Iqaluit (Jan 03/05) - Ever sat down and wondered what you'd like to see in your community? Nunavut News/North did and put that question to people from around the territory.

Louise Haulli has some definite ideas about what she'd like to see in her hometown, Iglulik.

When approached at the Navigator Inn during a visit to Iqaluit for a series of meetings the week of Dec. 13, she did not hesitate in answering with a wellness centre and an elders centre.

"Those are definitely some things that are needed."

Smaller communities need resources, and the Nunavut government needs to spend money to develop them, she said.

Right now, the elders in Iglulik have no place to work.

"The resource people would be the elders," she says.

Kugluktuk's Aime Ahegona was also in Iqaluit for the same meetings.

When he is away from his community, the 70-something elder said people need jobs, but he isn't sure what to do about that.

He said it's important, too, to talk about the good things, like the Kugluktuk Grizzlies youth athletics programs.

"When things are going right, it's perfect," he said.

Resolute: needs swimming pool

In Resolute Bay, Wayne Davidson would like to see a swimming pool.

The nearly 20-year resident of the community says learning how to swim is important.

"If you're out in a boat, even if you fall in the water and you don't have the proper equipment -- if you don't know how to swim, at least you could get back to the boat and you won't drown," he said.

The Environment Canada employee also has an observatory on his personal wish list.

Arctic Bay: Seniors housing

This community already has a small gym and a hockey rink, but Daniel Aola also thinks having a swimming pool is important.

"Right now, our young kids are not learning to swim," he said, adding that he agreed with Davidson's assessment about swimming possibly saving someone's life.

And Aola would also like to see the community's elders get some help.

"The senior housing need in the community is increasing every year," he said.

Many seniors in need of some type of care or help are living alone or being supported by other people, Aola said.

Communication is key

April Pigalak, an 18-year-old resident of Kugluktuk, said the real strength of a community hinges on people listening to one another.

"I believe there has to be more communication between the youth, adults and elders, more respect for the community and the people," said Pigalak.

"What the community needs to do as a whole is work together to get things started: programs, activities. From there we can support each other," she said.

Kugluktuk is one of those communities that has been getting a negative reputation of late because of a number of break-ins.

Pigalak is undeterred by the actions of a small minority of trouble makers.

"We have more youth sitting on boards or working with organizations as a voice. All we need is for the adults to hear this voice."

Environment important

Miriam Flemming in Nunavut's most southern community, Sanikiluaq, would like to see a small research station dedicated to environmental monitoring established.

That is a big dream for Flemming.

A more attainable goal, she said, would be to see more co-operation and sharing happening between people in the new year.

Chris Pudlat had a pretty short wish list for his town, saying paved roads would go a long way in improving life in Cape Dorset.

"It gets very dusty in the summertime. And that dust is not good for people," he said.

Marlene Jar in Coral Harbour says a bar and a restaurant would spice things up in her community.

She said she knows liquor is prohibited, but added that if people are going to stay and work in Nunavut and make it a better place day after day, they need a place to blow off stream at day's end.

"We need a place to hang out after work and relax," said Jar.

"A place where we can take our families, or just go and be alone. Here there are only stores and a church. There is absolutely nothing to do."