Qikiqtani Inuit Association offers $1,000 per family for COVID-19 relief
Inuit org reduces size of individual benefit to reach more people
The Qikiqtani Inuit Association’s Family Support Initiative is now worth $1,000 per family. (QIA graphic)
Inuit families in the Qikiqtani region can still apply for a new COVID-19 relief program called the Qikiqtani Family Support Initiative, worth $1,000 per family.
When first announced earlier this week, the benefit was worth more: $1,500 per family.
But because such a large number of people—more than 2,000—applied for it, QIA staff have reduced the payment to $1,000, so more people may get the benefit within the funds that are available.
“As a result, QIA is adjusting the grant to allocate $1,000 for each eligible household and allow an additional 884 Inuit families to receive this fund,” the organization said in a news release.
That means a total of 2,660 Qikiqtani Inuit families are eligible for the program.
This project is an expansion of a $2-million emergency initiative that QIA rolled out last April at the height of the pandemic’s first wave, QIA said in a news release. That money was doled out to help people harvest country food and practice social distancing out on the land.
The QIA is allocating an additional $2.65 million for the family support program. This time, the money is for harvesting country food, buying groceries and cleaning products, and buying sewing supplies to make warm winter clothes, QIA said.
“The overwhelming popularity of this initiative shows that our programs are in tune with the needs of Qikiqtani families during the COVID-19 pandemic,” QIA President P.J. Akeeagok is quoted as saying in the release.
Qikiqtani Inuit can apply for the program until Feb. 26, 2021, or until the fund runs out. You must be 16 years of age or older as of Feb. 6, 2021, to apply.
To find an application form, go to this page on the QIA website or phone 1-867-975-8400.
The money comes from QIA’s share of the federal government’s Indigenous Community Support Fund, which is worth about $4.3 million, with additional money comes from another federal fund aimed at handling surges in the numbers of people who need help.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, QIA will announce more relief measures in the coming weeks, the organization says.
Still giving my MONEY away? QIA will no longer own the land by next year! So, this is your last chance.
It says right there on the article that the money is from Indigenous Community Support Fund and from another fund to help those in need of help.
Are you a community? I doubt you need help as you can pay for data to read and comment here.
Only people of a certain income should have access to online banking, news, resources? That is discrimination.
This nothing to with land. QIA received money from Ottawa to support this program I believe.
Applying
I will apprciate it, if I could receive it for me and my family
There are federal funds available to almost everyone, if you are eligible then apply.
The islanders are lucky to be getting relief from their Inuit designated organization! We the people get zero here on the far west , the Inuit designated for us is too focused on industry and not for its people. All IIBA’s in the west is saved for the all weather road to Greys Bay so mining can begin right away according to our Inuit designate in the western part of Nunavut
I would like to apply
Hurry! It’s first come, first served, until the funds run out.
I’m down in WPG almost 6 weeks in isolation. Where is the application?
Nice to see QIA getting funding to pass on to the communities. I know many who will be happy to get it.
But if any of the people who used CERB but should not have you should ask for this money , then save this money so you will be able to pay back what you owe to the Feds in April.
I haven’t applied for any of this pendemic money funds how will I get all these applications?
it is a welcome turn to the people in the north baffin who have been put into harder places due to the lack of wildlife in the area, i have applied for it, and every penny will go to my household. there is an impact up here, it is being felt, it is harder to get animals in the area, including caribou, they should be on the rebound but they are not. fishing is actually getting harder too in some areaas near milne inlet. there is alot of rust coloured ice in the spring due to the stockpile, and milne inlet is notoriously windy, so it will get blown far. its good to see qia finally trying to help people in need.
Poor planning by QIA just another give away and not taking into consideration as to who really needs it. You can apply whoever Inuk you are rich or poor. How do you explain that to the funder the federal government who you are accountable to for this money. In my opinion, it should go to families who need it.
I would like to apply for the Covid 19 family relief fund if I am not too late.
if i’m not to late for family fondsprogram i’m trying to apply for it
If approved, How would the funding be delivered?