Camp for Life near Iqaluit

Iqaluit community activists hope a special mass camping trip on the land this weekend will take a bite out of Nunavut’s growing number of suicides.

Mary Akpalialuk, who came up with the idea to host the event, said people can join the weekend of outdoor fun, as long as they show up this afternoon (Sept. 17) at 1:30 p.m. at the Arctic Winter Games arena to walk to the camping site near Apex.

There is no fee for the camp or any other expenses.

Anyone who misses the march to a valley near Apex can join the group over the weekend for activities like sewing and tanning caribou hide.

Akpalialuk said she was inspired to organize the event, called the Walk for Life, after a rash of six suicides in April, half of which were in Iqaluit.

“We decided we’ve got to do something about it and help people,” she said. “I’ve lost so many relatives to [suicide] since the ’80s.”

Capt. Ron McLean, who’s helping coordinate the event, said the weekend will help campers take a break from the hectic pressures of day-to-day life.

“Before, Inuit were living totally off the land, counting on one another,” he said. “Now you’ve got phones, and fax machines, and radio and TV, and alcohol and drugs are so prominent.

“This is going to be part of a healing process, encouraging each other to live for today.”

Organizers hope that event will build interest in creating a drop in program, especially for youth, where anyone can stop by and play games, practice sewing, or enjoy other activities. For information, phone 979-5595.