Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Iqaluit ( Jun 05/00) - The Oqota Emergency Shelter was the hot topic at the first annual meeting of the Illitiit Society, held early last week in Iqaluit.

Board member Bill Riddell told those assembled that the society, which operates the shelter, may allow a subcommittee to run Oqota. He also pointed out the shelter has had to turn away people due to lack of space.

"We've got some questions we want to answer," Riddell said after the meeting. "What direction (do) we want to go, do we want to become a little bit bigger, do we want to stay the same, what kinds of other services do we want to offer?"

Riddell said, "We don't want to just provide a place for people to sleep. It's got to be more than that."

Riddell said the Salvation Army has expressed interest in perhaps establishing a partnership with Illitiit in running the shelter.

"It was fairly obvious tonight there's some concern about bringing in another organization," Riddell said.

"When somebody offers you something, as kindly as what they've done, you do have to take a look at it."

Riddell said the purpose of Illitiit is take a "holistic view" of the services being offered.

"Not to take away from any agencies, but to support the development of agencies."

Riddell said Illitiit was formed in 1996 as the result of a community meeting organized by the Municipality of Iqaluit.

"The town was looking for some direction in terms of what should happen in terms of all of the agencies that were going on and what services should be developed," Riddell said.

Illitiit put on the next two annual conferences and developed a community consultation report. Riddell said the society now plans to re-examine that report.

Illitiit became a registered, non-profit society this March. Its chairperson, Markus Wilcke, resigned recently. The new chairperson was to be selected Monday, June 5, at the new board's first meeting.

Those on the board after the annual meeting are Riddell, Jay Wisenteiner, Elisapee Davidee, Oolipika Gordon, Joamie Kilabuk, Marcelo Parungao, Keith Hay and Polar Man (Derek Emmonds).