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RANKIN INLET/KIVALLIQ - Kivalliq beneficiaries are about to get a house call.

The Kivalliq Inuit Association (KIA) is ready to meet with beneficiaries in every Kivalliq community between now and March.

KIA president Jose Kusugak said the group will be comprised of elected members, as well as land department and senior staff.

Jackson Lindell is sworn in as a hamlet councillor by RCMP Cpl. Gerald Ouellet in Rankin Inlet earlier this month as deputy mayor Harry Towtongie looks on. Lindell is one of the Kivalliq Inuit Association staff members who will visit each Kivalliq community before March. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

"This was budgeted to be done a few years ago, but for whatever reason, the administration at that time never got around to it," said Kusugak.

"When I realized it never happened, I put the wheels in motion for us to visit each community.

"We're developing our five-year strategic plan right now, and I see this as a great opportunity to pose questions to the beneficiaries and hold one-on-one sessions in a community hall setting.

"We want Kivalliq beneficiaries to be part of our decision-making process and have their say on topics of importance to them."

Kusugak said the KIA is more than just a land claims organization.

He said it wants to evolve into a sort of Kivalliq embassy for Inuit, and act for people who may not know how to deal with the government and other institutions.

"When issues come up outside of land claims, such as why the Nunavut government did away with the regional health boards and educational authorities, we want to express those concerns to the government, especially with a new premier and so many new members of cabinet and the legislative assembly in place.

"There's no reason they can't revisit areas that were working well compared to how they're being run now.

"They took away things that empowered the people of Nunavut; both Inuit and longtime Nunavut residents from the south.

"They were replaced by people fresh to the Arctic from the south, and they're running these institutions without ever really being to the communities."

Kusugak said some of the other issues brought forward - water problems, airline problems and cutbacks - technically have nothing to do with the KIA.

But, he said, at least the KIA will be able to advocate on their behalf to put pressure on the government to make positive change.

"After all, we're elected and that gives us a little more push than the average person on the street.

"And we are willing to use that to do whatever we can to advocate on behalf of beneficiaries to improve their quality of life.

"If it's an issue beyond our mandate, we can point them in the right direction as to who they should be communicating with, and if they demand it, write letters on their behalf."