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KANGIQLINIQ/RANKIN INLET
A group of elders spent an afternoon socializing, enjoying country food and winning some great prizes this past week in Rankin Inlet.

Dorothy Sateana enjoys a laugh with Jacintha Kapuk, front, going down the food line at the Elders' Christmas Party in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

The elders gathered at the community hall to participate in the annual Elders' Christmas Party.

Christmas party committee member and chief organizer Pelagie Sharp said there were fewer elders at this year's party than in years past.

She said bad weather, travel and, in some cases, poor health kept a number of elders from attending.

"The various Health department staff members have been doing the Elders' Christmas Party for about 15 years now," said Sharp.

"The party, itself, went very well even though our numbers were down this year.

"We had about 80 elders attend last year's event, but we received quite a few regrets this year."

Sharp said the number of businesses able to donate to the elders' party took a substantial dip this year.

She said there are so many fundraisers taking place in the community these days, it's hard for the business community to support them all.

"In 2010 we had about 25 to 30 businesses and non-profit organizations donate to the party, but that number fell to about 12 this year.

"The airlines also couldn't continue with their past donations of tickets for our elders to visit family members within the Kivalliq, but First Air donated the freight cost on 80 turkeys and that was a huge help.

"But, while our donations were down substantially this year, we lucked out because the hamlet gave our committee a bingo slot this past spring.

"With the fundraising we did that night, we were actually a little better off than we were last year."

Sharp said the elders' Christmas party committee plans to approach next year's event the same way.

She said, hopefully, things will work out and a popular 2010 party attraction will return in 2012.

"Last year we had a slide-show presentation of photographs from the '60s, '70s and '80s, but our computer technician was away on leave this year.

"So we weren't able to do the slide show this time, but we hope to have it back again next year.

"Despite the challenges, the elders who did attend this year's Christmas party had a really good time.

"Being able to supply them all with a turkey was a big hit, so we hope the hamlet will be able to give us a bingo slot again next year."

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