Rankin Inlet (Oct 29/03) - The bingo wars could be heating up once again in Rankin Inlet.

Elizabeth Kusugak and two fellow members of the Ikajuktiit Committee appeared before hamlet council to express their dissatisfaction with the way bingo licences are being awarded in Rankin.

Local announcer Matthew Innukshuk calls out the next number during radio bingo. Some people don't like the way the hamlet is granting bingo licences. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

The Ikajuktiit Committee raises money to assist families during times of sickness or death.

Kusugak said the hamlet is breaking its own bylaw, which stipulates no group or organization can hold more than five bingos during a six-month period.

The hamlet uses bingo to raise funds for search and rescue, recreation and the new radio station.

Kusugak said some slots should be eliminated in the lottery-style draws held to award the bingo licences.

"I support recreation, radio, and search and rescue, as well as school programs and sport teams trying to raise money to send our youth to events like the Arctic Winter Games," Kusugak said.

"But, when you look at things like Ski-Doo races, most of that money is going towards a cash prize that only benefits one person.

"It's important the committees that use the money to benefit the entire community get enough slots."

Council to look at process

The current bylaw governing bingo in Rankin was established on Feb. 19, 1996.

Coun. Justin Merritt wasn't too interested in any changes that would affect the number of bingo licences the hamlet receives.

"That bylaw also states anything council deems acceptable in obtaining a bingo license, is," Merritt said.

"If we have to change the wording of the bylaw, that's what we'll do.

"We use that money for radio, search and rescue and to keep the arena open.

"As far as I'm concerned, we're doing a hell of a job."

Mayor Lorne Kusugak said a problem may exist with the current system, although not necessarily with the number of bingo licences taken by the hamlet.

"We need to take a serious look at how we issue bingo licences, especially when it comes to groups using the funds for prize money or that receive substantial funding from other sources," Lorne Kusugak said.

"That bylaw has been there a long time. Maybe it needs to be made more relevant to today's times."