IKALUKTUTIAK/CAMBRIDGE BAY - The Kitikmeot Inuit Association has resolved to lobby for funding on 33 issues running the gamut from firearms licences to youth centres to sewing machines.

These desires were put forward by the women's, youths' and elders' delegations at the association's annual general meeting.

Heather Arqviq, 19, was the youth representative from Gjoa Haven at the meeting held Oct. 26 to 28 in Cambridge Bay. She said some good ideas came out of the youth discussions which were then presented to the AGM, one of the most important being establishing better youth and elder connections. Another big one was the need for youth centres, she said.

"There are a few communities in the Kitikmeot that are trying to work to get a youth centre and I think we'll be pushing harder on that one this year," Arqviq said.

Taloyoak, Kugaaruk and Gjoa Haven are all trying to get youth centres, she said.

"We have the building in Gjoa Haven but we could only start renovating next year."

Six youth representatives attended the AGM. At the meetings, they decided to form a regional youth council, Arqviq said, "so we can share ideas and give updates on how our community is doing for the youth."

The youths have shared their concerns, she said, and now they will wait to see what happens.

"We brought it up, they have heard our concerns, our ideas, and all we have to do is wait for our response."

The elders brought forward 15 concerns. They are worried about young parents, said Walter Porter, KIA elder representative.

"Young parents need parenting skills. Quite often young parents are yelling at their children and this creates hardship later in life," he said.

Many health issues were also brought up, including the need for an elders' home, worries about local health centres not responding quickly enough to elders' health problems and the need for rehab facilities in the territory.

"We are aware that it is difficult for (a person) to stop their addiction so they need a place or a program that meets their needs that is relevant to our culture and furthermore, that is closer to home rather than being sent off south," said Porter, speaking for the elders.

The women's delegation brought forward nine concerns, asking for funding for on-the-land trips for women and children, for women's shelters and community wellness programs, and for sewing centres to be set up in each community.

Resolutions were passed the last day of the meeting, Oct. 28, pledging to seek more information where necessary and lobby the federal and territorial governments for funding.

There is a lot of work to be done in the region, said Attima Hadlari, KIA board member from Cambridge Bay.

"They are basically the same requests annually," he said. "We have many repeated resolutions."

The KIA has to wait to hear about government funding each year, he said, and it's not an easy process.

"I know we're going to be communicating with certain departments with the GN to get some funding for these concerns and I know we're going to be talking to walls again. Hopefully I'm wrong, but that's my feeling."

Beyond the delegation presentations, the AGM included reports from KIA departments as well as a community feast and drum dancing.