Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

RANKIN INLET (Sep 22/99) - A number of program operators have endured their share of high tension while waiting for federal funding to come through Kivalliq Partners in Development.

The Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre finally had its agreement signed this past Thursday after operating Rankin Inlet's Work Centre since last April.

The Work Centre provides temporary, part-time workers to local employers.

The Friendship Centre's executive director, Myrna Michon, said she's delighted the agreement is finally signed and the pressure has been alleviated.

"Our situation has been resolved," says Michon. "We had some serious concerns as the weeks went by and the funding didn't surface, but we're comfortable now with our signed agreement."

Those "concerns" had reached the point where the Friendship Centre's new building was in jeopardy.

"If this funding had not come through, all the money raised for the downpayment on the new building would have been used up on the program."

Michon says the Friendship Centre had submitted its proposal for operating the Work Centre last April and were told by Kivalliq Partner's managing director, Simon Okpatauyuk, they were approved in May.

"This was all verbal. We didn't have anything on paper and that was really the scary part as time went by," says Michon.

"We paid salaries and program expenses while we were waiting for federal funding -- not Nunavut money -- to be delivered through Kivalliq Partners.

"It all ended well for us, but it was a panic for awhile. We were lucky our bank was as understanding as it was during the time it took us to get our agreement signed."

Antonio Masone of the accounting firm Antonio Masone and Co. (Uyarai), knows all about the stress Michon felt.

He says he was given a verbal OK by Kivalliq Partners in Development to hire two accountant technician trainees four months ago.

"Kivalliq Partners asked for a proposal in May. I submitted it, and was told it was accepted and I should get it in a week or two.

"We're getting close to the end of September now and I haven't received any funding at all.

"I hired two trainees, Pierre Kolit and Kevin Fredlund, both Inuit beneficiaries, on a verbal commitment which is in question now."

Masone has been paying the trainees' salaries out of his own pocket, but says he may have to end the program because it's costing him too much.

"Many organizations haven't used this training program because of Kivalliq Partner's practice of not putting funds up front. They know they have to wait up to six months to be reimbursed.

"If I had to redo this again, I wouldn't. I wouldn't enter into this kind of a situation unless I had a contract signed."

Kivalliq Partners in Development spokesperson, Jessie Kaludjak, said the Friendship Centre didn't receive special treatment in the signing of their agreement and that the money is not from the Aboriginal Training Fund.

"In previous years, Pulaarvik Kablu used to get their funding from the International Association of Friendship Centres," said Kaludjak. "Now, HRDC is funnelling that money through RIAs (regional Inuit associations) and that's why we were able to get their agreement signed at this particular time."