NorTerra's Creation

NorTerra was created over 23 years ago in 1985, when IDC and Nunasi came together as partners to buy Northern Transportation Company Limited (NTCL) from the Government of Canada.  The goal in forming NorTerra was to create wealth and opportunity for the current and future generations of Inuvialuit and Inuit by achieving equal and meaningful participation within the northern and national economies. Embedded in this is the vision of Inuit and Inuvialuit leadership – respect earned through real accomplishment, self-sufficiency through opportunity, participation through employment and skill development, equality through contribution, meaning through success.

This purchase was a natural fit for both IDC and Nunasi, as NTCL provide marine resupply services to many Arctic communities and was an important lifeline in northern transportation. It marked the beginning of a long-standing business partnership between the Inuvialuit of the Western Arctic and the Inuit of Nunavut.

Continued Growth

NorTerra has grown into a diversified company by strategically reinvesting earnings – by buying and managing companies.  Annual reserves have grown to $500 million since the purchase of NTCL by IDC and Nunasi who each invested $1 of capital. IDC and Nunasi have never used land claims money to acquire, or operate, any of the NorTerra companies.

NorTerra’s sound business principles and practices have allowed it to expand operations throughout all regions of Canada, providing diversified services such as marine operations through NTCL, commercial airline operations including scheduled passenger service, freight and charter services through Canadian North, heavy equipment attachment design and manufacturing through Weldco-Beales Manufacturing, the sale of industrial equipment supplies through Northern Industrial Sales, and reliable logistics management, procurement and freight forwarding services by Braden-Burry Expediting.

Our Commitment

NorTerra is committed to being a key player in the development of territorial economies by Inuit and Inuvialuit ownership of key northern infrastructure. We place a strong focus on youth development and education for our beneficiaries.  As NorTerra grows, we will build shareholder value with each step ensuring traditional Inuit and Inuvialuit values are part of the corporate culture throughout the NorTerra Group of Companies.