Inuit youth speak through the N-Files
Inuit youth have come up with a new way of communicating what they think about how Nunavut should be built the N-Files. Attention teachers, students and others who want simple info about Nunavut!
ANNETTE BOURGEOIS
Young people in Nunavut finally have a voice in the development of the new territory.
Youth from the three regions of Nunavut are expressing their opinions through a project called “N-Files Project 136.”
Easy to understand info
The N-Files give young people easy-to-understand information about the upcoming Nunavut government. They’ve been distributed to community youth groups, schools, drop-in centres and hamlets throughout the Baffin, Kivalliq and Kitikmeot regions.
As well as providing information, the N-Files asks young people to respond to various proposals suggested by the Nunavut Implementation Commission. Youth have until January 18 to share their ideas on gender parity, two-member constituencies, the selection of a Nunavut premier and decentralization.
Youth had no input into either of the two Footprints reports that discussed the various issues that must be decided before the NWT will divide in April, 1999.
Jimi Onalik, youth co-ordinator for the Kivalliq Inuit Association, wants to make it clear that this project is not an attack on the process, which so far has practically excluded youth.
“There’s been a perception that this is all happening to criticize different organizations or the process, but it’s showing how these politically-organized youth groups can make a good contribution to the development of Nunavut. We’re not out to attack an individual organization, but to build a working relationship.”
Youth want to contribute
And Onalik said youth want to contribute to the discussions and are eager to be heard.
“I can’t read a mood yet, but there’s a consensus that there’s something to say, though I don’t know what that will be. There’s been no forum to express their views and no chance for any youth to say what they think of the Nunavut government.”
Distributed through the regions
Raurri Ellsworth, the youth co-ordinator for the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, said he’s distributed the N-Files to youth throughout the Baffin region.
He, like his counterpart in the Kitikmeot region, Bernice Lyall, are waiting for the responses.
After the responses are in, a Nunavut-wide youth report will then be written in Cambridge Bay later this month. It will be presented at a meeting of Nunavut leaders in early February.
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