Feds pledge $19M in COVID-19 relief for Nunavut
Funds will support people in isolation, enforcement of public health measures and remote learning
The federal government announced Tuesday it will give the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. $19 million for COVID-19 relief. (Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay)
The federal government says it’s providing $19 million to the Nunavut government and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. for COVID-19 relief.
The “immediate support” was triggered by the ongoing outbreak in Iqaluit, and cases in Rankin Inlet and Kinngait that have since recovered, according to a news release issued by Indigenous Services Canada on Tuesday.
“This funding will help with everything from food security for communities with active cases to providing better IT equipment for students who need to do remote learning to additional health supports to protect people,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at a news conference Tuesday.
The Government of Nunavut will receive $7.1 million in federal funds to support people who are isolating, increase enforcement for public health measures, help Nunavut Arctic College implement distance learning, and support child care services.
The remaining $12.3 million will go to NTI to support food security, help pay for Inuit who need to isolate on the land or in hotels and for equipment to support internet access for college, elementary and high school students.
On Tuesday, Premier Joe Savikataaq reported there were 14 new COVID-19 cases in Iqaluit and nine recoveries.
There were 75 cases in the territory, all of which are in the capital.
So I guess only Inuit kids need help with remote learning?
Seriously. Why should all Nunavimuit be treated equal? Why make a point of saying
“help pay for Inuit who need to isolate on the land or in hotels and for equipment to support internet access for college, elementary and high school students.”
This is Nunavut, a part of Canada. If you’re going to give funding for. Those above noted things, then make it available to everyone.
You’re new here, aren’t you? The systemic racism in Nunavut is deep, deep, deep. It was created that way.
The Nunavut Land Claim Agreement -Article 4- clearly provided for a “public government” providing public services to all residents without regard to race, not a government and programs for Inuit and another government and programs for non Inuit. The architects of Nunavut realized it would make no sense in such a small territory as ours, where serving 25 communities in remote locations already makes government services very costly. They knew it would be ridiculous to have two schools and health centres fir Inuit and non Inuit in every community – that would be wasteful and divisive.
Current leadership in the federal government and Inuit organizations in Nunavut either do not understand this important historical fact and pledge to create a government serving all citizens made by all the parties to the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement or they have deliberately chosen to ignore the vision of the Inuit leaders who successfully negotiated the carving out of a new territory for the Inuit homeland from the NWT.
Why?
You should run for government! You seem to have a very good understanding of the historical creation of nunavut, and that’s what we need in this modern day. No one denies the historical systemic racism that existed, but much has been done to move forward and yet we still have those who are resisting progression. I’m sorry, you can’t go back to living like your ancestors did. And if you choose to, all the power to you! But then you won’t have the luxury of a house with running water and heat, internet or cellphone.
I wish people would accept that yes, Inuit have owned this land, but other races live here too. Just like everywhere else in Canada or the world, for that fact.
I have never seen so much opposite racism towards anyone who is not Inuit, mainly by Inuit themselves.
we are the truly Canadians, we did not chose to be but we were force to be Canadian, so we need help. There was a lady from Congo who ask for help with her 5 children’s because she can’t even speak English.
so this money is said to be for Iqaluit, and cases in Rankin Inlet and Kinngait…not all of Nunavut. 19,000,000.00 for approx 12,000 people ….Lets see the report of just how much will be paid out to actual cause. AND as for the rest of Nunavut I guess they don’t count unless they get covid cases.
The millions dollars given to Nunavut over the last year under the covid disguise has to be audited and reported. Too much of these dollars are hidden in organizations and not being spent on the needs of the people.
Why is this being allowed to be posted here, this is supposed to support and uplift people, isolating is making you crazy, seek mental health help. Sounds like you guys need it. Those of us truly trying to help and teach both elementary, middle and high school age kids at home are trying to do for how many teachers and subjects and it’s hard. No wonder some have given up, with this nagging and not trying to do anything. The more you make, the more you want or haven’t had anything to having some kind of income makes you like your all powerful, it’s an illusion. Grow up guys.