PREAMBLE – RECOGNIZING
THAT we, the Inuit, are an indigenous people, with a unique ancestry, culture and homeland;
THAT the world’s arctic and sub-arctic areas which we use and occupy transcend political boundaries;
THAT due to our historical inheritance and use and occupancy of our homeland we enjoy cultural rights unique to indigenous peoples and share common traditions, values and concerns;
THAT the Inuit homeland and its resources are of critical importance to the international community;
THAT international and national policies and practices should give due consideration to protection for the arctic and sub-arctic environment and to the preservation and evolution of Inuit culture and societies;
THAT our right to self-determination must be confirmed and Inuit participation in policies and activities affecting our homeland assured;
THAT in furtherance of our spirit of co-operation with the international community, we seek to promote world peace and the objectives of this Charter;
THAT an international organization of Inuit, known as the INUIT CIRCUMPOLAR COUNCIL dedicated to protect and advance Inuit rights and interest on the international level, has been created by a resolution unanimously adopted on June 15, 1977 in Barrow, Alaska;
A FORMAL CHARTER FOR THE INUIT CIRCUMPOLAR COUNCIL IS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO CONTINUE THE ENDEAVOURS INITIATED BY THE CONFERENCE AND TO IMPLEMENT ITS RESOLUTIONS AND WE, THE INUIT OF THE CIRCUMPOLAR REGION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRINCIPLES OF EQUALITY, FRIENDSHIP AND RESPECT, HEREBY ACCEPT AND AGREE TO THIS CHARTER, THE PROVISIONS OF WHICH ARE SET FORTH BELOW.
ARTICLE 1 – DEFINITIONS
1. “Aboriginal rights and interests” mean those collective and individual rights and interests which are unique to indigenous peoples.
2. “Circumpolar region” means the Inuit homeland.
3. “Delegate” means a delegate of a Member Party appointed in accordance with the provisions of this Charter.
4. “Delegation” means all persons appointed or elected by a Member Party to attend a session of ICC as a Delegate.
5. “ICC” means the Inuit Circumpolar Council.
6. “Inuit” means indigenous members of the Inuit homeland recognized by Inuit as being members of their people and shall include the Inupiat, Yupik (Alaska), Inuit, Inuvialuit (Canada), Kalaallit (Greenland) and Yupik (Russia).
7. “Inuit homeland” means those arctic and sub-arctic areas where, presently or traditionally, Inuit have Aboriginal rights and interests.
8. “Member Party” means each of Inuit Circumpolar Council – Canada, Inuit Circumpolar Council – Alaska, Inuit Circumpolar Council – Greenland and Inuit Circumpolar Council – Chukotka. Each Member Party shall organize itself as the laws of its home jurisdiction permit.
ARTICLE 2 – OFFICIAL NAME
The official name of the ICC shall be the “Inuit Circumpolar Council”.
ARTICLE 3 – PURPOSES
The purposes of the Conference are:
a) to strengthen unity among the Inuit of the Circumpolar region;
b) to promote Inuit rights and interests on the international level;
c) to ensure Inuit participation in political, economic and social institutions which we, the Inuit, deem relevant;
d) to promote greater self-sufficiency of Inuit in the Circumpolar region;
e) to ensure the endurance and the growth of Inuit culture and societies for both present and future generations;
f) to promote long-term management and protection of arctic and sub-arctic wildlife, environment and biological productivity; and
g) to promote wise management and use of non-renewable resources in the circumpolar region and incorporating such resources in the present and future development of Inuit economies, taking into account other Inuit interests.
ARTICLE 4 – FUNCTIONS AND POWERS
ICC shall have the following functions and powers to carry out the purposes and principles declared in the Charter:
a) to establish policies, principles and positions in matters affecting Inuit and the Circumpolar region, in accordance with resolutions duly passed for such purposes;
b) to further exchange information among Member Parties and to disseminate information to the international community;
c) to support actions for political, economic and social justice for Inuit;
d) to participate in, or make representations to, international organizations concerned with matters affecting Inuit interests;
e) to undertake appropriate action, where necessary, in accordance with resolutions duly passed for such purposes;
f) to undertake and assist research in areas of interest to Inuit;
g) to recommend measures to be taken to further Inuit common interests;
h) to otherwise act so as to carry out the purposes of this Charter.
ARTICLE 5 – MEMBERSHIP
The members of ICC shall be the Member Parties who are described in Article 1(8).
ARTICLE 6 – ORGANIZATION
There are established as the principal organizations of ICC a General Assembly and an Executive Council, each of which shall be lead by the Chair. In addition, each Member Party shall maintain a place of business in its home jurisdiction to fulfill the purposes of ICC.
ARTICLE 7 – GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The General Assembly shall consist of all recognized Delegates at a meeting duly called and convened.
Each meeting of the General Assembly shall be attended by the Delegates. Canada, Alaska and Greenland shall designate 18 delegates, and Chukota shall designate 12 delegates to attend meetings of the General Assembly in accordance with the provisions of the By-laws. A Delegate shall be responsible for furthering and promoting the objectives of ICC in the Inuit homeland of the Member Party where the Delegate resides.
The General Assembly shall:
a) consider and direct any affiliation of ICC with other international organizations or bodies;
b) determine policy of ICC and shall exercise the other powers conferred upon it by this Charter and the By-laws;
c) direct the making of reports or studies for internal use of ICC or for submission to other international organizations or bodies;
d) discuss any matter within the scope of ICC;
e) elect the Chair;
f) have all other powers necessary to conduct its business;
g) ratify the appointment of members of the Executive Council selected by each Member Party; and
h) take decisions on any matter specifically referred to it for this purpose by the Executive Council and shall propose matters for consideration by the Executive Council and may request from the Executive Council reports on any matter relating to the purpose of ICC.
A meeting of the General Assembly shall occur at least every four years or more frequently as determined by the General Assembly or the Executive Council. All meetings of the General Assembly shall be open to the public unless otherwise determined by the Executive Council or the General Assembly.
ARTICLE 8 – EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
The Executive Council shall consist of the Chair and eight additional members, two of whom shall be selected by each Member Party as the representative of such Member Party on the Executive Council. These representatives shall be selected by each Member State in accordance with its own rules of procedure and each Member Party shall promptly fill any vacancies in such positions.
There shall be four Vice-Chairs, one from each Member Party. The two Executive Council members of each Member Party will decide between themselves or as otherwise agreed upon by the Member Party which such individual will become a Vice-Chair. A Vice-Chair shall be responsible for the administration and supervision of ICC’s office in that Member Party’s jurisdiction and for the establishment and maintenance of an ICC presence in such Member Party’s jurisdiction.
The Executive Council members and the Vice-Chairs shall ensure the operation of ICC between meetings of the General Assembly. The Executive Council shall operate by consensus.
4. Delegate Section
Executive Council members and the Chair shall automatically be among the 18 Delegates from such Member Party at the next General Assembly.
The Executive Council members shall be so organized as to be able to function continuously and shall hold at least two regular meetings each year. Special meetings may be called by the Chair at any time.
ARTICLE 9 – CHAIR
The Chair shall be elected by the Delegates at a meeting of the General Assembly in accordance with the provisions of the By-laws and on a vote of at least two-thirds of the Delegates of each Member Party eligible to vote. The Chair shall lead ICC and ensure the administrative and program functions of ICC and shall preside over all sessions of the General Assembly.
ARTICLE 10 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Each Member Party at every meeting of the General Assembly shall (i) table its financial statements for its fiscal periods since the last meeting of the General Assembly and (ii) assess the fiscal needs of ICC.
ARTICLE 11 – BY-LAWS
The General Assembly shall adopt by-laws to implement and make more specific the provisions of this Charter. All by-laws must be consistent with the articles of this Charter.
ARTICLE 12 – AMENDMENTS
This Charter shall be amended upon (i) the unanimous recommendation of the Executive Council who are present and (ii) the vote of two-thirds of the Delegates of each Member Party eligible to vote at a meeting of the General Assembly.
Inuit Circumpolar Council
Nuuk, July 1, 2010