Friday, February 27, 2026
Save the Date! Arctic Inspiration Prize Ceremony to take place on May 5, 2026, in Whitehorse, in collaboration with the Arctic Indigenous Investment Conference (AIIC).
The Arctic Inspiration Prize (AIP) and the Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce (YFNCC) are excited to announce a partnership that will see the Annual AIP Ceremony take place during the Arctic Indigenous Investment Conference (AIIC) on May 5, 2026.
“We are honoured to continue our long-standing partnership with the Arctic Inspiration Prize and to welcome the AIP Ceremony back to Whitehorse,” said Richard Eden, Executive Director, YFNCC. “Over the years, this collaboration has highlighted the strength, creativity, and leadership of Northern and Indigenous innovators, and we’re proud to bring these celebrations home once again through the Arctic Indigenous Investment Conference.”
“The AIP is thrilled to partner once again with the YFNCC to bring our ceremony to Whitehorse and celebrate this year’s finalists and winners, at home in the North as part of the Arctic Indigenous Investment Conference!” said Wally Schumann, Chair of the AIP Charitable Trust. “With approximately $3.7 million up for grabs, we’re excited to see the ideas that come forward from communities stretching from Labrador to Yukon.”
Stay tuned for more about the ceremony, including this year’s line-up of performers. The Arctic Inspiration Prize awards start-up funds to innovative projects driven by Northerners from inception through implementation with impacts in the North. There are two prize categories: $1 Million (1 prize for 1 team) and AIP (up to $500K to 4 teams). There is also a youth-specific prize – the Arctic Inspiration Youth Prize! This is for youth-driven teams where up to 7 teams can take home up to $100,000. Find out more: arcticinspirationprize.ca/ and arcticinspirationprize.ca/youth-prize/.
About the Arctic Inspiration Prize
As the largest annual prize in Canada, the Arctic Inspiration Prize (AIP) inspires, enables and celebrates the achievements of the people of the North. The AIP recognizes diverse teams and enables their innovative projects in the fields of education; health and wellbeing; culture, arts and language; science and traditional knowledge; climate change; food security; and the economy. Each year, the AIP awards: one $1 million prize, up to four prizes of up to $500,000 each, and up to seven youth prizes of up to $100,000 each. The AIP is owned and governed by the northern-led AIP Charitable Trust and is a community of Indigenous organizations, governments, industry, philanthropy, and many other partners from the North and South.
The Arctic Indigenous Investment Conference (AIIC)
The Arctic Indigenous Investment Conference (AIIC) is a pan-northern investment conference that connects capital to Indigenous priorities and projects across the Arctic: Yukon, NWT, Nunavut, Alaska, and beyond. We focus on practical pathways to
For media requests:
Lizzy Devine
Senior Manager, Marketing and Brand
613-808-0489
[email protected]
Web: arcticinspirationprize.ca
Facebook: /ArcticPrize
Instagram: @ArcticInspirationPrize
