Awards
Inuit Heritage Trust is proud to offer two award programs for Nunavut Inuit, the Elder Recognition Award and the Alain Maktar Scholarship.
Elder Recognition Award
2023 Elder Recognition Award Recipients
Do you know an Elder who passionately shares their knowledge of Inuit culture, history, and heritage?
IHT's Elder Recognition Award is a biennial program that recognizes the invaluable contributions of Nunavut Inuit Elders to preserving and sharing Inuit traditions and history.
Why is this award important?
Elders are the cornerstone of Inuit culture. Their knowledge of traditional place names, archaeology, oral history, and the proper care of Inuit cultural objects is central to IHT's work. This award recognizes Elders who generously share their wisdom with their communities, ensuring Inuit culture thrives for generations to come.
Who can be nominated?
We are seeking nominations of Elders from across Nunavut. Community members and organizations are encouraged to nominate Elders who exemplify cultural preservation and knowledge sharing.
What does the award include?
The recipients of the Elder Recognition Award will receive a commemorative plaque and a $1,500 honorarium. Recipients are selected from each Nunavut region (the Kitikmeot, Kivalliq, and Qikiqtani) biennially.
How to nominate an Elder:
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Click below to access the online nomination form.
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Alternatively, download the nomination form here and email it to to us.
Don't miss out! The next application deadline for the Elder Recognition Award is September 30th, 2025.
Elder Recognition Award Past Recipients
Alain Maktar Memorial Scholarship
In honor of Alain Maktar, a dedicated former IHT Board Trustee with a deep passion for archaeology, we offer the Alain Maktar Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is designed to support Nunavut Inuit students pursuing a career in the heritage field, including archaeology, anthropology, Indigenous studies, or museum studies.
Award: $5,000
Eligibility: Nunavut Inuit students interested in pursuing a career in the heritage field.
How to apply:
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To learn more please contact our office.
Note: Both first-time and returning applicants are welcome.
Application Deadline: September 25, 2025