Canadian North donates $21,000 to Arctic Children and Youth Foundation

Inuit-owned airline announced the amount of the donation at a June 21 press conference at ACYF’s Umingmak Centre in Iqaluit

By Tom Taylor Nothern News Services Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Last week, Inuit-owned airline Canadian North announced a $21,000 donation to the Arctic Children and Youth Foundation (ACYF).

The airline’s donation was revealed at a June 21 press conference at the foundation’s Umingmak Centre in Iqaluit.

Trade shows seeks applications

Rankin Inlet

The Kivalliq Trade Show is gearing up for its 2023 show, scheduled for late September, and is seeking applications for the art market and fashion show.

It will be the 14th annual Kivalliq Trade Show in Rankin Inlet. Artists will have the opportunity to display and sell their creation during a two-day art market, while the fashion show will take place the evening of the opening day Tuesday, Sept. 26.

The art market committee and entertainment committee will select and sponsor 12 artists from Kivalliq communities and up to four Rankin Inlet artists to participate in both the art market and workshop.

The trade show offers return airfare to Rankin Inlet from Kivalliq communities for the event for people chosen, as well as accommodation in billeted homes and ground transportation.

More information can be found at www. kivalliqtradeshow.ca

KIA transfers funds

Kivalliq

The Kivalliq Inuit Association announced the transfer of more than $82 million of its legacy fund to a different account from its operating account.

KIA receives money from mining royalties, quarry permits, water use fees, Sakku Investments, Inuit impact beneficiary agreements and other ventures, the total of which is owned by Inuit beneficiaries of the Kivalliq region.

The latest calculations, says KIA, conclude that there is approximately $112 million in its account.

The KIA finance committee informed the KIA board and membership that legacy fund monies were successfully separated from KIA’s operating bank account to a separate account owned by KIA in late May.

A total of $82,216,176 was moved from the operating account.

“This money is not being spent,” wrote the KIA press release. “This money needed to be separated from the operating monies to further the implementation of By-Law #2 and fulfill its benefits to Beneficiaries of the Kivalliq Region at a future date.”

Nunavut Parks holds weekly events

Rankin Inlet

Nunavut Parks is continuing its summer “Learn to…” weekly events at Iqalugaarjuup Nunanga Territorial Park every Wednesday afternoon.

The first scheduled event was for June 21 to learn about traditional Inuit stories. Until the end of August, weekly events will cover learning to make a harpoon, play traditional Inuit games, making Bannock, using a GPS, making wall hangings and more.

To register of find out more, call Nunavut Parks at 867-645-8006.

“It’s important to Canadian North to help support the communities that we serve,” said Cindy Twerdin, associate vice-president of government and community relations at Canadian North. “These are the communities that our customers, passengers and employees live in.

“We are dedicated to supporting Inuit and Indigenous businesses and charities,” she added. “We continue to strive to increase prosperity in the North and we feel this starts with our children.”

Funds for Canadian North’s donation were raised at the company’s annual charity Christmas program last December, when corporate clients were invited to make contributions in exchange for airline ticket certificates.

“Every year we choose a different charity,” Twerdin said, explaining how ACYF was chosen. “The selection was made by a committee who discussed different charities to choose from.

“This charity is close to Canadian North’s heart, as protecting and supporting our youth and children is imperative to a growing and strong community.”

ACYF was created in 2003 by Mary Simon, who now serves as Canada’s Governor General, and Senator Landon Pearson. The foundation works to improve the lives of children and youth in the Canadian Arctic.

“With support from donors like Canadian North, we can fund programming and services for our communities’ children and youth,” ACYF executive director Sarah Clark said at the press conference.

ACYF’s Umingmak Centre, a child advocacy centre, has been open since 2019, and “has supported upwards of 100 clients every year” in the time since, according to Clark.

“The team works with RCMP, community social services workers, and the [Department of] Health to support clients after a disclosure of abuse,” she said. “The centre also provides counselling and collaborates with relevant stakeholders to advocate for the best care possible for our children.

“This summer we are starting a cabin and tent program to provide more outdoor, culturally relevant activities during our time with clients,” said Clark. “We have hired an Inuk family wellness counsellor to provide support to caregivers as we are moving towards supporting families.”

ACYF also operates a program called Qupanuaq Services, which works to support families as they apply for the Inuit Child First Initiative, a federal initiative that aims to provide Inuit young people with government-funded health, social and educational support.

The program commenced in 2020, and has served more than 1,600 children and youth since then.

Both the Umingmak Centre and Qupanuaq Services program predominantly serve the Qikiqtaaluk region.

“We are based out of Iqaluit but hope to develop further into communities as capacity and need allow,” said Clark. “We thank Canadian North and the representatives here for their generous donation and look forward to future collaborations to support our communities.”