Taqramiut Nipingat Inc.
History
In the early 1970s, the Inuit of Northern Quebec—now known as Nunavik—recognized a growing need for communications tools in order to effectively communicate information to each community. As a result, Taqramiut Nipingat Inc. (TNI), which means voice of the north, was founded in 1975. Today, TNI serves the Inuit of Nunavik through radio and television.
In September 1975, TNI was incorporated as a non-profit organization under Part II of the Canada Business Corporations Act. On September 25, 2014, it obtained its certificate of continuance and made the transition to the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act. This year, TNI will be celebrating its 47th anniversary.
Radio
TNI has been operating its own regional radio network since 2006. Its station, 94.1 FM, is broadcast in Nunavik’s 14 communities, at one mining site, and on TNI’s website, www.tni-rtn.com, via live streaming. TNI broadcasts approximately 12 hours per day, six days per week for a total of over 3,000 hours per year. TNI produces three hours of new content per day during the week and covers many special events in the region. All of TNI’s radio programming is in the Inuktitut language.
Each of the Nunavik communities also operates a local FM station. Although most of these stations are under the responsibility of their respective Norther Villages, TNI provides technical assistance.
Television
TNI also operates a community television network (NCTv) on which it airs video programs in the Inuktitut language. NCTv is available in Nunavik’s 14 communities and offers viewers close to 60 hours of programming per week. Occasionally, TNI also broadcasts episodes on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) in Inuktitut with English subtitles. In 2018-2019, the organization produced a series 30-minute episodes entitled “Adventures on Inuit land” and then later produced a second season.
Mission Statement
To promote, by communication means, the culture and the image of Inuit, by Inuit, to the Inuit and to the national and international scenes.
Mandate
To provide communications services to the Inuit of Northern Quebec, to strengthen language, and to promote traditional and contemporary culture.
Objectives
Adopted by the Board of Directors on December 17, 2013
- To develop and promote comprehensive communication programs that are of relevance to the Inuit of Northern Quebec and develop and encourage such programs in cooperation with all branches of the multimedia industry;
- To encourage and promote the development of Inuit language and culture programs to foster cultural activities of the Inuit;
- To promote, by communication, the image of Inuit in the national scene and create incentives for the development of mutual understanding;
- To involve and train the Inuit youth as communication workers for the Corporation;
- To communicate with and broaden social interaction among other native groups from various parts of North America;
- To procure and deliver information on subjects relating to cultural, social, educational, political and economic issues facing the Inuit people of Quebec;
- To advance the education of the Inuit of Northern Quebec by providing informative programs in Inuktitut;
- To address and prevent problems faced by Inuit youth and Inuit families by reducing the isolation by way of multimedia communication;
- To do all such other things as are incidental and ancillary to the attainment of the purposes and the exercise of the powers of the Corporation.