Rick Hansen’s foundation partners with ITK

Rick Hansen, the Canadian paralympian and fundraiser who has dedicated his life to helping people disabled by spinal cord injuries, recently visited Iqaluit — and now his foundation wants to build on the success of that visit to Nunavut.

The Rick Hansen Foundation and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami announced Oct. 26 that they’ve signed an agreement “to meaningfully engage Inuit in the activities of the foundation in a way that respects Inuit languages, traditions, protocols and cultures.”

“The 25th Anniversary of the Man In Motion World Tour is providing our foundation with a unique opportunity to build partnerships with organizations that share our vision of a healthier and more inclusive world,” Hansen said in a news release.

“The steps we have taken today with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami lead us closer to achieving this goal, and we are honoured to be working together to inspire and foster leadership among youth who have the power to be difference makers in their own communities, and engage ITK in our activities in a way that respects aboriginal languages, traditions, protocols and cultures.”

During his two-day visit to Iqaluit last month, Hansen met with local residents and honoured Naiomie Hanson-Akavak and Nicole Paniapakoochoo of Iqaluit as “difference makers” and designated them as “medal bearers” for his current cross-country relay.

In 2007, Hansen’s foundation made a five-year, $100,000 contribution to the Government of Nunavut to help Nunavummiut with mobility impairments pay for transportation, equipment, education and attendant care.

That money, which is administered by a multi-agency group called the Nunavut Solution Team, runs out later this fall, after the final $20,000 installment is paid out.

The new agreement between Hansen’s foundation and ITK will see the two groups working together on activities related to Inuit youth, accessibility and disability, inclusion, Inuit education, and health and wellness.

“I am very excited about this partnership,” said ITK president Mary Simon. “Rick Hansen’s Man In Motion cross-Canada Tour inspired me 25 years ago, and gave me hope that anything is possible when you put your mind to it. I’m honoured to be signing this protocol today on behalf of the Inuit of Canada. It’s my wish that our Inuit youth will be inspired and dare to dream big. With this protocol agreement ITK and the Rick Hansen Foundation want to energize our Inuit regions to take positive actions, and make healthy life choices to improve our own lives and our communities.”