Maria Canton
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Feb 28/00) - Survivors of residential school abuse have just been given another helping hand.

The board of directors of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., recently committed $120,000 towards addressing the problems Nunavut Inuit have as a result of abuses suffered while attending residential schools.

Recently appointed NTI policy analyst on social issues Annie Quirke, who is also a long-time addictions councillor, estimates about 400 Inuit suffered psychological, emotional, physical and sexual abuse while attending schools in both the eastern and western Arctic.

"As caregivers we see the underlying issues that often result from these type of abuses, such as addiction and suicide," said Quirke.

"We're looking at putting together long-term healing resources or possibly pursuing action through the courts."

Quirke will be establishing a steering committee that will use the money to put long-term resources in place. The committee will include people from the Nunavut Social Development Council, as well as former residential students from across Nunavut.

"I would like to start this very soon, this week, in terms of contacting people for the steering committee, that will be the first step," she said.

NTI President Paul Quassa says the issue of residential school abuse is important and it's the land-claim organization's responsibility to help to ensure the social well being of the beneficiaries.

"NTI wants to examine ways that we can assist those beneficiaries (who suffered residential school abuse)," said Quassa.

"The process may help to look at litigation options and also trying to find resources for long-term healing mechanisms."

Research will be conducted on the different residential schools that were attended by Inuit, including Grollier Hall in Inuvik, NWT and Turquetil Hall in Chesterfield Inlet.

This research, which will be guided by the steering committee, will mark the start of phase two in NTI's work to combat the intergenerational problems of residential school abuse.

In previous work, an overview of the issue was provided that laid the groundwork for the direction in which NTI will proceed.