Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Iqaluit ( May 22/00) - Things might not look as pretty as planned in Nunavut's capital this summer.

That's because the Iqaluit Beautification Society was turned down for funding from the National Crime Prevention Foundation.

But why, you may well ask, would an environmental and beautification society apply for funding from an organization designed to reduce crime across Canada?

That's easy to answer for Janice Braden, a member and organizer of the two-year- old Iqaluit society.

"We found last year that many of the drop-by volunteers were part of the adult-at-risk population who were not likely to get other jobs," said Braden.

"We thought it would be a good program to bring someone in to provide training and give the volunteers skills in a number of different areas. It could go on through the winter as well," she said.

With that in mind, the society applied for $50,000 from the foundation, butlearned earlier this month that their request had been denied because the federal group felt the project didn't meet their mandate.

While Braden was disappointed by the news, she said the group will still proceed with some of their plans.

For example, the work on an elders park that was started last year -- including the construction of a masonry bridge, benches, a stone pathway and the replanting of tundra vegetation -- will be continued

The society's participation in the annual spring clean-up will also go ahead as planned.

"We'll be regrouping to see where we can proceed," said Braden.

The creek beds bordering the elder's park will be cleaned up and repaired, and Braden also noted that the statues carved last year during the 'Our life in stone' carving symposium will be placed in various locations around town.

Braden further added that John Laird, the society's co-ordinator, will be seeking out new forms of funding before the summer starts.