Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. is trying to ensure items from its harvester support large equipment program are properly distributed. Here Jimmy Iqaluk hunts seal in Sanikiluaq in 2003. Large equipment program eligibility: Cannot owe money to NHSP Show a demonstrated need Be a harvester Over 16 years old Enrolled in Nunavut Land Claim Agreement No equipment received in past four years

Brent Reaney
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (July 11/05) - Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. wants to ensure only harvesters are benefitting from its Nunavut Harvesters Support Programs.

In the past, some of the items in the popular large equipment program have been distributed to people who are not actual harvesters.

The $2 million program's goal has been to provide equipment such as ATVs and snowmachines to full-time harvesters so they can continue with their traditional lifestyle.

"Now everyone thinks anyone is eligible because it's a draw system. There was so much pressure that the HTOs (hunters and trappers organization) started entering everybody," said Donna Adams, the program's manager.

"Of course people were upset, thinking it was a joke that non-harvesters were getting equipment."

And while each application is checked to ensure the person is a Nunavut Land Claims Beneficiary and the household income is below the upper limit of $75,000 per year, Adams relies on the HTOs to determine who is actually a full-time harvester.

A dollar value of incorrectly distributed equipment has not been calculated, but Adams said an investigation being done by NTI and the Government of Nunavut may help find some answers.

This year, to help clear up questions about eligibility, Adams and colleague Melissa Irwin are conducting workshops with HTOs to help educate them about the guidelines for the program.

Also new is the removal of a deductible fee for households earning less than $15,000, which would include many harvesters.

In addition to the large equipment program, a small equipment version where items such as GPS, tents and hunting equipment are sold at reduced prices is also available.

Funding is also available for women under the Women's Role in Harvesting program for traditional activities such as sewing, skin preparation and qamiq making.

Application forms should be available from community liaison officers and can be approved quickly.