Qikiqtani Inuit Association reopens bereavement travel subsidy
Kitikmeot Inuit Association to discuss reopening its program next week; no word on changes to Kivalliq Inuit Association’s program
The Qikiqtani Inuit Association has reinstated its compassionate and bereavement travel programs as COVID-19 restrictions ease across the region. (File photo by Meagan Deuling)
The Qikiqtani Inuit Association has reinstated a subsidy program that helps cover the cost of flights related to a family member’s death.
The association suspended its compassionate and bereavement travel programs at the end of April after the region saw an outbreak of COVID-19 cases.
The territorial government announced plans to ease restrictions across Nunavut on Tuesday, now that the territory has been free of COVID-19 cases for a week.
As a result, the QIA has reopened the programs as of June 29, the organization said in a news release.
The QIA’s bereavement travel program provides financial support to fly to attend a funeral or have a deceased family member’s remains shipped. The compassionate travel program helps cover travel costs to visit a terminally ill family member.
The Kitikmeot Inuit Association also suspended its bereavement and compassionate travel program in April.
KIA spokesperson Fred Pedersen said the organization is meeting next week in Taloyoak, where its members plan to discuss the potential reopening of the subsidy.
Nunatsiaq News was unable to reach the Kivalliq Inuit Association to get an update on whether it has made any changes to its bereavement and compassionate travel program during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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