A new voice for Nunavik’s youth

IQALUIT — Andy Moorehouse is determined to better the lives of Nunavik’s young people.

Moorehouse, the new president of Nunavik’s youth group, heard that the major concerns of youth in Nunavik include jobs and where to go in their free time.

These comments, which he heard in a recent tour of the region, gave the 21-year old president of Saputiit even more of an incentive to get youth centres built in all 14 of Nunavik’s communities.

“There’s a lack of places for youth to hang out, to socialize, do recreational activities or find a quiet place,” Moorehouse said.

Consider the situation in his home community of Inukjuak, population 1,500.

More than half the population is under 29, but right now the only space reserved for youth is a small building that has been used in the past as a restaurant, carving shop and warehouse.

“We’re not looking for a recreational complex,” Moorehouse said. “We’d just like a pool room and TV room.”

During his tour of Nunavik communities, young people told him they want Saputiit to concentrate on new opportunities, rather than on social problems. They see swimming pools as more of a need than counselling.

“Right now we’re not talking much about the issue of suicide,” Moorehouse said.

Breaking down the distances between youth from different communities in Nunavik is another challenge Moorehouse wants to tackle.

With a new $1.8 million operating budget from Quebec this year, and even more money in store next year, Moorehouse will be able to hire youth coordinators in every community.

These new coordinators, who will work with youth in their own communities, will also get badly-needed office equipment, such as telephones and computers, to communicate with each other.

The new money earmarked for Nunavik youth is part of a package promised after last year’s Quebec Youth Summit.

Saputiit is a member of Quebec’s regional association of youth groups and the National Inuit Youth Council.

As Saputiit’s president, Moorehouse also sits as a non-voting member on Makivik’s board, and other regional boards.

Not surprisingly, this experience with regional organizations is teaching Moorehouse leadership skills and giving him a taste for politics. Moorehouse has already run twice for the Makivik board.

He received just nine votes in his first try, but, when he ran again, he came in second place with 92 votes.

“It’s encouraging,” Moorehouse said.