Grise Fiord (Aug 04/03) - Women in Grise Fiord reopened old wounds hoping for a permanent cure.

Jean Kigutikajuk and Kanayuk Salomonie were in this small Northern community for a week providing healing workshops and information sessions on social issues.

The two women with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association are going to communities trying to help residents (specifically women) deal with social and health related issues.

"Our goal is to promote the needs of Inuit woman and children through culture and social programs and encourage economic growth," said Kigutikajuk, the women's coordinator with QIA.

Salomonie is the women's representative with the QIA.

There were five sessions, with the last one on Tuesday, July 29. Kigutikajuk said the major issue that came out from these sessions was that the locals want more organizations to hold workshops.

"They feel left out from other communities," she said, pointing to governments or organizations that deal with youth, elders and culture.

Another issue that still haunts residents of Grise Fiord is the relocation process of the 1950s.

"Many are still angry that they were relocated from northern Quebec in the 1950s and 60s. They are angry at being displaced, at having to live in a new environment. But at the same time, they are happy, happy that they moved here," said Kigutikajuk.

Participants in the last workshop were encouraged to draw events, moments or places that made them happy.

The drawings ranged from family portraits to camping in the mountains and sunsets.

The healing sessions started with two information workshop dealing with general health and social issues on July 24 and 25.

Saturday was a day off, but Sunday was an interesting session for Kigutikajuk.

"This was my first session with Kanayuk. She's done many. On Sunday, we hiked the mountains and then had a shouting session," she said.

Kigutikajuk explained that a shouting session allows people to just scream out their emotions and exhaust the pent up anger.

"It's all about letting the emotions out. I know I felt better afterwards," she said from her hotel in Grise Fiord.