Government stresses basic needs

Nunavut premier Eva Aariak used Nunavut's 10th anniversary on April 1 to table her government's priorities for the next five years, in a document called Tamapta or "Building our Future ­Together."

The slim, spiral-bound document outlines Nunavut's 10 priorities for the period between 2009 and 2013.

Aariak's government wants to:

• improve education and training;
• reduce poverty;
• increase community programs;
• increase housing options;
• increase support for culture and the arts;
• provide more help to Nunavummiut in distress;
• support more community-based, sustainable businesses;
• address social concerns;
• improve health and well-being; and
• defend Nunavut's interests globally.

A document grounded in people-oriented, concrete goals, Tamapta says "all Nunavummiut deserve to have their basic needs met."

These include:

• affordable, safe food, water and housing;
• a sense of belonging and purpose;
• family support and friendship;
• communication in the language of choice;
• personal responsibility;
• "pride in our culture;"
• protection of the environment and wildlife; and
• opportunities for fun, recreation and cultural activities.

In an introductory message to Tamapta, Aariak says her government will make a commitment to take "a firm stand against the things that are causing harm to people" and make positive, "manageable" changes.

Aariak also urges Nunavummiut to tell their MLAs what they think about the priorities to help her government produce a detailed action plan to implement Tamapta.