Maria Canton
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Nov 08/99) - Developing programs and proposals for youth initiatives in Baffin communities was the focus of a workshop recently held in Iqaluit.

Five youth leaders got together with the QIA regional youth co-ordinator and a facilitator for three days to discuss proposal development and program implementation for the youth in their communities.

"It is more productive if the youth do something themselves rather than waiting for the elders to do it or their parents," said Leesie Akulukjuk, who is a teacher and the chair of Pangnirtung's youth committee.

"From this workshop we'll get more ideas to take back and add them to ideas from the youth."

Organized in part by the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, funding for the workshop came via the federal government's Canadian Heritage Project.

Baffin is only one of seven regions selected to receive a chunk of the $1.19 million allotted to the Urban Multi-Purpose Aboriginal Youth Centres Initiative (UMAYC).

And from that, only six Baffin communities out of 13 meet the qualifying urban criteria of having a population upwards of 1,000, enabling each to receive $32,000.

"Funding from this program is accessible and it will provide a chance for youth to show leadership skills in developing local programs," said Arctic Bay youth committee member Anna Qaunaq.

Prior to the Iqaluit workshop, Qaunaq said Arctic Bay had held their own forum to gather ideas from the community's youth on topics such as environment, education, culture, recreation and health.

With that information, Arctic Bay's youth committee is able to work towards what the youth want, said Qaunaq.

UMAYC workshop facilitator, Raurri Qajaaq Ellsworth, said the intent was to have each person leave with a draft proposal of either a program or a list of activities to present to the hamlet councils.

"It's a good opportunity for the communities to secure funding and develop programs," said Qajaaq Ellsworth.

"We're also working on identifying where each community can find additional funding sources and contacts."

Qajaaq Ellsworth says they are also looking into ways to find funding for the communities with populations under 1,000.

Among the regions receiving funding are Labrador, Nunavik, Baffin, Kivalliq, Kitikmeot, Inuvialuit and Southern Canada.