2026 Arrow in the Arctic Grant Recipients
The Arrow in the Arctic Committee is excited to award $18,408 to literacy-focused organizations in Canada’s Northwest Territories.
Pi Beta Phi’s Canadian philanthropy, Arrow in the Arctic, supports literacy across Canada’s Northwest Territories. Through Arrow in the Arctic grants, organizations receive funding for literacy programs, books and materials in English and native languages of the Northwest Territories, helping expand access to while honoring Inuit and First Nations cultures.
In 2026, the Arrow in the Arctic Committee awarded $18,408 to six literacy-focused organizations. See how this year’s recipients plan to use their grants to strengthen literacy in their communities.
Northwest Territories Literacy Council
In partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the Northwest Territories Literacy Council provides high-quality, age-specific books to children from birth to five years old, mailed directly to their home each month. This grant will provide books for up to 40 children, helping families across the Northwest Territories build their home libraries and encourage a love of reading from an early age.
Sioux – Hudson Literacy Council
The Sioux – Hudson Literacy Council is developing Strong Foundations: Northern Plain Language Literacy Resource Bank, a collection of practical, plain-language guides for adults in northern and remote communities who face barriers to accessing traditional in-person education and literacy programs. This initiative will create a sustainable library of 15-20 guides focused on real-world reading, writing and comprehension skills.
Northwest Territories Public Library Services
This grant will support collection development for the Hay River Public Library, including books by Northwest Territories authors, focused on the region’s history and Indigenous cultures. The collection will also include books in the Indigenous languages.
Yellowknife Public Library – nominated by John Mutford
Yellowknife Public Library will use their grant to expand its collection of children’s books in local Indigenous languages. The library also plans to bring these stories to life through author visits and story times presented in native languages.
United for Literacy
United for Literacy reaches approximately 40,000 children, youth and adult learners across Canada every year. This grant will help purchase books for children and families in four communities that have hosted the Nunavut Essential Skills for Trades Program—providing instruction and tutoring support to adult learners across Nunavut with a goal of starting a career in the skilled trades.
Friends of Iqaluit Centennial Library – nominated by the Friends of Iqaluit
The Friends of Iqaluit Centennial Library plans to use their grant to purchase headphones and a projector to create more engaging and accessible literacy experiences. Headphones will support audio books, audio-assisted reading, music literacy and listening in native languages. The projector will support writing instruction, digital storytelling and presentations, as well as allow books to be projected for group reading.
Together, these projects are expanding access to books, literacy resources and learning opportunities in communities across Canada’s North. Applications for 2027 Arrow in the Arctic grants will open in late Fall 2026. If you know a literacy organization in the Arctic that advances literacy while honoring Inuit and First Nations cultures, encourage them to apply for an Arrow in the Arctic grant.