The RHF is excited to celebrate the next chapter of the Arctic Inspiration Prize (AIP). 

Since 2015, the Rideau Hall Foundation has been honoured to support the AIP’s growth and long-term vision. Today, we’re thrilled to see the Prize move forward as an independent, Northern-led organization, fully managed in the North and guided by the communities it was created to serve. 

It is a milestone RHF is incredibly proud to celebrate. When the RHF became the AIP’s southern operational support partner in 2015, the goal was to provide the capacity and infrastructure the Prize needed to grow, while preserving what made it distinctive: a Northern-led approach that puts resources behind solutions developed by and for Northern communities. 

Over the years, RHF has supported the AIP through a period of significant growth. The Prize expanded to include a $1 million award, and the introduction of the Arctic Inspiration Youth Prize, creating opportunities for projects of different sizes and stages. Regional Managers were introduced to strengthen connections with communities across the North and support the growth of the Prize within each region. 

The scale of the AIP grew significantly too. Annual prize funding increased from approximately $1.5 million when RHF first became involved to almost $4 million at its peak. Most importantly, that growth meant more resources reaching Northern communities. 

Since 2015, with RHF’s support, the Prize has awarded more than $25 million to community-led projects across Yukon, the Northwest Territories, the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR), Nunavut, Nunavik and Nunatsiavut. These projects have addressed priorities identified by communities themselves, spanning education, health and wellbeing, culture, arts and language, science and traditional knowledge, climate change, food security and economic development. 

Behind that investment are projects that have created jobs and training opportunities, strengthened access to culturally grounded programs and services, supported language and knowledge transmission, and helped communities develop solutions that can grow and endure. 

Laureates show what that investment has made possible. SmartICE ($400,000, 2016) has grown into a Northern social enterprise supporting safer ice travel; Pirurvik Preschool ($1 million, 2018) has trained more than 85 educators and supported approximately 300 children; and the Arctic Indigenous Wellness Project ($1 million, 2017) established an Elder-guided healing camp outside Yellowknife, just to name a few. 

From the beginning, RHF’s role was to support the AIP’s growth and long-term vision, with the goal of ultimately seeing the Prize fully managed in the North. Today, we are incredibly proud to see that vision realized. Congratulations to the AIP leadership, co-owners, Laureates, Regional Managers, partners and communities who have made this possible. We are proud of what we have accomplished together and look forward to cheering on what comes next for the AIP.