Yellowknife (Jan 10/05) - Shocked by the Dec. 26 tsunami disaster in southeast Asia, many people in Iqaluit are donating money to aid agencies. Arctic Ventures will donate $1 from every purchase from Jan. 6-12 to the International Red Cross.

Jeffrey Lem, left, is served by Arctic Ventures cashier Joanna Ayaruak. One dollar from every purchase will go towards tsunami relief Jan. 6-12. - Kathleen Lippa/NNSL photo

"Everybody that can help should help," said Kenn Harper, owner of Arctic Ventures.

Harper chose the International Red Cross for a suitable aid agency mainly for their good reputation "for getting aid though."

Harper has no target amount to raise, and would not estimate how much he thinks the $1 donations will bring in by Jan. 12.

"We don't want to make it an advertisement for a reason to shop at Arctic Ventures. We don't want to put a banner up and say 'Shop here, help disaster relief.' That would be crass," Harper said. "We just thought this was a reasonable way of doing it. We hope it will help," Harper said.

The Astro Theatre is also chipping in. Owner Bryan Pearson said $1 from every admission will be donated to tsunami relief.

Joamie School staff had meetings last week to solidify fundraising activities for their students and staff, but have not decided what they wanted to do yet with school just back for a few days. Nakasuk School donated $800 to Unicef before Christmas.

"That is pretty impressive for a school of only 340 students," said principal Tracey Hanlon, who is happy Unicef is one of the groups working in the devastated region.

Hanlon said the school plans on doing more fundraising this year, but they haven't decided whether to focus on the tsunami victims, or the needy in Nunavut. "There are hard times here at home, too," Hanlon said.

Staff at NorthMart in Iqaluit donated $900 to the Canadian Red Cross last Friday.

"A staff member brought up the idea," said North Mart store manager Glen Cousins. "Everybody wanted to do something to help."

The government is also doing its part.

"It is our intention to help focus fundraising activities that are occurring throughout the territory in response to the tsunami disaster," said Premier Paul Okalik in a press release.

The Department of Community and Government Services is working with hamlet offices on the initiative. People who want to make a donation can do so at their hamlet office.

"This is a tragic event of enormous proportions and Nunavummiut want to help those who have lost everything," said Community and Government Services Minister Peter Kilabuk.