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Inuit Non Insured Health Benefits – for Inuit and Service Providers
Developing Inuit Cultural Competencies
Indigenous Specific Racism Complaint Line
Inuit Non Insured Health Benefits
Inuit health benefits are provided through the Non-insured health benefits program, which provides eligible clients with coverage for a specified range of medically necessary health-related goods and services when not covered through private insurance plans or provincial health and social programs.
This includes prescription drugs, over-the-counter medication, medical supplies and equipment, mental health counselling, dental care, vision care, and medical transportation. The approved prescribed medicines can be found here.
An eligible client must be identified as a resident of Canada. They must also be registered through Land Claim organization. If you are Inuk and a resident of BC, and if your prescription is eligible under NIHBs, please be sure to ask the pharmacist to kindly check again using the NIHB approved list. If it is a medication that is not covered, you can ask the pharmacist if they can recommend an equivalent that is covered. For some over-the-counter prescriptions, you can ask the pharmacist if they can perscribe it to you for coverage. For any barriers to access, please email us at bcmiut@gmail.com, with the location of the pharmacy and the medication prescription, so that we can start to gain better insight and address with the Province of BC at a systemic level.
A child less than 2 years old, whose parent is an eligible client, is also eligible.
Parents can register their child at any age with their land claim organization and then register with NIHB for their own N number, see details below. NIHB can be contacted at 1-800-232-7301.
For any barriers to access, please email us at bcmiut@gmail.com, with the location of the pharmacy and the medication prescription, so that we can start to gain better insight and address with the Province of BC and the Federal government at a systemic level.
For any experiences of racism, please be sure to call the Indigenous specific racism complaints line for support. And please reach out to a loved or trusted one for some extra love and support to reaffirm that you are cared for and you matter.
Service Providers – Pharmacies, dentists, doctors, optometrists, please help us end Indigenous specific racism, by signing up with Express Scripts, the platform for Non-Insured Health Benefits. If you encounter any barriers please email us at BCmiut@gmail.com
Inuit Government Regional Contacts:
Julia Naujuk
Health Coordinator
Department of Social and Cultural Development
JNaujuk@tunngavik.com
(867) 975-7581
Nunatsiavut Region
Toll-Free: 1-866-606-9750 extension 224
Abigail Webb
NIHB Manager
Nunatsiavut Government
Work: 709-896-3165
Cell: 709-899-0328
Abigail.Webb@nunatsiavut.com
Inuvialuit Region
Toll-Free: 1-855-777-7011
Onida Banksland
Health System Navigator
Health and Wellness Division
Inuvialuit Regional Corporation
obanksland@inuvialuit.com
(867) 777-7028
Nunavik Region and Out of Region office:
Toll-free: 1-844-442-6442 (NIHB)
ssna.rrsssn@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
Out of Region Office (Dorval Quebec)
Isabelle Aubin
Director, Out Region Office
isabelle.aubin.rr17@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
Inuit Child First Initiative
The Inuit Child First Initiative ensures that Inuit children up to 18 years of age (or the age of majority in their province or territory) have timely access to essential health, social, and educational supports, addressing gaps in funding and service delivery. Equivalent to Jordan’s Principle for First Nations children, this initiative provides flexible support tailored to a child’s unique needs, covering essentials ranging from baby formula to participation in land-based camps and specialized care.
To apply, a key step is obtaining a letter of support or referral from a professional who knows the child, such as a nurse, doctor, youth support worker, counselor, or contact through a local Friendship Centre. Requests are submitted through the same regional focal points used for Jordan’s Principle.
When submitting an application or reaching out for information, we encourage you to CC bcmiut@gmail.com. If you encounter any barriers, delays, or administrative hurdles along the way, please follow up with us at bcmiut@gmail.com so we can assist you in advocating for your child’s needs.
Developing Inuit Cultural Competencies
To strengthen distinction-based care and effectively bridge gaps in colonial systems, aspiring Inuit allies can access grounded, practice-focused learning tools specifically centered on Inuit knowledge and communication. You can begin by exploring the Can-SOLVE CKD Network’s resource on Honouring Inuit Knowledge, which highlights the importance of land-based health, food security, and community-led models of care that align with Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ).
To better understand relational communication and trauma-informed interactions from an Inuit patient perspective, navigators can review the guidance on Expectations in the Healthcare Setting by the Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre, which offers crucial insights into patient interactions, non-verbal communication, and building trust.
For broader organization-wide learning or group training tailored to clinical and support teams, organizations can connect directly with Akiani Consulting to access specialized cultural safety and competency consulting services.
Indigenous Specific Racism Complaint Line
Every individual deserves to receive safe, respectful, and dignified care, free from discrimination. If you want to share your specific story of experiencing or witnessing Indigenous-specific racism within the B.C. health care system, you can connect directly with the independent investigation team. By calling toll-free at 1-888-600-3078, patients, families, and health care workers can confidentially report incidents and help drive accountability, systemic change, and safety for Indigenous peoples across the province.