The voices of Nunavik elders were heard at this year's Elders/Leaders retreat held in Montreal, December 1-2. The six official elders, representing the elders of Nunavik, met with elected leaders and key advisors from Nunavik organizatons: KRG, KSB, NRBHSS, Makivik, as well as the President of Saputiit Youth, Saturviit Women and the LHC Association.
The meeting followed discussions from last year's meeting in Tuqsukattaq, where the theme was the well being of Nunavik and the future of its children. This year the main discussion centered around the situation of children in Nunavik and how to find a solution to the alarming rate of children being removed from their families. Communities need to work with Youth Protection to find alternative and local solutions.
Upon motion by Lizzie Niviaxie, an elder and seconded by Jonathan Epoo, President of the Saputiit Youth Association , supported unanimously by all present, it was declared that the utmost priority of the Nunavik leaders is the wellbeing of children.
In concluding their discussion, it was decided that there will be a mass campaign and public discussion through the Taqramiut Nipingat Radio to denounce the removal of children from their families and that Nunavimmiut work to find alternative solutions to the breaking up of families and at the same time ensure the safety of children according to the Youth Protection laws.
Mrs. Illashuk Pauyungi , as a radio host, was mandated to lead the public discussions through interviews of the participants of this meeting as well as initiating a public talk show for all of Nunavik on this important and sensitive issue.
The second step, that was identified to move towards action, was to have the Regional Partnership Committee, which consists of members of all Nunavik organizations, discuss with the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services Planning and Programming Director as well as the two Directors of Youth Protection on finding possible ways to do intervention of the parents of children who have been signaled by youth services. This would be put on their agenda at their next meeting which will be held on December l4 and l5, 2009. Measures such as putting the parents of children on contract to deal with consequences of their action would be put to discussion, as well as the possibility of opening community resource centres for child advocacy, family counseling and other services that could be provided outside of youth and social services by involving local traditional caregivers and elders.
“Rebuilding families, investing in our people is our priority and Nunavik has to find its own solutions to these serious concerns that affect our children.” Minnie Grey
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