Iqaluit resident starts fundraiser to support
John Amagoalik’s care in Nunavut
GoFundMe seeks $50,000, which would fund approximately 3 months of care
John Amagoalik, seen here in this file photo from Ottawa, wants to spend the rest of his days in Nunavut surrounded by his friends and family. His family wants the Government of Nunavut to fund his medical care and housing. (File photo by Jorge Antunes)
An online fundraiser is collecting money for the medical needs of John Amagoalik, revered by many as the “Father of Nunavut.”
Amagoalik, 78, had been residing at the Embassy West long-term care home in Ottawa after a surgery forced the partial amputation of one of his legs. He was lonely there, he has said, and eager to return to the territory he helped create through decades of land claim negotiations.
He returned in June, with money that his friends and family helped fundraise. That money is now running out after the territorial Health Department declined to fund the roughly $16,000 per month in medical support and housing costs he needs in order to live out his final days in his homeland.
Iqaluit resident Jessica Hale, who describes herself on GoFundMe as a qallunaaq that cares deeply about social justice, created the fundraiser and set a $50,000 target. If reached, the amount could cover about three months of his care.
“John Amagoalik dedicated more than 25 years of his life to creating Nunavut,” Hale wrote on her GoFundMe page.
The fundraiser, which had raised $2,600 as of Thursday morning, was created on Sept. 18.
Amagoalik has filed a civil suit against the department, seeking a judicial review of the Health Department’s decision not to fund his care.
Steve Kelliher, Amagoalik’s spokesperson, close friend and lawyer, said Hale is a friend of Anne Crawford, a seniors advocate in Iqaluit who is among those fundraising on Amagoalik’s behalf.
“I’ve been getting phone calls from people all over the country who want to contribute,” said Mark Stiles, another close friend of Amagoalik. He said he’s grateful to see that people are contributing to the GoFundMe.
“It’s an interim measure until the Government of Nunavut comes to its senses.”
His legal counsel is also requesting an urgent hearing through a separate court application, so that Amagoalik immediately be provided with medical care and housing.
1. What about all the Fathers and Mothers of Nunavut?
This is for one person and does not fix the issue of sending away our elders.
2. The money spent for Embassy in Ottawa, for one example, might be in the millions to use to fund our own buildings.
Reply to Father:
You are so right on both points.
There are many elders wanting to be in their home communities, and the Embassy money could provide for that transition.
Its a question of convincing the GN LTC that communities are capable of caring for most elders with proper supports and some training.
John is not the whole story, but he can be the leading edge when all other persuasion has failed.