Inuit Broadcasting Corporation
A Window to the Arctic

The Inuit Broadcasting Corporation provides a window to the Arctic by producing award winning television programming by Inuit, for Inuit. IBC is indeed, Nunavut’s public producer.

IBC does not produce the regular fare of TV sitcoms and talk shows. Instead, IBC producers make programming about one of the richest and enduring cultures in our nation, the Inuit of Canada, in the language Inuit speak…Inuktitut. We produce shows about our kids, our musicians, our politicians, our humour, our issues, etc. No one else can make these shows for us!

Our programming has been internationally recognized as one of the most successful communication models for developing nations. Our training programs have been emulated across Canada and the world beyond. With IBC, Canada has a national treasure that cannot be replaced.

Inuit communities are separated by huge distances in Nunavut, a region that makes up 1/3 of Canada’s landmass. The only way in or out of communities is by plane or skidoo. The only roads connecting communities are electronic. IBC programming travels by satellite via the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), an aboriginal network featuring Inuit, First Nations and Metis programming from across Canada and around the world.

IBC has 2 production centres in Nunavut, with 15 Inuit staff at every level of the production chain, from director of network programming to technical producer to administrative assistant. All programming is conceived, designed and produced by Inuit, for Inuit.

IBC’s newest initiative is the establishment of the Inuit Film and Video Archives (IFVA). With the assistance from many partners, IBC created the IFVA in 2015 to manage and house its videotape library and growing digital collection. The IFVA contains over 9,000 hours valued at approximately $60 million dating back to the late 1970s and early 1980s. It chronicles, from the Inuit perspective, the division of the territories, the creation of key national Inuit organizations, the concept and signing of Inuit land claims, the creation of Nunavut, through to the evolution of a new political, social and cultural environment . There are contributions of many elders who have since passed on and whose knowledge, wisdom and practices are preserved in the collection. The library also contains material of entertainment value.

IBC is partially funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage. Other sources include – Nunavut government programs, license fees, production funds, program sales, fundraising, etc.