Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Oct 22/01) - More than 50 Nunavut youth delegates of the Catholic Church came together in Ottawa earlier this month.

Abraham Nirlungayuk of Pelly Bay, on ladder, with Nadine Lamoureux of Arviat, Lucy Kublu Qattalik of Igloolik and Martha Totalik of Taloyoak, kneeling left to right, were among the Nunavut youth to help at the Shepherds of Good Hope house for the homeless in downtown Ottawa. - photo courtesy of Fabienne Theytaz

The gathering marked the first time Nunavut youth held a united formation for young people of the diocese.

Ten Nunavut communities were represented, including the Kivalliq hamlets of Rankin Inlet, Arviat, Chesterfield Inlet, Coral Harbour and Repulse Bay.

Also represented were the communities of Pelly Bay, Taloyoak, Gjoa Haven, Iqaluit and Iglulik.

Church representative and group chaperon Fabienne Theytaz of Rankin Inlet said the majority of the funding for the trip came from donations.

However, each participant did raise at least $500 towards their trip.

"The formation gave our youth the opportunity to come together and share information and experiences," said Theytaz.

"It was also an opportunity for them to try and build something together in preparation for World Youth Day in Toronto."

Plans are in the works for a Kivalliq community to welcome a group of German students from July 18 to 22. They would then attend the Toronto meeting from July 23 to 28.

Rankin Inlet and Iqaluit will also play host to the World Youth Day cross later this month.

The pope donated the cross in 1984 and it has visited Rome, Argentina, Spain, Poland, the United States, the Philippines, France and Italy.

During their time in Ottawa, the group spent time visiting university students, talking with the homeless and people in shopping malls, and working at a home for the elderly.

Theytaz says raising enough money to get the youthful Nunavummiut to the World Youth Day is not going to be easy.

It will cost $1,500 for each delegate who attends the event.

"There are so few ways to raise funds in the North, it can be discouraging at times," says Theytaz.

"But, it is so important for us to have our Nunavut youth at World Youth Day this summer, we will do whatever we can to help get them there."