Shelter Initiative for Inuit women and children

About Shelters

Inuit women, children, and gender-diverse Inuit face unique housing challenges, particularly concerning gender-based violence, where shelters play a crucial role in providing safety and support. For the past 40 years, Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada has been advocating for federal support, leading to a 2021 commitment of $20 million from the government to fund the construction and operation of shelters in Inuit Nunangat and urban centers. This funding is part of a broader Violence Prevention Strategy, including support for shelters and transitional housing for Indigenous peoples nationwide.

Inuit-specific shelters and transitional housing initiatives are progressing across Inuit Nunangat, with approvals and applications underway. In Nunavut, approvals have been granted for shelters and transitional houses in Sanikiluaq, Pangnirtung, Baker Lake, and Gjoa Haven. Similarly, Puvirnituq in Nunavik has received approval for a shelter and transitional housing project. In Inuvialuit, applications for shelters in Aimayunga and Ulukhaktok and a transitional house in Tuktoyaktuk, NWT, are under review. Additionally, Nunatsiavut has submitted a shelter application for Makkovik and for a transitional housing project in Nain, which is currently under Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) review.

Pauktuutit has highlighted the challenges posed by southern timelines on northern projects, advocating for flexibility as the project sunsets on March 31, 2026, which may not align with the needs of projects in Inuit Nunangat.

Applications for shelters funding are now closed. Further funding is unavailable.

Operating Shelters and Support

Pauktuutit does not operate shelter facilities. If you are in need of emergency housing or support, please contact a shelter in your region below or https://sheltersafe.ca/ 

Inuvialuit

Inuvik

Inuvik Transition House Society

iths@northwestel.new

Crisis Line 1-867-777-3877
Tanya Dillon, Executive Director

Tuktoyaktuk

Aimayunga Women and Emergency Foster Care Shelter

aimayunga@tukcommunitycorp.com
Crisis Line 1-867-977-2000
Sandra Elias, Executive Director

Kitikmeot

Cambridge Bay

Operational Arnat Qimavik – Cambridge Bay Wellness Centre Crisis Shelter

tclarke@gov.nu.ca
fvvp@cambridgebay.ca
sarcha@polarnet.ca
Box 81 Cambridge Bay NU X0E 0C0

Anne Isnor (Family Violence Contact) (867) 983-5232
Troy Clarke 867 983 4169

Kugaaruk

Operational Tammaaquik Women’s Centre – Family Violence centre

womenshelter2@outlook.com
shelter_manager@outlook.com
P.O. Box 205 Hamlet Office, Kugaaruk, NU X0B 1K0

Catherine Nipatuyuk 867-769-6100

Kugluktuk
Operational

Kugluktuk Women’s Crisis Centre

Beverly Bort (867) 982-3210

Kivalliq

Baker Lake

Innutit Women’s Group Ikajuqtauvvik Crisis Centre

General Delivery Taloyoak NU X0E 1B0
Tel.: (867) 561-5902

Rankin Inlet
Operational

Kataujaq Society Shelter

kataujaq@qiniq.com
kylagabrielle26@yahoo.com
P.O. Box 344 Rankin Inlet X0C 0G0
ED/Shelter Manager, Joyce Kent (867) 645-2214
Emerg/After Hrs (867) 645-6432

Nunatsiavut

Nain

Nain Safe House
Women’s Shelter

nainsafehouse@nf.aibn.com
709-922-1230 Nicole Dicker (Executive Director)

Rigolet

Kirkina House
Women’s Shelter

rigoletsafehouse@bellaliant.com
Desiree Wolfrey (Executive Director) 709-947-3583

Nunavik

Inukjuak

Ajapirvik Women’s Shelter
Women’s Shelters and Transition Homes

matagotaaluk@gmail.com
Mary Atagotaaluk (Director) 819-819 254 1414

Kangiqsujuaq

Qarmaapik House: A multi-use and safe place for families in Kangiqsualujjuaq
Safe House

Pilot Project
Maggie Emudluk, and Hilda Snowball Board Members – No contact information for location.

Kuujjuaq

Tungasuvvik Women’s Shelter
Women’s Shelters and Transition Homes

stagoona@gmail.com
(819) 964-0536 Sarah Tagoona Executive Director
(819) 964-2423

Salluit

Initsiaq Women’s Shelter
Women’s Shelters and Transition Homes

bcranemartin@gmail.com
Brenda Crane Martin (Director)
819-255 8045 or 819-255-8817

Qikiqtaaluk

Cape Dorset

Tukkuvik Women’s Shelter

Box 69 Cape Dorset NU X0A 0C0
Tel.: (867) 897-8683
Crisis Line: (867) 979-4500

Iqaluit

Operational
Qimaavik Women’s shelter
director@ywca-agvvik.org
ed@ywca-agvik.org
P.O Box 237 Iqaluit X0A 0H0
Tel.: (867) 979-4566

Pangnirtung

Tullivik Group

Box 204 Pangnirtung NU X0A 0R0
Tel.: (867) 473-8944

Research

All actions undertaken should be grounded in evidence-based data to support responses. To ensure that the voices of Inuit women are heard, we support research, data collection, gap analysis, and allocation of resources.

The successful implementation of the creation of shelters for Inuit women will respond to the National Action Plan, safety being paramount in the 231 Calls for Justice.

Resources

Associated Links