IQALUIT - Members of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association wanted answers from the territory's health minister last week on what is going to be done to improve the state of social services in the territory.

Minister of Health Tagak Curley takes notes as he listens to concerns from members of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association at their annual general meeting on Oct. 20. Members were questioning the state of the territory's social services. - Emily Ridlington/NNSL photo

Government of Nunavut Minister of Health Tagak Curley made a surprise appearance before members of the QIA at their annual general meeting on Oct. 20.

Given the rash of violence in Cape Dorset during the last month, the opportunity to question Curley was welcomed.

"Only when there are critical situations do we see the problems being dealt with further," said Pilipuusi Paniaq, member at large from Pond Inlet.

He encouraged the government to be more proactive instead of reactive when it comes to dealing with social issues such as mental health and suicide prevention.

Suicide rates among Inuit youth are some of the highest in the world, 11 times higher than the rest of Canada, according to Health Canada. The suicide rate for 15- to 24-year-old Inuit men is 28 times higher than for their counterparts in the south.

In April, the GN, along with their the Embrace Life Council and the RCMP, released a summary report containing recommendations from community residents across the territory. Information gathered is going toward the development of Nunavut's Suicide Prevention Strategy.

Recommendations in the report included building mental-health treatment and addiction centres and training people in suicide intervention.

There have been delays of the draft legislation going to cabinet.

"It is because I wanted to make changes" said Curley.

While the draft of the strategy may not be completed Joe Attagutaluk said it is critical that it be implemented.

"I believe the government should work on this more urgently," he said.

Attagutaluk said many of the social workers, health staff and RCMP who work in the communities are using modern ways of coping to help residents. He said he feels Inuit ways of dealing with societal issues have to be included in the strategy.

Another concern was the lack of health and social services support staff in the communities available to assist residents.

In the High Arctic, there is only one social worker who serves Grise Fiord, Resolute and one other community.

"They rarely send someone to see us," said Larry Audlaluk, member at large from Grise Fiord.

The community also does not have a priest who residents could confide in.

Curley said he would respond to other questions from members of the association by letter so he could provide them with more detailed responses.

He encouraged members in the future if they or residents in their communities were having problems to let him know immediately.

"Come to us instead of your mayors," he said.

QIA president Okalik Eegeesiak thanked the minister for his presence at the meeting and said future policy has to be about "dealing with things before it is too late."

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