INUVIK - With just less than two weeks left until the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Northern national event, plans are being put in place, but residents of Inuvik worry they won't be ready in time.

At a town council meeting on June 8, two TRC organizers presented an update to council and answered questions regarding organization for the event, which will have at least 1,200 participants and an expected 700 from out of town. Councillors expressed concern for the number of beds, amount of food and number of volunteers.

Marie-Anick Elie, regional co-ordinator for the Northern national event, said people should not worry as two very strong committees have been working for more than a year on the logistical and cultural aspects of the event.

"All the pieces are being put into action now," Elie said. "We're not behind on planning and everything is falling into place."

Alana Mero, speaking on behalf of the Inuvik Justice Committee, also has concerns about the event. She wants to make sure the people coming to Inuvik to share their story can do so in a supportive, safe and comfortable environment.

"A lot of local people are concerned and they're not sure what's needed or planned or how they can help," Mero said. "It's not clear to the people in town what is planned and how they can play a role."

As of June 13, the event had 40 volunteers on paper, but who have not accessed the online registration. They hope to have at least 100 volunteers and need a total of 50 to 75 per day. The organizers held two volunteer drives during the week of June 6, but no one showed up.

This week the volunteer co-ordinator will start knocking on doors, asking organizations and employers to allow their employees time off to participate in the event.

As for food, there are enough vendors, although Elie said more are welcome. More billets are also welcome to apply to open up their homes to people coming from out of town.

So far, 700 people have registered and 850 have applied for travel assistance to the event. If even more people show up than expected, there is an emergency plan in place, yet Elie would not comment on the details of the plan.

For the event itself, a schedule is in place. On June 27, a Welcome to Inuvik event will take place with leaders welcoming people, a feast, speeches and entertainment.

On the official first day, June 28, an opening ceremony will be held as well as the induction of honourary witnesses. These are people selected as ambassadors of the activities that take place.

"They are witnesses of the event. People can't attend everything," Elie said. "They can come back to the survivors and express what they saw during the day."

The witnesses will share what they saw during the traditional call-to-gather at the end of each day.

During the second and third day, the mornings will consist of panel discussions on what the commission hopes to accomplish - expressions of reconciliation and resilience.

Participants will have four different ways to share their stories, either through a sharing panel where they speak directly to the commissioners in front of a crowd; in sharing circles; or through artistic expression. Each evening there will be an event; either films, a fashion show or a talent show. Lastly, private statement-gathering will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day for anyone who wishes to share their story one-on-one.

For both the sharing panel and sharing circle, participants will need to register.

On the final day, July 1, there will be a special birthday celebration for all survivors who were never able to celebrate their birthdays while attending residential school.

While Canada Day is generally a day of festivities, Elie thinks its important to acknowledge the residential school legacy as part of Canadian history.

"It's not just an issue related to aboriginal people. It's for all Canadians to know and experience," she said. "It's an opportunity to understand and find out what people went through and that it's a multi-generational thing. I want to encourage people from any side to attend."

The national Truth and Reconciliation Commission event will take place from June 28 to July 1. To volunteer, register online at the commission's website.

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