City of Iqaluit’s sustainability plan needs your story

The city of Iqaluit’s community sustainability plan, now in the works, is calling on Iqalummiut to share their “story” about how they’d like to see the community grow. (PHOTO BY SARAH ROGERS)

The city of Iqaluit has begun developing a sustainable community plan to outline its vision for the next 50 years.

But city officials want the plan to be a “shared vision,” so they’re inviting Iqalummiut to take part in a storytelling activity that runs until the end of April, 2012.

“A sustainability plan…is an integrated plan that will guide our decisions and priorities based on the community’s vision of the next 50 years,” said a March 20 city news release.

“It is a plan for the entire community, and needs everyone’s insights and input to succeed. Everyone is encouraged to tell their story.”

To help inspire those stories, the city asks four questions:

– What things do you like about our community, and why? ;

– What would you like our community to be in the future? ;

– What change would you like to see, to make life better for Iqalummiut? ;

– How will you contribute to make our community more sustainable?

Iqaluit residents can pick up storytelling materials from city hall or download them at www.sustainableiqaluit.ca.

Then participants can send their input back by email at sustainableiqaluit@city.iqaluit.nu.ca or to the drop box at the city hall’s reception area.

Residents can also record their stories on voicemail at (867) 979-6363 ex. 232.

Ideas are welcome until the end of April, 2012.

Iqaluit’s community sustainability plan is a new document the city hopes to complete by 2013. It has been funded through the Green Municipal Fund (Federation of Canadian Municipalities.)

The city’s plan has been described as “an umbrella document,” designed to influence how municipal services are offered and how residents and other organizations operate in and around the community.

For more information, visit www.sustainableiqaluit.ca or contact the city’s sustainability coordinator Robyn Campbell at (867) 979-6363 ex. 232.