RANKIN INLET (Apr 01/98) - Former residents of the Chesterfield Inlet residential school are asking for their share of the $350-million healing fund announced by Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Jane Stewart in January.

If they get the money, they want to build a healing centre in the community.

Andre Tautu, along with Nunavut Interim Commissioner Jack Anawak; Peter Ernerk, Nunavut's deputy minister for heritage; and Anthyme Kadjuk, mayor of Chesterfield Inlet, were in Ottawa last week to meet with other members of Survivors Tasuiqtit Inc. (former students of the Chesterfield Inlet residential school) to devise strategies to access funds for a rehabilitation centre.

Tautu and Simeonie Kunnuk, formerly of Igloolik, were both nominated by Survivors Tasuiqtit Inc. to sit on the National Healing Strategy Board, which will help groups access funds.

"We're the victims and we shouldn't be left behind -- we're trying to get a piece of the pie," he said. "We're asking for a big chunk of that money," said Tautu.

But Shawn Tupper, a senior policy adviser with DIAND, said no funds will be distributed for several months.

"We are in the midst of setting up a non-profit organization that will operate at arm's length from the government by aboriginal groups," he said.

Tupper said he expects that it will be three months after the organization is up and running before funds are available, but added that it's not too early to put proposals together and send them to DIAND.

"It's a bit frustrating because we realize there are a lot of people hurting out there," he said.

But Tautu and the rest of the group aren't wasting any time. He said he sees Chesterfield Inlet as the best location for a rehabilitation centre for Nunavut whenever the money becomes available and maintained that the residents desperately need a facility to help them heal.

"They should not feel that they're alone -- we're there to help them," he said.

Tautu, 55, wants to see something done so people in his community can get on with their lives. He said the abuse has affected peoples' lives for too long, particularly his own family.

"I always thought I lost two brothers who committed suicide -- I have a feeling they were victims," he said. "I remember not wanting to go to school and not being able to tell my mother why."

Tautu said the healing fund is Chesterfield's chance to bring the abuse out in the open in the community and get people talking about it so they can heal.

"I just want to see that something like this will never happen again to our children in school," he said. "When you're a victim and you keep this inside for 40 years, you miss a lot of your life."