Arctic Bay, Nunavut – May 30, 2017 – The Qikiqtani Inuit Association has approved $100,000 for various community initiatives in Qikiqtani in the next five years through its Grants and Contribution program.

The funds will go to initiatives in numerous Qikiqtani communities including Arctic Bay.

“These kinds of events and initiatives help to build community connections and instill a sense of pride in our identity as Inuit,” says QIA president P.J. Akeeagok.

The approved projects include:

• $10,000 each year for the next five years for the annual Nunavut Quest
• $10,000 each year for the next five years for the annual Bowhead Whale Hunt in Qikiqtani
• $2,000 for the Aboriginal Head Start Program in Arctic Bay

“The Nunavut Quest is a huge annual event which travels from community to community,” says Norman Pauloosie the vice-chair of the Arctic Bay Nunavut Quest team, “this generous support from QIA will make it possible for us to preserve and foster dog team racing in Nunavut.”

The funding for the Nunavut Quest will help revive and sustain traditional dog team racing, an issue raised in The Qikiqtani Truth Commission (QTC) report.

QIA staff is working on guidelines for the funds designated for the annual Bowhead Whale Hunt to ensure that all Qikiqtani communities participating in the hunt have access to this money.

The Aboriginal Head Start program in Arctic Bay is an Early Childhood Education program that helps enhance child development and school readiness of First Nations, Inuit and Métis children. This initiative is very much in line with QIA’s commitment to early childhood education.

For more information contact:

Sima Sahar Zerehi,

Director of Communications,

Qikiqtani Inuit Association

867.975.8413 or 1.800.667.2742

szerehi@qia.ca

2017 – 05 – 30 – QIA approves over $100,000 for community initiatives