Daniel MacIsaac
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Feb 11/00) - While MLAs Roger Allen and Floyd Roland were in town last week, they met with the Inuvik Elders Committee to discuss the progress on a proposed seniors home.

The matter was first raised by deputy mayor Peter Clarkson at the council meeting last Wednesday.

"(Committee chair) Bertha Allen has passionately expressed the need for a senior citizens facility," he said. "There are currently about 90 people in town over the age of 65 and almost 400 between the ages of 50 and 65, and in the next 10 years we can expect an influx of people entering the community.

"And some members of council have a vested interest in this matter," he added with a laugh.

Roland said the issue has been discussed and that he and Roger, the new housing minister, discussed the matter with the elders committee last Thursday.

Roland said an innovative project like Yellowknife's Aven Manor might serve as a model in both funding and organization for an Inuvik complex.

Coun. Clarence Wood said multi-level funding and partnerships might be the answer.

Chairwoman Allen described the meeting as a success.

"I was flying on Cloud 9," she said. "There are ways and means to raise money and we know we're not going to get it all from the territorial government; there's the Inuvialuit and Gwich'in and we have to approach other organizations. The elders know they can't get it all by sitting down, we have to fund-raise."

Allen said the politicians were extremely supportive but couldn't commit the government to anything concrete at this point.

"No elected official is stupid enough to make a commitment in case we hold them to it," she said, "but they sounded very positive."

Allen said the elders committee is planning to hold a workshop Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Native Women's Training Centre to get direction from Inuvik's elders on the type of facility they'd like to have.

"They can come, have a meal and then get to work," she said.