Our Corporate Culture

IDC is fulfilling its vision of establishing a long-term and stable economic base for our shareholder, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation. There has been growth through investment, proven both by the profits returned to IDC and the increasing level of employment and training opportunities realized for the Inuvialuit. But we are more than the sum of our earnings and the employment opportunities we create.

We are proud to be 100% Inuvialuit owned, and we are always mindful of and grateful for the privileged position we hold in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. IDC is committed to supporting our communities and the people who call the Western Arctic home. As a successful business entity, our decisions are made to facilitate sustainable and meaningful profits for our shareholder. As a good corporate citizen, we facilitate much more.

Companies within the IDC group are not simply leaders in their field in business, they are leaders in community responsiveness as well. Each year, the IDC group of companies provides support for a wide variety of community events, including projects and key local organizations such as the Inuvik Youth Centre, the Great Northern Arts Festival, the Inuvik Petroleum Show, the Billy Joss Invitational Golf Tournament, the End of the Road Music Festival, all the community jamborees, local sports events, literacy activities and career fairs. This support ranges from full sponsorship and cash donations to in kind support, like providing merchandise and airline tickets for fundraising, or arranging for a load of hardwood to be delivered to a community. The level of in kind support is hard to quantify, but, combined with cash donations they exceed one million dollars annually.

Great corporate citizens, the IDC companies are in it for the long haul. One long-established example of responsiveness to our communities is the special rates and packages provided to the Inuvialuit by Aklak Air and Canadian North. As there is no public transportation, and limited access to our communities, both these airlines have stepped up to the plate, providing dependable and affordable transportation within and out of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region.

The Arctic Youth Leadership Expeditions (AYLE) program is another example of committed community responsiveness both within the IDC Portfolio and from our business partners and clients. In 2004, IDC launched the first Arctic Youth Leadership Expedition in an effort to provide effective and sustainable support to our aspiring young leaders. Our companies jumped at the chance to support this program. Not only do they provide long-term funding commitments for the leadership training expedition on the Horton River, they also assist with travel, gear, companies tours and most significantly, by encouraging their corporate clients to take an active role as well. The level of committed sponsorship has enabled the development of comprehensive follow-up programming, including advanced leadership training opportunities for committed AYLE Alumni. Since its inception, the AYLE program has enjoyed generous, committed sponsorship from key players in the oil and gas industry, and all the original sponsors are still on board. Click here to read first-hand what some of our sponsors are saying about the AYLE program!

In our every day operations we are steadfast in our commitment to ensure a sustainable legacy for the Inuvialuit. Across the IDC portfolio, our companies are committed to providing employment and training opportunities to the Inuvialuit. While staffing levels tend to fluctuate in relation to the economy, in 2009 a total of $10,020,000 in wages was paid to the 391 beneficiaries on staff. Our commitment extends beyond regular business operations into community involvement as well. Annually, we provide scholarships to young Inuvialuit seeking to advance their education, and professional development and training support for beneficiaries who are interested in employment skills development, education and mentoring opportunities with a view to advancing their careers. Commendably, many staff members from across our portfolio are deeply involved a wide range of community organizations, from volunteer support to board membership.