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Taking care of the tenants

Relations officer loves the people

Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Oct 29/01) - Diana Tingmiak never knows what is going to happen at work, but she likes it that way.

"There's something new happening all the time," said Tingmiak, who has been the tenant relations officer for the Inuvik Housing Authority for the last 14 years.

"You go through a week where nothing happens and then all of a sudden, in one day, everything imaginable can happen."

Tingmiak performs a variety of duties. She explains leases to tenants, moves people in and out of housing, collects rents, does inspections, and conducts counselling.

"Sometimes people are having a hard time managing their money, they get behind in rent or whatever. So we help them try to sort out a small budget."

Tingmiak said she likes seeing the excitement in people's eyes when she shows their new apartment.

"You go through happiness, you go through sadness when you have to go kick people out, you know, there's all kinds of things that happen."

Before joining the Inuvik Housing Authority, Tingmiak served on its board for 10 years. She also had counselling background from having worked at Delta House for 12 years.

Tingmiak has a good rapport with her colleagues.

"We each have an important role here, and we sort of complement each other in our areas of work. We have the serious times, we have the fun times," said Tingmiak.

"If I didn't enjoy the people, I wouldn't be working here."

Tingmiak also loves her hometown.

"I love the people, I love the easy going way of life. People up here accept you for who you are, instead of what you have."