Jennifer McPhee
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (June 24/02) - Some Inuit residents at the first public meeting held to discuss the city's development plan for the next 20 years wonder whether their voices will make a difference.

About 60 people attended the first meeting, a third of them Inuit.

Sytukie Joamie said the city's development plans change with every new council.

"I don't know how many meetings I've attended about the town plan since the '70s," he said. "There is always a change in the plan. We never know what plan we're on."

He said decisions about planning are really "made in the backrooms."

"That's why local people don't come out to these meetings," he said.

Saila Kipanek said the concerns of Inuit are not being heard.

"Office complexes are built and we have not kept up with social needs," he said. "A lot of you come here for a very short time and when you get your money, you leave.... I feel Inuit are getting fed up with this process."

Susie Ishulutak also said she "was hoping to see more Inuit here."

Pamela Sweet, a consultant hired by the city, led part of the discussion. She said the city is listening and is trying to reach people who don't usually attend -- by organizing separate meetings with elders and youth.

For the most part, discussion at the three-hour meeting was unfocused.

But Sweet said she was encouraged by the strong turnout at the first meeting.

"I was pleased to see representation from a variety of different groups," she said. "People want to be heard and they want city council to take them seriously. That's a really important message."