NR 05-42 YAE ENG Elders and Youth.doc

(November 18, 2005 – Cambridge Bay, Nunavut) Elders and youth were on the minds of the members of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.’s Annual Meeting today during the passing of two new resolutions.

The first resolution directed the NTI Finance Committee to investigate possible funding sources to be used to hire an Elders’ support person in each community, and to purchase one vehicle per community to assist Inuit Elders. AGM members directed the Finance Committee to develop a report on the new ideas for NTI’s Board of Directors, who will then decide what level of support will be provided by NTI for the initiative.

Elders, and Elders with disabilities face particular hardship in Nunavut communities. They are an extremely important part of our culture and we have to examine the feasibility of taking action to improve their lives, said NTI President Paul Kaludjak.

The second resolution called on NTI’s Department of Social and Cultural Development to support the development of a Nunavut Inuit Youth Council to serve as a Nunavut-wide organization to represent the interests and concerns of Inuit youth. The newly created Qaujisaqtiit Society will investigate sources of funding for the organization.

Members also directed NTI employees to explore the development of an Inuit youth cultural education program to be offered by the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Education as part of the public school curriculum.

Both resolutions also called for NTI to investigate funding sources for a 2006 Elders and Youth Conference.

For further information:

Kerry McCluskey
Director of Communications
Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated
Tel: (867) 975-4914
Cell: (867) 975-1337
Toll-free: 1-888-646-0006