Committee wants to hear ideas for improvment
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Rankin Inlet (Feb 21/01) - A Rankin Inlet committee is looking at ways to use federal money to make their community a better place to live.
Members of the Aksarniit Home and Community Services Committee represent elders, youth, the physically challenged, small business, health and social services.
The committee is seeking proposals for community initiatives it can support through a Health Canada initiative.
The 12-member committee has already used some of its $800,000 in funding on the elder's van and is now seeking other ideas. The remainder of the money has to be spent before the end of the fiscal year, March 31.
Chairperson Harry Tootoo says the focus for proposals should be on home and community care.
"We're seeking proposals from groups and organizations in the community, but we also want to make sure residents are aware of our committee so they can communicate with the organization that best deals with their situation to submit a proposal," says Tootoo. "
"Individuals can also submit proposals."
Co-ordinator Michele Ashby says the committee is not responsible for writing proposals or carrying out programs. She says the top priority right now is for community needs to be identified.
"With home care, we're looking at running a short course through the group homes to help educate home-care workers and then sponsoring a longer program through Arctic College next year," says Ashby.
"There are many possibilities under the community umbrella, so we hope to receive a number of ideas we can sit down with to prioritize and proceed with the most pressing first."
The committee has already discussed Meals on Wheels, improvements to the Rankin morgue and a program to supply hats and mitts to children who do not have them.
Ashby says the committee expects the program to be expanded next year and additional funding added.
"An administrator has been hired in Iqaluit and they're looking at hiring regional co-ordinators for next year, so Health Canada is looking to this program to help improve our communities.
"This year's funding has to be spent by March 31, so we need the proposals in as soon as possible. "
This is a great way for us to improve our quality of life and we should work hard to take advantage of it."
