Inuit JBNQA Beneficiary Enrolment

Understanding Beneficiary Status under the JBNQA

The concept of “Beneficiary” was established during the negotiations of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA) to maintain a registry of individuals entitled to its rights and benefits. At the time the Agreement was signed, beneficiary status was granted either at birth or through marriage to an existing beneficiary. However, following the signing of Complementary Agreement No. 18 in 2006, eligibility is now determined based on five identity-related criteria:

  1. The applicant must be alive;
  2. The applicant must be a Canadian citizen;
  3. The applicant must be recognized as an Inuk, in accordance with Inuit customs and traditions;
  4. The applicant must self-identify as an Inuk; and
  5. The applicant must be associated with an Inuit community.

All five criteria are cumulative, meaning an individual must meet each one to be eligible for beneficiary status.

It is important to note that no person can be enrolled under the JBNQA while also enrolled under any other Canadian aboriginal land claims agreement or treaty. For example, it is not possible to be both an Inuit and a Cree JBNQA beneficiary.

Once enrolled as an Inuit beneficiary of the JBNQA, a person’s status is permanent. Exceptions apply for those whose entitlement was based on marriage prior to 2006: in such cases, beneficiary status may be revoked in the event of divorce, separation, or the spouse’s death. Beneficiaries may also choose at any time to discontinue their enrolment under the JBNQA.

A beneficiary who lives outside Nunavik for ten (10) consecutive years or more is not entitled to exercise rights or receive benefits under the JBNQA, unless the absence is for education, health, or employment with an Inuit organization.

Community Enrolment Committee

The Community Enrolment Committee is responsible for reviewing beneficiary applications according to the criteria established under the JBNQA. Each Inuit community has its own Community Enrolment Committee, which is composed of the Landholding Corporation’s Board of Directors and one Elder affiliated with the community. The Elder is appointed by the LHC for a two-year term.

The Community Enrolment Committee is tasked with receiving and reviewing applications, deciding on affiliation requests and out-of-territory status and submitting decisions to the Nunavik Enrolment Office

Anyone who disagrees with a Community Enrolment Committee decision may request a review by the Nunavik Enrolment Review Committee within twelve (12) months of the decision. The decisions made by the Nunavik Enrollment Review Committee are final and binding.

Nunavik Enrolment Office

The official list of Inuit JBNQA Beneficiaries is maintained and regularly updated by the Nunavik Enrolment Office, an organization operating under the authority of the Makivik Corporation. For any questions about the register or related benefits, please contact them directly by phone at (819) 964‑2925.

Customary Adoption

Customary adoption has been practised for generations and remains an important part of Inuit culture and family life. It reflects Inuit values of sharing, kinship, and community support.

Inuit customary adoption is legally recognized under Section 543 of the Civil Code of Québec. To formalize a customary adoption, the Form G – Declaration of Inuit Customary Adoption must be completed and submitted to the Nunavik Enrolment Office at P.O. Box 179, Kuujjuaq (QC) J0M 1C0.

If you have any questions about the Form G or the customary adoption process, please contact the Nunavik Community Justice Centre at 1-833-455-8055 for guidance and support.

Public Forms

These forms must be completed and forwarded directly to the appropriate landholding corporation along with all required documents. Please note that the Nunaliit Association does not process these applications.