Disabled person reports on meetings in Ottawa

By NUNATSIAQ NEWS

David Angnakak and Meeka Kilabuk went to a meeting in Ottawa last fall to find out about the treatment the Inuit in Nunavut receive on health. They did find out that the treatment being given to Inuit and Qallunaat is different.

2. Here are the people we met:

a) Electric wheelchair manufacturers.

b) We visited the orthapeadist who comes to Nunavut to find out how many people who have disabilities have been refused, accepted, or who have been on the waiting list for very long time.

3. We were really amazed with the blind business owner, Sheryl Lynn, and her employees, who are also blind. They have computers that type when a person talks, and answers when they talk. Blind people would be more prosperous with braille keyboards. The blind can do anything.

4. We tried to see the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada health representative, but they were not available. Their co-ordinator did tell Meeka and myself that there will be a representative from Nunavut. We decided to wait for that meeting. Meeka and I were the first ones to speak, but we did not stay until the end, because we had to attend other meetings. Thanks to ITC for giving us a chance to be at their meeting.

5. We finished a meeting at the deputy prime ministers’ office on how Inuit, especially the people with disabilities, are treated differently from other people. We were welcomed to these meetings, but it was difficult trying to get to their buildings.

6. I really enjoyed it when we were at the Canadian parliament. I thought that is how it will be with the Nunavut government with our grandchildren and great-grandchildren during their session. That is what I was thinking about when we were at their meetings.

7. I was happy with Meeka Kilabuk. She took the opportunity to talk to the person who looks after patients in Ottawa about Inuit patients’ meals. Meeka Kilabuk did explain our culture as Inuit.

I thank Meeka for preparing for our meetings, and I thank First Air for helping us with the airfare to and from Ottawa, and also to the crew for helping me.

David Angnakak
President
Nunavut Council for People with Disabilities

Translated from Inuktitut

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