Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet, Nu (Sep 25/02) - The Rankin Inlet Justice Committee is trying to move forward by hiring a secretary-director, says committee member and hamlet Coun. Justin Merritt.

The committee is trying to tap into federal money through the Nunavut government to fund the position.

Merritt says the NG is looking at the committee's proposal based on the work it's done during the past two years.

"We're expecting to have our proposal approved, but there's nothing official yet," says Merritt. "The position will pay in the neighbourhood of $27,000 annually and be based on a 30 hour work week.

"We need this position filled if we're going to build upon the work we've done and move ahead."

The committee receives $37,000 from the GN and is looking for federal money to match.

The nine-member committee takes client referrals from the courts on first-time and low-risk offenders.

It then implements a more traditional form of justice which may include community service, apologizing to the victims, paying damages and elder counselling.

The aim is to make offenders take responsibility for their actions and, hopefully, turn them around before they commit more serious offenses.

Merritt says the committee takes its duties seriously and clients aren't given a free ride.

Duties include ensuring clients appear at committee meetings, arranging elder counselling sessions, appearing in court to speak on a client's behalf and individual follow ups after the process is complete.

A number of clients did their community service with the hamlet this summer, helping out with the traditional games and the bicycle track being constructed by the Sakku building.

Merritt says there are times clients don't do the work asked of them and, when that happens, it's back to court.

He says no slack is given because the committee has to sign off on the referrals.

"When you put your name on that document stating the work was completed, you're putting your reputation on the line.

"That means ensuring the work was completed or refusing to sign if it wasn't."