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RANKIN INLET
The new elders' cabin in Rankin Inlet has been struck by vandals before it could even officially open.

Vandals kicked off the outside electrical outlets to the $284,000 Iqalugaarjuup Nunanga Territorial Park pavilion, causing up to $2,000 in total estimated damages.

Manager of parks for Nunavut Territorial Parks Cameron DeLong said remedial action will be taken to try to minimize future damage.

He said extra measures will be looked at to protect the structure's doorways once it's turned over to the Department of the Environment and Nunavut Parks.

"We had hoped it would turned over this past week, but this could potentially delay the turnover by a couple of weeks," said DeLong.

"We have to take extra steps to ensure the other entry points in the building are secure, so we're likely going to have extra materials flown up from the south and installed.

"This is disappointing because we met with the local elders' committees in Rankin prior to moving forward with the planning for this project.

"We wanted their input to meet the needs of the users, and it's disheartening to see this kind of damage by a select few before we even had the chance to allow the community in to see what it has ownership of."

DeLong said the building has always been designated for community and elder use.

He said the vandalism shows a lack of respect for the elders, community and effort that's gone into the project.

"One of the activities that has traditionally taken place at the building, and arguably that it's been designed around, is the ability to go in, make tea, sit, talk and converse as a social setting.

"But there was also a need expressed for an area where they could work on skins, clean hides, etc.

"We've incorporated a large patio on the back of the building with an overhead structure to allow them to go out and do that with a nice perspective of the surrounding tundra, while offering a bit of protection from the weather.

"The building also has the ability for heat and electricity through a generator, so, if the elders want to do an activity in the early evening throughout the operating season, the resources are now in place for them to do so."

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