Iqaluit (Feb 20/06) - Iqaluit has been chosen the location for the new Nunavut Heritage Centre.

Louis Tapardjuk, minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, called Iqaluit the most "appropriate" location to capitalize on existing infrastructure and resources, while providing the greatest exposure.

Louis Tapardjuk, minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, announced Feb. 17 the Nunavut Heritage Centre site will be in Iqaluit. - Jillian Dickens/NNSL photo

Tapardjuk said a smaller, less centralized community wasn't chosen because the centre is not part of the devolution effort.

"Repatriation (of Inuit artifacts) is our main goal," he said.

Exactly where in Iqaluit the centre will be built is still unknown.

In 2004, Inuit Heritage Trust and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. formed a working group with the government to select the site and develop a financing strategy. Leaders from each organization made the announcement.

They are still working on financing, hoping to tap into federal funds and to encourage sponsorship to pay for the estimated $55 million structure.

Earmarked for the project is $10 million of the $40 million Northern Strategy funds, as was announced late last year.

Countless Inuit artifacts like hunting equipment and tools are either stored or displayed out of territory, said NTI president Paul Kaludjuk.

"This centre will give the artifacts worldwide exposure," he said.

Many of these priceless artifacts are stored in boxes and "haven't been seen for years," because there is no facility to showcase them, said IHT president Luke Suluk.

"They need to be brought home so Inuit can learn from them," said Suluk.

No one could say when construction will begin, but Tapardjuk estimated sometime before 2010.

A site option feasibility study was done for Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, Arviat, Cambridge Bay, Baker Lake, Iglulik, Pond Inlet and Kugaaruk.