Neils Christensen
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (May 24/04) - Instead of dwelling on the problems that face Nunavut, residents of Iqaluit chose to celebrate life at the Kamatsiaqtut Helpline fundraising dinner.

Of course, overshadowing the event was the apparent need for the helpline. On the morning of May 14, the day before the dinner, a suicide occurred in Iqaluit.

The fundraising dinner for the Kamatsiaqtut Helpline was about celebrating life. Canadian icon Tom Jackson was guest speaker. - Neils Christensen/NNSL photo

"I was struggling to decide if I should mention it or not in my opening speech," said Sheila Levy, chairperson for the helpline. "In the end, I chose not too. I wanted the evening to be positive."

Levy said the event was a huge success. The non-profit society was hoping to raise about $10,000 that evening. Although the numbers are still being added up, Levy said they are optimistic that they reached their goal.

Levy said it's important to have events like the dinner, because it allows people to talk about the problem of suicide and its solutions.

In her opening speech, Levy said the event was an example of how the helpline has grown over the years.

"Every year it's getting bigger and bigger, and it's because of the support we receive from the people," she said.

"Two volunteers have been on the line 7 p.m. until midnight every night for the past 14 years," she added. "Tonight is about celebrating our successes."

A message of hope

To make the evening even more special, Canadian icon Tom Jackson, a star of the television show North of 60, was the guest speaker. The message he gave to the people was one of hope for the future.

"The future you have in the palm of your hand, in your land, in your leaders and in your children is incomparable," he said. "The helpline is a lifeline to the people of Nunavut."

"The lifeline you are supporting is going to change the future," he added.

He said the helpline plays an important role in all of the Nunavut communities. He also commended the volunteers who have worked hard over the years and have always been there.

"I know what you are doing is saving lives," he said. "That has a value that you can't equate. You can't see it, you can't hear it, but you can feel it if you try hard enough."

For the past three weeks, Jackson has toured 14 communities in Nunavut as part of his 2004 Dreamcatchers Tour. He put on suicide prevention workshops and also hosted small concerts in each community he visited.