New building, energy for reinvigorated band
Inuvik Native Band renovates interagency building, increases presence in community
Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Thursday, August 17, 2017
INUVIK
The Inuvik Native Band was dormant for a few years, but a new election and new building have the organization energized to work for its membership.
Lawrence Neyando, chief of the Inuvik Native Band, stands inside the band's renovated building, which the organization purchased from the Inuvik Interagency Committee for $1. The band has moved into its own building to have a bigger presence in the community and be able to offer more to its members. - Stewart Burnett/NNSL photos
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"The bands have always been around, even before the land claim," said Lawrence Neyando, chief of the band, speaking about the role of the native band considering organizations for Gwich'in and Inuvialuit also operate in town.
Until something changes, such as self-government agreements going through, the band still has a role to play offering programs and services to its members, he said.
Once housed in two offices in the Alex Moses Greenland building, the band purchased the Inuvik Interagency Committee building for $1 this year and has put in a long list of renovations, including updated entryways with a wheelchair ramp, new floors throughout, shifting the building so plumbing flows properly, new paint, new signs, new furniture, a new electrical panel and much more.
"There might be some people wondering why we're not over in the Alex Moses building," said Neyando. "It basically comes down to we need more space. If we're going to exist, we have to go all the way. We can't just exist with two little offices. We need to grow."
Getting a new building was one of Neyando's top priorities following the election. With the downsizing of the interagency committee in recent years, the opportunity to take over the building was too good to pass up.
The Inuvik Native Band has renovated the former Inuvik Interagency Committee building inside and out. The building is located between Northmart and the Children First Centre.
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The building is located between Northmart and the Children First Centre, and more work is still planned to take place, such as landscaping in the front.
A new building goes a long way to re-establishing the organization's identity and presence in Inuvik, said Neyando.
"Visibility in the community is key," he said.
The band will be offering resume services for members and add two positions, one being a program officer.
Neyando hopes to take feedback from members on what programs they would like offered. If possible, he would like to involve both youth and elders in the band's programming.
He doesn't want the band to interfere with any services other organizations in town offer, such as youth programs at the Inuvik Youth Centre, so he would like to take the time and gather feedback into what would be best for members.
"Now that we're here we can start focusing on some of those ideas that we have," said Neyando, who has had a busy summer with long days at his government job, working on the band and finding time to be a father.
"We're here to help," said Neyando. "It took a lot of work to get in here."
He invites members to come by the new building, which is open 9-5 during the week, say hi and find out more.
Neyando also would like to acknowledge Northwest Water Company and Bob's Welding for their help and donations, as well as his council and staff for their work.
"I want all our members to come down and visit us," he said.
