Elders' Retreat 2008

This year’s Elders' Retreat took place in a camp called Tuqsukattaq, outside the community of Puvirnituq. The meeting lasted for 2 days from September 4 to 6. Leaders of Inuit organizations such as the Makivik Executive, Nunavik Government Negotiators, Kativik School Board, Kativik Regional Government,  Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services, Avataq Cultural Institute, Kativik Municipal Housing Bureau, and last but not least the selected Elders of Nunavik attended.

Photos: Kitty Gordon, Makivik Corporation

The well-being of Nunavik and the future of its children was the theme of the gathering. At the top of the agenda was an opening prayer, followed by welcoming remarks from the chairman of the meeting, Harry Tulugak. Then there was a review of last year’s discussions and conclusions which concentrated on identifying today’s Nunavik social issues.

This year’s retreat was to talk about what actions should be taken and it was agreed by all participants at this event that any efforts being taken need the involvement of elders, so that their knowledge be taken into consideration when action is being planned.

It was also agreed that a good start would be to have a field trip by elders. This will be planned for the coming year, to have two elders per coast visiting their respective communities so that discussions can be held in trying to mobilize the community on addressing some of the social issues that are being faced.  It is our hope that they have access to a resource person to facilitate their work. The question of funding for this will be discussed further with the Ungaluk Program and more discussions need to be held with the organizations as to how this will be organized and who will coordinate it.

For a more detailed outline of the Elders Retreat, please look for it in the upcoming issue of Makivik Magazine.

Kitty Gordon/Minnie Grey

• September 16, 2008
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