Jeff Colbourne
Northern News Services

CHESTERFIELD INLET (May 11/98) - The federal government's announcement on how its $350-million healing fund for victims of residential school abuse is already drawing criticism.

Just days after May 4 announcement, Andre Tautu, spokesperson for Tasuiqtit, a survival group set up for victims of abuse in Chesterfield Inlet, said $350 million is not enough.

"I really don't think it's enough because up in Nunavut there's no healing centres like they have down south and we're thinking about setting up a healing centre as well as some specialists to go along with it," said Tautu.

"I'm sure it's going to take a lot of money to set it up."

Georges Erasmus, chair of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, which is spearheading the healing, launched the non-profit corporation May 4.

"The primary mandate of the foundation is to support community-based healing initiatives that complement existing aboriginal and government programs. Our challenge will be to respond to the different needs of individual victims, families and communities," said Erasmus.

All healing funds will be administered across Canada by the foundation, which consists of 17 individuals including representatives of victim's groups.

Tautu said this is a long-awaited venture to help those who were hurt by abuse.

"I know there are a lot of people hurting out there and a lot more who haven't came out yet. Especially in my home town. How could I be the only one that came out? How could I be the only one that's been abused in my community? I'm sure there are others," he said.

Survivors Tasuiqtit Corp. (Holding Hands) have not had a chance to sit down and talk about the fund to see where they fit in. In the meantime, they are hoping for a "big chuck" of the funds when it's administered.

Survivors will meet again for a reunion in Chesterfield Inlet once they receive money from the federal government to pay for the cost of travel.

Tautu said he didn't know if the territorial government would dish out extra healing dollars to help.

"I wrote a letter to my MLA and I didn't get any solid response so far. Her assistant wrote me a letter and told me that it would not be (offering assistance) until they set up the $350 million," he said.

"I wrote a letter to my hamlet with regards to this healing centre and they fully support it, but the letter I wrote to my MLA and to Finance Minister John Todd, none of them responded."