Next generation of leaders must respect elders’ sacrifices

To mark the 25th anniversary of the creation of Nunavut, Nunatsiaq News asked readers to describe what’s in store for the next 25 years.

What will Nunavut look like in 25 years? Being an Inuk, we go through so many obstacles and face a lot of challenges.

We often feel as if we do not have any help around us. When we need further treatment, we must fly out to the city so many times we must go alone without an escort, which could be risky and scary when it’s your first time going to the city. The city is not always friendly, especially in today’s world, there is often racism towards Inuit.

Being a child in school, you are taught the basics and dreams and hopes are piled up of what you want to be when you grow up, but as you adjust into becoming a young adult, you are confused with life and you feel like there is no more hope.

Living in Nunavut, there is no better treatment and often must go down to the city for diagnostic appointments.

What I dream of for the future is that the government could open a facility specially designed for mental health where there are wards for people who are seeking help. Have traditional tools and transportation for the people who are in treatment, for them to help the elders, to get fresh water, hunting that would be for the elders.

Have elders teach people how to sew, make traditional tools and relearn our first language and way of life as Inuit.

Right now we are still facing a housing crisis. What I want heard is that we need more single-family units because living in an apartment, people can be very disrespectful. Smoking weed in the house, partying and drinking, fighting and police officers being involved, I do not want children to see and have a bad example because that could end them up with trauma.

I hope Nunavut Next 25, the next generation issues that and take steps into consideration for fixing this issue.

I suggest Housing into looking into building homes instead of making more apartments.

I am very delighted to hear that Rankin Inlet is building an elders facility with 24 bedrooms. What I also heard is that elders who are unable to take care of themselves cannot get into the facility, which makes me wonder if the issue of sending elders to down south will continue.

I am hopeful the next generation takes leadership and acknowledges the fact that our elders sacrificed so much for us Inuit to be where we are now today. Nunavut would not have been a territory if it were not for our elders today.

We as the next 25 need to advocate for our fellow Inuuqatik and stand our ground and take the next big step to keep fighting for our rights, for our future, for the next generation and for our children and grandchildren that we will know we can look up to. Teach them our traditional ways, our first language and to make sure they know how far we have come and how strong we are.

I am optimistic for the Nunavut 25 and dream we will see more Inuit working for the Government of Nunavut. That we will have our own elders facility, better education, better housing, more Inuit doctors, and nurses.