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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Facts can be stubborn things.

While the focus of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's jaunt across the North was on economic development, the well-documented social challenges faced by Nunavummiut demanded equal billing this past week.

Social issues are especially important in Nunavut, a territory still very much in its infancy, dealing with abnormally-high rates of suicide, many have-not communities and a housing situation on the brink of crisis.

The dilemmas loom large in a territory with more than 50 per cent of its population under the age of 25.

During his first visit to Rankin Inlet this past week, Harper tried to project a balanced approach as he touched on the topic of social development during meetings with Inuit leaders from across the country and when questioned by local media.

Harper said the federal government has been dealing with the pressing social issues faced by Nunavut, including putting a great deal of money into dealing with the high cost of food, although, he conceded, there's still significant challenges to be met in that area.

He said the Government of Canada provides almost $1.5 billion a year to the Government of Nunavut, which is the primary provider of social services in the territory.

"During the past year, we've announced additional money specifically on the issues of mental health and suicide prevention ... some $30 million," said Harper.

"I think, obviously, having economic development providing flows of private money which can be, frankly, much greater than governments can ever create - and creating jobs and opportunity for people - are important objectives in their own right.

"We know from the history of not just our country, but so many other developing countries, that economic development really is critical to social development.

"That said, of course, we don't rely on that entirely throughout this country, not just in the North."

Harper said governments support vital ranges of social services for people, health, education and on down the list.

"These remain critical things for governments to do in their own right, and we will continue to do those, obviously, as we see economic development going forward," the prime minister said. "I think the most important thing for economic development is to give people jobs and opportunities."

Kivalliq Counselling and Support Services regional director Noel Kaludjak said he's directly familiar with how the social ills are being dealt with in the territory.

He said, in his opinion, social development is more important than economic development right now.

"Stimulating economic development will not bring social development along with it," said Kaludjak, adding the government often avoids the real source of the problem because they're more focused on job creation.

"A full 100 per cent of us are affected by residential schools," he said. "Yes, they've apologized and, yes, they did a bit of limited funding for a few years to help us recoup, but we need continued funding to help the social problems that stem from these schools the government started."

Kaludjak said Inuit are also still feeling the effects of being moved from the land, because the move into communities was a culture shock to many Inuit who struggled to adapt to a new way of living, and that still needs to be addressed.

"My dad, a hunter, was affected, I'm affected, my children and grandchildren are affected, and we have to deal with that first," Kaludjak said. "It's a situation shared by Inuit families across Nunavut, and we have to deal with it and put it behind us before we can start to deal with having jobs properly.

"How can I work and be productive if I'm always dealing with social issues? A job won't fix me."

Kaludjak said Inuit need to deal with their social issues in order to effectively and successfully deal with communities, cities and technology.

He said people still overlook the fact it's only been 50 years since Inuit were brought into the system and things are moving too fast to be properly supported. Kaludjak said this is particularly exemplified when one looks at the

youthful age of Nunavut's population and its dire shortage of houses.

"Population growth is good, but it becomes a problem when it's exploding and the housing market can't keep up," he said. "It's a problem that adds to family issues because our kids are having kids and starting families too soon, without proper training or future planning."

Kaludjak said right now, people are having children faster than houses can be built.

"It's a runaway train right now."

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