Kirsten Larsen
Northern News Services

NNSL (Nov 16/98) - Keeping the Inuit voice strong on the international Arctic Council became a more affordable venture for the Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC) this year, thanks to a grant from a charitable foundation earlier this week.

The ICC maintains a permanent seat on the eight-nation Arctic Council and is responsible for representing the voice of Canada's Inuit in the council.

Funding to attend conferences, meetings and keeping intercommunication strong between the council and the ICC is an important point of advocacy for the Canadian Inuit voice.

Without funding to support travel, lobbying, document development and other advocacy dealings, the Canadian Inuit voice could be left out of discussions regarding environmental, social and sustainable issues that directly affect Canada's Inuit.

"If we're not there the Inuit voice will not be heard," said Terry Fenge, director of research for ICC.

The majority of Arctic council meetings will be held in Washington for the next two years, with the United States assuming chair of the council.

The $200,000 grant awarded to ICC last week came from Toronto-based Walter and Duncan Gordon Charitable Foundation. The grant will not only enable travel to Washington for dealings with the council, but serves a dual purpose by providing funding for lobbying and informing government bodies and agencies of the Inuit issues.

"In essence, getting the grant enables us to hold the government's toes to the fire and (encourage government) to understand Inuit agenda and

"Inuit demands," said Fenge.

The main issue of concern for ICC is encouraging the reduction and elimination of transboundary contaminates such as pesticides and other chemical pollutants that are carried through water and air.

The pollutants are contaminating the plants, animals, and water supply in Canada's North which is particularly susceptible to degradation due to it's fragile ecology.

Increasing trade in marine mammal products and creating sustainable development in the North is another major issue of concern.