September 17, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(IQALUIT, NU) – Today, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster announced two new ocean innovation projects valued at over $19 million, including the $4.3 million SIKU Ocean AI Tools Project led by The Arctic Eider Society.
SIKU, the Indigenous-led technology platform transforming how Arctic communities access, share and apply knowledge, is expanding its capabilities through innovative tools focused on three key areas: sustainable seafood economies, marine safety and transportation, and Indigenous ocean technology.
Named after the Inuktitut word for “sea ice,” SIKU has become a groundbreaking digital platform that brings together Indigenous knowledge and scientific research to support community priorities across Canada’s Arctic and coastal regions. Through the project, full-time positions will be created to support data management, integration, and Indigenous data sovereignty frameworks, ensuring greater control for Indigenous communities over their own knowledge.
This project enables the SIKU platform to deliver advanced data analysis, fisheries monitoring, and ice navigation tools to support more than 100 active projects currently operating on the platform, while helping Indigenous communities increase participation in the ocean economy.
The project is led by Sanikiluaq, NU-based Arctic Eider Society in partnership with SmartICE. With a total project value of $4.3 million, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is investing $1.9 million through their Indigenous Coastal Innovation Challenge, with the balance of funding coming from project partners.
The integration of these new capabilities into the SIKU platform will further strengthen the sustainable ocean economy, enhance northern marine safety, contribute to Indigenous data sovereignty, and position Canada as a global leader in Arctic technology, ocean innovation, and Indigenous-led research.
To learn more about the opportunities to advance sustainable, inclusive, and globally competitive ocean growth in the Arctic, read OSC’s Arctic Insights Report. Developed by Canada’s Ocean Supercluster in partnership with its 28-member Arctic Innovation Steering Committee, the Arctic Insights Report brings together perspectives from Indigenous organizations, northern communities, industry, researchers, governments, and Arctic partners.
Through Ambition 2035 and together with Canada’s ocean community, we are bold in our ambition to grow Canada’s ocean economy 5X to $220 billion by 2035. Continued investment in the accelerated development and commercialization of globally relevant, made-in-Canada ocean solutions will help us realize this ambition. Read more about recommendations to help achieve this transformational growth opportunity outlined in Charting the Course to 5X Growth in Canada’s Ocean Economy and the projected benefits to Canada here.
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Media Contacts
Nancy Andrews
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca
About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster accelerates the development and commercialization of made-in-Canada ocean solutions in Blue Food, Arctic and Security, Ocean Energy, and Marine Decarbonization, while also growing more companies, creating more jobs, and attracting ocean talent. As Canada’s national ocean cluster, the OSC is a convenor of members, partners, and networks and a catalyst for transformative growth that helps build the robust ecosystem needed to help realize Ambition 2035 – a 5X growth potential in ocean in Canada by 2035. To date, the OSC has approved 160 projects valued at more than $600 million, which will deliver more than 300 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world. Every dollar invested in Ocean Supercluster projects generates more than five times its value in GDP contribution, with the following economic benefits to Canada as of March 2025:
- $1.7 billion in total economic output
- $1 billion in GDP contribution
- ️Nearly $748 million in total labour income
- ️Close to 10,000 jobs created
- ️$286 million in total tax revenues generated
Quotes
“Through these projects, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, one of Canada’s global innovation clusters, and its partners will help strengthen the resilience of northern and coastal communities. The Government of Canada is proud to support initiatives that create new opportunities in the ocean economy and enhance the well-being of those living and working in the North. By investing in innovative, community-driven solutions, we are helping ensure all Canadians benefit from safer waterways and stronger local economies.” – The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
“Safe access to the water is critically important to Nunavut communities. These projects will enhance environmental monitoring capacity and marine safety, further strengthening coastal communities in the territory. They reflect the leadership and vision of the Inuit in building a stronger future for Nunavut.” – Lori Idlout, Member of Parliament for Nunavut
“We are excited to announce the SIKU Ocean AI Tools Project. Through this project, we’re supporting new opportunities for Indigenous communities, economic growth, and safer marine operations while advancing Indigenous data sovereignty by ensuring communities have greater control over their own knowledge, data, and future.” – Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
“This project is helping communities to run their own projects on exploratory fisheries, research and ice monitoring using SIKU, and have Indigenous knowledge play a key role in science and decision making.” – Lucassie Arragutainaq, Chair and Co-Founder, Arctic Eider Society