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RANKIN INLET
Two members of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation concluded their cross-country tour with a stop in Rankin Inlet this past week.

Rankin was the only Nunavut stop for the pair.

Kivalliq Outreach regional director Noel Kaludjak, right, meets with Aboriginal Healing Foundation members Lynn Barwin and Julian Roberts in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Julian Roberts and Lynn Barwin spent the better part of a week in Rankin to review the programs at the Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre's Kivalliq Outreach Program.

Roberts said the work he and Barwin have been doing focuses on aboriginal healing and medicine.

He said the two have spent their time in communities with programs in place funded by the Aboriginal Healing Foundation.

"We've been talking to cultural workers, traditional people and elders about how these programs have been benefitting their communities," said Roberts.

"Rankin was one of our final stops to get the Inuit perspective on the programs they've developed for themselves here.

"We looked at how they're working and benefitting the community in terms of the elders sharing their knowledge with the youth and in men's groups, where they've been able to talk to move the healing process forward.

"Getting to Rankin has been in the works for the past three or four months for us, and things finally gelled to allow us to get here."

Roberts said he's been quite impressed by what he's heard in Rankin.

He said the visit has been a "phenomenal" experience.

"The message we've received is these programs are already important to the community, and the healing process is just beginning.

"The Aboriginal Healing Foundation is closing on Dec. 31, when the Canadian government will no longer fund these types of programs through the foundation.

"So what we're hearing, and part of the message we're trying to get out there, is these programs are very important to communities and they need to continue one way or another."

Roberts said he's always hopeful that, in one form or another, the programs will continue.

He said even though the funding is gone, communities have to find ways to keep their programs going.

"There's been a sort of awakening and, with or without funding, I think you'll see these sorts of efforts continue in communities.

"Of course the funding is very helpful in terms of support.

"To run programs you need funding to pay workers, bring people in and purchase supplies.

"That's the way it is in the modern world."

Barwin said Roberts may be more optimistic in his outlook than she is.

She said there is momentum in communities, and the elders they've met are committed to continuing the work.

"That's great, but the elders can't live on nothing and people have to see the value of the work they do," said Barwin.

"We've heard of the transformations that take place.

"People start some of these programs lost, then they come out at the beginning of a journey that transforms them.

"I certainly hope these organizations find other sources of funding - and the work will go on - but at the same time funding is needed to help them with the materials because you simply can't do workshops without them."

Barwin said the people running community programs know what works and just need support.

She said the healing is just underway and a way has to be found for it to continue.

"I've been very, very impressed by what I've seen and heard in Rankin.

"We got a small taste of the types of traditional knowledge the elders are sharing with the young people of the community, and we could see the passion and how much the elders want to share.

"You look at the pictures in the Outreach centre and you're taken by how much work they've done and the impact they've had.

"Rankin is a very strong and sharing community."

Barwin said it's very frustrating to have the funding cut just as communities have figured out what's working.

She said there has to be accountability for the cuts.

"(Prime Minister Stephen) Harper made his apology, but what really matters is what happens after that apology.

"The funding being cut is devastating and the timing is absolutely terrible.

"There's going to be a break in the momentum and the implications of that could be very destructive to some families.

"So, yeah, it's frustrating."

Barwin said she's not harbouring hope for an 11th hour reprieve for the funding.

She said there are, however, some incredible administrators looking for alternative funding to keep the programs alive.

"It won't come from the government, but I have faith it will come from somewhere.

"Hopefully, the programs will be able to continue in the interim."

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