, whose graduates achieve accreditation through the Indigenous Certification Board of Canada (ICBOC) and staff the Mobile Trauma Crisis Response Team. Other core offerings include the Tajjutaq 28-day on-the-land addictions program (recently adopted by Cambridge Bay), nine year-round community programs spanning prenatal nutrition through Elder support, school meal programs at Quluaq School, the Clyde River Community Library, and Ittaq's environmental monitoring (including the Kangiqtugaapik Weather Station Network and sea-ice monitoring). Ilisaqsivik does not operate proprietary technology; it uses standard commercial tools including CanadaHelps, MailChimp, AirTable, and Google Analytics.

Revenue derives from three sources: charitable donations processed via CanadaHelps, government contracts (notably the Government of Nunavut Department of Health), and excess funds from Tukumaaq Inc.'s hotel operations that are donated back to Ilisaqsivik. All community programs and counselling services are provided free of charge to participants. The organization is governed by an Inuit volunteer community Board of Directors; in February 2024 Jennifer Jaypoody was appointed Executive Director.

Name

Ilisaqsivik

Legal name

The Ilisaqsivik Society

Website

https://ilisaqsivik.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Ilisaqsivik is an Inuit-led registered charity in Clyde River, Nunavut, providing counseling, community programs, and heritage research for Inuit across the territory. It operates through three pillars including a social enterprise hotel subsidiary, funded by donations and government contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Indigenous Community Health and Wellness Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Indigenous, Ethnic & Folk Arts/Heritage Organizations (BPAGAHAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Tribal/Indigenous Public Health Authorities (HLAJAAAD), Indigenous & Community Cultural Institutions (THAJADAK)

Keywords

• Inuit community wellness
• Inuktitut counseling services
• Indigenous heritage research
• Community health programs
• Social enterprise hospitality

Headquarters

HQ city

Clyde River

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Charitable donations and fundraising: Ilisaqsivik is a registered charity (No. 886642693 RR 0001) that relies on donated funds to support its non-profit programming. Online donations are processed through CanadaHelps. The organization publishes an annual report and solicits contributions from individuals, organizations, and grant-making bodies.
2. Tukumaaq Inc. social enterprise revenue: Tukumaaq Inc. is a for-profit subsidiary incorporated in 2008 that operates hotels (Naujaaraaluit, 8 rooms; Sigjaq Hotel, 6 rooms) to generate long-term self-sustaining income. All excess funds from Tukumaaq are donated to Ilisaqsivik's charitable operations.
3. Government and institutional funding: Ilisaqsivik receives funding from government sources including the Government of Nunavut, Department of Health, which funds the Mobile Trauma Crisis Response Team staffed by OLJ graduates.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Ilisaqsivik is an Inuit-led not-for-profit society that delivers culturally and linguistically relevant wellness, counselling, cultural, educational, and community programs and training to Inuit communities across Nunavut. Its core offering is organized around three pillars: the Health and Wellness Centre (Inuktitut-language counselling, Our Life's Journey counsellor training, the Mobile Trauma Crisis Response Team, the Tajjutaq 28-day on-the-land addictions program, and nine year-round community programs spanning prenatal to Elders), the Ittaq Heritage and Research Centre (research, multimedia, environmental monitoring, and Inuit knowledge/oral history documentation), and Tukumaaq Inc. (a for-profit social enterprise operating two hotels in Clyde River that generate self-sustaining income for the charity).

Product overview

Ilisaqsivik is an Inuit-led not-for-profit organization based in Clyde River, Nunavut, operating as an umbrella organization with three main pillars: the Health and Wellness Centre (providing community programs and counselling services), the Ittaq Heritage and Research Centre (focused on research, multimedia, and heritage), and Tukumaaq Inc. (a social enterprise operating hotels). The organization delivers a comprehensive portfolio of programs and services including the Our Life's Journey counsellor training program, community health programs, a community library, and social enterprise operations—all united by the mission of increasing wellbeing and personal potential for Inuit across Nunavut.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ittaq: Heritage and Research Centre - a centre of specialty at Ilisaqsivik for research, multimedia, land-programming, and heritage.
• Tukumaaq Inc.
• Our Life's Journey

Products and services

• Health and Wellness Centre Inuit-led, culturally and linguistically relevant health, counselling, and community programs delivered in Inuktitut for residents of Clyde River and Nunavut, based on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (traditional knowledge) and Inuuqatigiittiarniq (healthy inter-connection of mind, body, spirit, and environment) as a path to healing.
• Ittaq Heritage and Research Centre Centre of specialty providing research, multimedia, land-programming, and heritage services that mobilize Inuit knowledge, monitor the environment (including the Kangiqtugaapik Weather Station Network), and promote Inuit culture and language through research and media-based storytelling (including the Clyde River Knowledge Atlas, award-winning documentaries, and Inuit oral history research).
• Our Life's Journey: Inuit Counsellor Training Program Inuktitut-language counsellor training and mentorship program for Inuit participants from across Nunavut, blending Inuit and Southern healing methods. Many graduates achieve accreditation as Counsellors through the Indigenous Certification Board of Canada (ICBOC).
• Tukumaaq Inc. (Social Enterprise) For-profit social enterprise subsidiary operating two hotels in Clyde River (Naujaaraaluit, 8 rooms; Sigjaq Hotel, 6 rooms, planned for redevelopment into a hotel and training centre) to generate self-sustaining income that is donated to Ilisaqsivik's charitable operations.
• Mobile Trauma Crisis Response Team Mobile crisis response and trauma support service staffed by Inuit graduates of Our Life's Journey, deployed across the Baffin Region under contract with the Government of Nunavut, Department of Health to address trauma and contribute to suicide prevention in remote communities.
• Counselling Services In-person counselling services in Clyde River and remote counselling available via toll-free line (1-888-331-4433) for other Qikiqtani region communities, widely recognized across Nunavut and by the federal government for responding to trauma and addressing high suicide rates.
• Tajjutaq 28-Day Addictions Program On The Land 28-day on-the-land addictions treatment program as part of Ilisaqsivik's healing services, which has been adopted by Cambridge Bay, Nunavut.
• Community Programs Nine core community programs running year-round spanning all life stages: Canadian Prenatal Nutrition Program, Parents and Tots Preschool Drop-in, Breakfast and Lunch Programs for Students at Quluaq School, Literacy and After School Programs, Youth Drop-in, Evening Recreation, Elders' Programs, and Radio Show 107.1 FM.

Quantifiable outcome

• Our Life's Journey is the only Inuktitut-language counsellor training program in Nunavut
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tukumaaq Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Tukumaaq Inc. is a for-profit social enterprise subsidiary of Ilisaqsivik, incorporated in 2008. It was established to create long-term self-sustaining income for Ilisaqsivik's non-profit programming. Tukumaaq owns and operates Naujaaraaluit (8-room hotel) and Sigjaq Hotel (6-room hotel) in Clyde River, with plans to redevelop Sigjaq into a hotel and training centre. All excess funds from Tukumaaq operations are donated to Ilisaqsivik's charitable operations.
• Naujaaraaluit (Clyde River Hotel)minorOthersNaujaaraaluit is an 8-room hotel in Clyde River owned and operated by Tukumaaq Inc. as part of Ilisaqsivik's social enterprise strategy. It contributes to local economic development through employment and training opportunities and tourism.
• Sigjaq HotelminorOthersSigjaq Hotel is a 6-room hotel in Clyde River owned and operated by Tukumaaq Inc. Plans are underway to redevelop it into a combined hotel and training centre to expand local employment and training opportunities.
• CanadaHelpsminorOthersIlisaqsivik uses CanadaHelps as its online fundraising software to process charitable donations. Through contractual agreements with confidentiality clauses, Ilisaqsivik manages and protects donor information using this platform.
• MailChimpminorOthersIlisaqsivik uses MailChimp to send email updates, newsletters, and fundraising appeals to donors and community members. Contractual agreements govern the type of information shared, purpose, retention period, and privacy protections.
• Government of Nunavut, Department of HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Government of Nunavut, Department of Health contracts Ilisaqsivik to operate the Mobile Trauma Crisis Response Team for the Baffin Region. The team is staffed by Inuit graduates of the Our Life's Journey counselling program and provides crisis response and trauma support across the region.
• Indigenous Certification Board of Canada (ICBOC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMany graduates of Ilisaqsivik's Our Life's Journey counselling program achieve accreditation as Counsellors through the Indigenous Certification Board of Canada (ICBOC), the governing body for Indigenous counsellor certification.
• CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCBC has covered Ilisaqsivik programs including the 28-day on-the-land addictions treatment program (adopted by Cambridge Bay, Nunavut) and conducted interviews with Ilisaqsivik staff. This earned media coverage raises awareness of Ilisaqsivik's unique programming nationally.
• Quluaq SchoolminorOthersIlisaqsivik partners with Quluaq School in Clyde River to operate the Breakfast Program for Students (Monday to Friday) and Lunch Program for Students (Monday to Wednesday), and uses the school gym for evening recreation programs.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tungasuvvingat Inuit: Inuit-specific family, community, and wellness services provider serving Inuit outside Nunavut (Ottawa-based). Comparable as an Inuit-led service NGO delivering counselling, cultural programming, and community supports.
• Akausivik Inuit Family Health Team: Inuit family health centre providing culturally relevant primary care and wellness services. Directly comparable as an Inuit-led health-services organization serving a defined Inuit community.
• Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada: National Inuit women's organization focused on health, wellness, and cultural programs. Highly comparable as another Inuit-led nonprofit delivering community health, mental wellness, and advocacy services across Inuit Nunangat.
• Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre: Iqaluit-based Inuit health research and wellness organization. Comparable as an Inuit-led Nunavut-based nonprofit focused on community health research and culturally grounded wellness programming.
• Avataq Cultural Institute: Inuit cultural institution in Nunavik focused on heritage preservation, Inuktitut language, research, and cultural programming. Comparable as an Inuit-led heritage and research organization with an analogous mandate to Ilisaqsivik's Ittaq Heritage & Research Centre.
• Anishnawbe Health Toronto: Indigenous health service organization delivering traditional healing, counselling, and community wellness programs. Comparable as an Indigenous-led integrated health and wellness provider with cultural-healing at its core, though serving an urban Indigenous population.

Broad incumbents

• Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. Inuit land claims and benefits organization for Nunavut. Adjacent incumbent that funds and supports Inuit-led initiatives in Nunavut and overlaps with Ilisaqsivik on community-development and well-being mandates.
• National Association of Friendship Centres: National network of Indigenous Friendship Centres delivering community wellness, cultural, and social programs. Comparable as a broad Indigenous-service-delivery network, though serving urban/off-reserve Indigenous populations rather than remote Inuit communities.
• Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami: National representational organization for Inuit in Canada. Broader-incumbent peer that sets national Inuit health and policy priorities and channels federal funding that ultimately flows to frontline providers like Ilisaqsivik.

Emerging players

• Fogo Island Inn / Shorefast Foundation: Social enterprise hospitality model in rural Newfoundland that cross-subsidizes community and cultural initiatives. Comparable as a precedent for Ilisaqsivik's Tukumaaq social-enterprise model — using hospitality revenue to fund nonprofit cultural and community mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ilisaqsivik
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCSVy0DY6RhBKucbkyBtLAqg
• Facebookfacebook.com/ilisaqsivik
• Instagraminstagram.com/ilisaqsivik
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ilisaqsivik

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ilisaqsivik