Lack of volunteers hobbles Nunavik youth, women’s orgs

Pat Ekomiak, right, treasurer of the Saputiit Youth Association, speaks to regional councillors of the Kativik Regional Government in Kuujjuaq Sept. 12. Ekomiak told councillors that Saputiit is having trouble finding youth to fill staff and elected positions, which is preventing the organization from having quorum at meetings and coordinating events and activities. (PHOTO BY SARAH ROGERS)

KUUJJUAQ — Some Nunavik associations say they struggle to provide services to their members because they lack the volunteers to fill director positions on their boards.

Saputiit Youth Association’s treasurer, Pat Ekomiak, told regional councillors at this week’s meeting of the Kativik Regional Government council that his organization had to delay its Sept. 9 annual general meeting until November in order to fill positions on their boards.

Saputiit recently posted nine board positions that are up for election – including its president and executive secretary — but only had one interested candidate come forward, Ekomiak said.

“Knowing the number of youth in our communities, it’s very sad to see that nothing is being done,” he said. “I got into it wanting to create change and help youth move forward, but it’s hard to get youth involved.”

Saputiit represents the voice of youth aged 15 to 35 across Nunavik, while it is also mandated to develop and promote Inuit language and culture, stay-in-school and suicide prevention programs.

Ekomiak said that Saputiit should be capable of offering more programs and activities for youth to participate in.

But the lack of support has also meant the cancellation of the 2011 Qanak conference, which would have been the second run of the week-long youth conference.

All 14 Nunavik communities, plus Chisasibi, are meant to be represented on Saputiit’s board of directors.

But Ekomiak said that only two community representatives are actually active.

The community representative positions even come with an honourarium, he said, although Saputiit has been paying youth representatives whether they attend meetings or not.

“It’s hard to get youth running if they’re not interested,” said Ekomiak. “Sometimes they can be shy. I hope they’re not afraid to get up and ask for help.”

KRG chair Maggie Emudluk pledged to offer support to Saputiit, because “this is serious,” she said.

But it’s not only a problem among Nunavimmiut youth; in its presentation to the KRG meeting Sep. 12, Saturviit Women’s Association member Minnie Etidloie said that organization has its problems as well keeping its board and executive positions full.

Lizza Tukai, Saturviit’s president, recently resigned. Hers, as well as the roles of vice-president and treasurer are expected to be filled at Saturviit’s next meeting later this month.