Tungasuvvingat Inuit Announces Discontinuation of CFI Programming due to Unsustainability

April 16, 2025

OTTAWA, ON – Tungasuvvingat Inuit (TI) has made the decision to discontinue seeking funding for the Inuit Child First Initiative (CFI) program. This is primarily due to the lack of adequate funding to sustain its operations and support.

Since 2020, TI has supported over 100 Inuit children and families in Ontario by helping navigate the CFI application process and providing services such as food security, educational support, counseling, childcare, tutoring, and travel assistance. In its place, TI will focus on recommending other Inuit organizations with CFI programs and services to families for continued support. TI remains committed to supporting any pending applications and will continue to assist families throughout this transition.

“After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to discontinue seeking funding for the CFI program.” Stated Tamara Takpannie, President of the Board of Directors at Tungasuvvingat Inuit. “While we recognize the demand for these services is high, the significant financial burden this
program places on TI and recent changes in funding guidelines have made it unsustainable. Our priority is ensuring that our community continues to receive the support they need through other available resources.”

TI calls for a critical reassessment of the approach to CFI funding and support for CFI programs, highlighting the urgent need for more accessible resources that would genuinely ease access to programming. There is a pressing requirement for stable and sustainable funding that adequately supports Inuit children and their families, rather than the current inadequate measures that fall short of addressing their real needs.

Although TI is phasing out the CFI program, we continue to provide essential services to the Inuit community in Ottawa. This transition will allow us to better concentrate our efforts on enhancing these services and expanding our reach to more community members.

About Tungasuvvingat Inuit – It is the Mission of Tungasuvvingat Inuit to broadly provide Inuit-specific programs that contribute to the health and well-being of Inuit and to encourage and support similar programs for Inuit across the country. TI offers 20+ highly integrated, front-line programs and services to urban Inuit in Ontario. Visit online at http://www.tiontario.ca or follow us on Facebook @TIottawa and Twitter @tiontario.

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For more information contact,

Eleanor Partridge,
Manager, Communications
613.299.4684 – epartridge@tiontario.ca

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